Recipe: Easy, Creamy Lemon Garlic Skillet Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds total), pounded to 1/2-inch thickness

• 1/2 teaspoon 

  kosher salt, plus more for seasoning

• 1/4 teaspoon 

  freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning

• 1 tablespoon 

  olive oil

• 3 tablespoons 

  unsalted butter

• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• 4 cloves 

  garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons 

  all-purpose flour

• 1 cup 

  half-and-half or whole milk

• 1/2 cup 

  low-sodium chicken broth

• Juice of 1 medium lemon (about 3 tablespoons)

• 2 tablespoons 

  chopped fresh parsley leaves

• 1 small lemon, thinly sliced

Instructions

• Thoroughly dry the chicken with paper towels. Generously season all over with salt and pepper.

• Heat the oil in a 10-inch or larger skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Working in batches if needed, add the chicken and sear until deeply browned on the bottom, 6 to 7 minutes. Flip with tongs and sear the other side until browned, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate; set aside.

• Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. When melted, add the shallot, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until just starting to soften, about 1 minute. Add the flour, stir to evenly coat the shallots and garlic, and cook for 1 minute more.

• Stir in the half-and-half or milk and broth until no lumps from the flour remain, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pan and simmer until the sauce is thickened enough that it coats the back of a spoon and the chicken is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir the lemon juice into the sauce. Garnish with the parsley and lemon slices and serve immediately.