Ultimate One-Pan Lemon Parmesan Chicken is a culinary masterpiece featuring perfectly crispy chicken, tender charred lemony green beans, and an optional, yet highly recommended, lemon butter sauce that truly elevates this dish to gourmet status!

One-Pan Lemon Parmesan Chicken: Your New Go-To Dinner

Imagine a restaurant-quality meal, bursting with vibrant flavors, that comes together effortlessly in a single pan. Our One-Pan Lemon Parmesan Chicken is precisely that—a culinary masterpiece disguised as a weeknight wonder. This incredible dish features succulent chicken breasts, perfectly breaded for an irresistible crispy exterior without the fuss of deep-frying or complex ingredients like Panko. Paired with tender, charred green beans infused with bright lemon, and crowned with an optional, yet highly recommended, silky lemon butter sauce, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a meal that’s as delicious as it is easy to prepare.

This isn’t just another chicken recipe; it’s a game-changer for anyone seeking gourmet flavors with minimal cleanup. Every component of this dish is designed to complement the others, creating a harmonious symphony of taste and texture. From the satisfying crunch of the lightly coated chicken to the subtle bitterness and zest of the charred lemon slices and the perfectly cooked green beans, each bite is a testament to simple ingredients prepared brilliantly. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting your culinary journey, this one-pan Lemon Parmesan Chicken promises a hassle-free cooking experience and a truly memorable meal.

Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Lemon Parmesan Chicken

There are countless reasons why this Lemon Parmesan Chicken will become a staple in your meal rotation:

• Unbeatable Flavor Profile: The harmonious blend of zesty lemon, rich Parmesan, fragrant garlic, and a hint of paprika creates a robust yet balanced taste that appeals to all palates. The optional lemon butter sauce further amplifies this, adding an incredible depth of flavor.
• Effortless One-Pan Cooking: Embrace the convenience of a meal that requires only one skillet from start to finish. This significantly cuts down on cleanup time, allowing you to spend less time scrubbing dishes and more time savoring your delicious creation. It’s the ultimate solution for busy weeknights.
• Crispy Perfection, No Deep Frying Needed: Achieve that coveted golden-brown, crispy chicken exterior without the mess and unhealthy aspects of deep-frying. Our simple dredging technique combined with pan-frying delivers a satisfying crunch that will surprise and delight.
• Wholesome and Balanced Meal: This dish is not only delicious but also nutritious. With lean protein from the chicken and essential vitamins from the green beans, it’s a complete meal that can easily be adapted to various dietary needs.
• Quick Preparation for Busy Lives: Designed with efficiency in mind, this recipe can be on your table in under an hour. It’s perfect for those evenings when time is short but you still crave a homemade, gourmet-quality dinner.

Key Ingredients for Lemon Parmesan Chicken

Crafting the perfect Lemon Parmesan Chicken begins with selecting quality ingredients. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need, along with tips for the best results:

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal. To ensure fast and even cooking, slice them thinly (if thick) and pound them to a uniform 1/4-inch thickness. This prevents dry spots and promotes an irresistibly crispy crust. Aim for about 6 manageable pieces from two standard breasts.
• All-Purpose Flour: This acts as the essential binder for our seasoning and Parmesan, creating a light, crisp coating that turns golden perfection when pan-fried.
• Parmesan Cheese: For unparalleled flavor and texture, always use freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-grated varieties often contain anti-caking agents that can affect how the cheese melts and diminish its rich, nutty taste.
• Paprika: More than just for color, paprika adds a subtle warmth and a touch of smokiness that beautifully complements the other flavors in the dish.
• Garlic Powder: A convenient way to infuse deep garlic flavor without the risk of fresh garlic burning in the pan. It enhances the aroma and savory notes of the chicken.
• Olive Oil: Divided for both coating the chicken and sautéing. A good quality olive oil is fundamental to achieving the desired crispiness and rich flavor in the breading.
• Unsalted Butter: Used for pan-frying the chicken and as a base for the optional lemon butter sauce. Opt for unsalted butter to maintain precise control over the dish’s seasoning.
• Green Beans: Fresh green beans, trimmed and halved, are the perfect vibrant accompaniment. They cook quickly and absorb the delicious pan drippings. Look for firm, bright green beans.
• Lemons: The heart of this recipe! You’ll utilize both the tangy juice and fragrant zest from fresh lemons. The bright, authentic flavor of fresh lemon is irreplaceable by bottled alternatives.

Optional Lemon Butter Sauce: While the Lemon Parmesan Chicken is fantastic on its own, this simple yet sophisticated sauce takes it over the top. It features nutty brown butter, fresh garlic, vibrant parsley, and a generous squeeze of lemon, drizzled beautifully over the chicken and beans for an exquisite finish.

How To Make Lemon Parmesan Chicken: Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting this culinary delight is surprisingly straightforward, thanks to its one-pan methodology. Follow these detailed step-by-step instructions for a flawless Lemon Parmesan Chicken dinner:

1. Prepare the Chicken (The Foundation of Crispiness): Begin by preparing your chicken breasts. If they are thick, carefully slice each breast horizontally into two or three thinner cutlets. Place these chicken pieces between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a large resealable bag. Using a meat mallet or a rolling pin, pound them gently but firmly to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. This crucial step ensures quick and consistent cooking, preventing dry spots and promoting that sought-after crispy crust. In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, freshly grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder, mixing thoroughly to create your dredging mixture. Drizzle the pounded chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ensuring both sides are lightly coated. Then, dredge each piece generously in the flour mixture, patting gently to ensure an even and firm coating. Set the coated chicken aside on a clean plate.
2. Pan-Fry the Chicken (Achieving Golden Perfection): Heat a large, nonstick skillet (a 12-inch pan works best for this one-pan meal) over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to the skillet. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, carefully place half of the coated chicken pieces into the hot skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on the first side until they develop a beautiful golden-brown and crispy crust. Flip the chicken and cook for another 1-2 minutes on the second side, or until cooked through (an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate and loosely cover it with aluminum foil to keep it warm while you cook the remaining chicken. Add a little more oil if needed for the second batch of chicken.
3. Char the Lemons (A Burst of Brightness): Using the same skillet, thinly slice one of your fresh lemons. Add the lemon slices to the hot pan and cook for approximately 1 minute per side, or until they soften slightly and develop a delicate char. This charring process subtly mellows the lemon’s acidity and intensifies its natural sweetness, releasing fragrant essential oils. Remove the charred lemon slices and set them aside with the cooked chicken.
4. Sauté the Green Beans (Tender-Crisp & Flavorful): Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to the skillet. Increase the heat to high. Add your trimmed and halved green beans, along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss the beans to coat them in the butter and the flavorful pan drippings left from the chicken and lemons. Allow them to cook undisturbed for about 3 minutes to achieve a nice char on one side. Then, stir occasionally for another 1-3 minutes, or until the green beans are crisp-tender and beautifully charred. The charring adds a wonderful smoky depth of flavor that enhances the entire dish.
5. Assemble and Serve (The Grand Finale): Once the green beans are cooked to perfection, remove the pan from the heat. Return the cooked chicken pieces and the charred lemon slices to the skillet, arranging them artfully on top of the green beans. Squeeze the juice from the remaining fresh lemon generously over the entire dish. For an extra touch of indulgence and flavor, sprinkle with additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately, either on its own or with the optional lemon butter sauce drizzled over everything. Enjoy your homemade, gourmet masterpiece!

Pro Tips for Achieving Lemon Parmesan Chicken Perfection

Transform a good meal into a truly unforgettable one with these expert tips and tricks:

• Pound Your Chicken Evenly: This is a non-negotiable step for success! Pounding the chicken to an even 1/4-inch thickness ensures uniform cooking and guarantees that every piece will crisp up beautifully without drying out. If you don’t own a meat mallet, a heavy rolling pin or even the bottom of a sturdy pan (covered in plastic wrap) works wonders.
• Always Opt for Fresh Lemon Juice: The difference between fresh and bottled lemon juice is substantial. Fresh lemon provides a brighter, more aromatic, and less artificial tang that is crucial to the dish’s vibrant and authentic flavor profile. Don’t compromise on this essential ingredient!
• Avoid Overcrowding the Pan: When pan-frying the chicken, cook it in batches to prevent overcrowding the skillet. An overcrowded pan lowers the temperature, leading to steamed chicken rather than perfectly crispy, golden-brown pieces. Give your chicken ample space to breathe and crisp up.
• Embrace the Char on Green Beans: Resist the urge to constantly stir the green beans. Allowing them to sit undisturbed for a few minutes on high heat helps them develop a delicious char. This char adds a fantastic smoky flavor and a desirable tender-crisp texture that complements the chicken perfectly.
• Brown Butter with Utmost Care for the Sauce: If you’re making the optional lemon butter sauce, keep a vigilant eye on the butter as it browns. It can transition from a beautiful nutty golden to burnt in a matter of seconds. Using a light-colored pan makes it easier to monitor the color change. The moment it turns a rich amber and smells nutty, remove it from the heat immediately and transfer to a separate bowl.
• Keep Cooked Chicken Warm: As you proceed with cooking the green beans, ensure your already cooked chicken remains warm. Loosely cover the plate of chicken with aluminum foil. This simple step guarantees that everything is served at the ideal temperature.
• Freshly Grated Parmesan Makes All the Difference: Similar to fresh lemon, freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts superiorly and offers a far richer, more complex flavor compared to pre-shredded varieties, which often contain anti-caking agents.
• Taste and Adjust Seasoning Liberally: Always taste your food as you go! Adjust salt, pepper, and lemon juice to your personal preference before serving. A final squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before plating can truly brighten and finish the entire dish.

What To Serve Alongside Your Lemon Parmesan Chicken

This versatile Lemon Parmesan Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes, making it effortless to create a complete and satisfying meal:

• Fluffy Rice or Quinoa: A bed of plain white rice or nutritious quinoa is absolutely perfect for soaking up any extra lemon butter sauce and the flavorful pan juices, ensuring no delicious drop is left behind.
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: For a truly comforting and indulgent experience, serve this chicken with a generous dollop of creamy mashed potatoes. The rich, smooth texture of the potatoes beautifully balances the bright, tangy flavors of the chicken and beans.
• Warm Dinner Rolls: Don’t let any of that incredible sauce go to waste! Crusty dinner rolls or a fresh baguette are excellent for sopping up every last drop of the lemon butter goodness and pan juices.
• Simple Garden Salad: If you’re seeking a lighter accompaniment, a fresh, crisp garden salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken, cleansing the palate with every bite.
• Roasted Asparagus: For an extra boost of complementary greens, roasted asparagus spears tossed with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper make a fantastic and elegant vegetable side dish.

Delicious Variations & Substitutions

While this Lemon Parmesan Chicken recipe is perfect as is, it’s also wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to customize it to your taste or what you have on hand. Feel free to experiment with these delicious variations and substitutions:

• Change Up the Vegetables: Instead of green beans, consider sautéing other quick-cooking vegetables. Asparagus spears, broccoli florets, or even thinly sliced bell peppers would work beautifully. Adjust cooking times as needed to ensure they are crisp-tender and charred to your liking.
• Enhance with More Herbs: Fresh herbs can add another layer of aromatic complexity. Finely chopped fresh thyme, rosemary, or oregano can be added to the flour dredging mixture for extra flavor, or simply sprinkled over the finished dish as a garnish.
• Add a Spicy Kick: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes can be incorporated into the flour mixture, or stirred into the lemon butter sauce to give the dish a pleasant spicy zing.
• Try Chicken Thighs: If you prefer dark meat, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts. Remember to adjust the cooking time, as thighs typically require a bit longer to cook through thoroughly. Pound them to an even thickness just as you would the breasts.
• Gluten-Free Option: To make this recipe suitable for a gluten-free diet, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Always ensure that your Parmesan cheese is also certified gluten-free, as some brands may contain additives.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: For a dairy-free version, use a plant-based butter alternative and a good quality dairy-free Parmesan substitute. The texture and flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

More Delicious Chicken Dinners You’ll Love

If you’re a fan of flavorful and easy chicken recipes, be sure to explore these other fantastic options:

• Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs: A mouthwatering recipe that can be made conveniently in your slow cooker or pressure cooker for tender, flavorful results.
• Chicken Rice Bowl: A vibrant and satisfying bowl packed with delicious chicken and a truly irresistible sauce.
• Teriyaki Chicken Salad: A light yet flavorful salad featuring savory teriyaki chicken and a super easy, 3-ingredient homemade dressing.
• Crispy Chicken Meatballs: Tender on the inside with a wonderfully crispy exterior, these chicken meatballs are a crowd-pleaser.
• Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup: A comforting and hearty soup, brimming with tender chicken, wholesome orzo pasta, and plenty of fresh vegetables.

Lemon Parmesan Chicken Recipe Card

For your convenience, here is the full recipe for our amazing One-Pan Lemon Parmesan Chicken. Please note this is a static representation of the recipe details.

Lemon Parmesan Chicken

By Chelsea Lords

Lemon Parmesan Chicken packs crispy chicken, lemon-kissed beans, and an optional lemon butter sauce—all in one easy, flavor-packed pan!

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Equipment

• Large nonstick pan (12-inch recommended)
• Aluminum foil

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 6 pieces, 2 breasts total)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated for best results)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus more as needed, fine sea salt recommended)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground is best)
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
• 3 cups green beans (trimmed and cut in half lengthwise)
• 2 fresh lemons
• Lemon butter sauce (optional, see recipe notes)

Instructions

1. Prepare Lemon Butter Sauce (Optional): If opting for the lemon butter sauce, prepare it first according to the notes below and set aside.
2. Prep Chicken & Dredge: In a shallow bowl, combine flour, Parmesan, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Cut each chicken breast into 3 pieces. Place chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to 1/4-inch thickness. Rub 1 tbsp olive oil over chicken, then dredge in flour mixture until evenly coated.
3. Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tbsp oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook half the chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Repeat with remaining chicken, adding more oil if necessary.
4. Cook Lemons: Thinly slice 1 lemon. Add slices to the skillet and cook for 1 minute per side until softened and lightly charred. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
5. Sauté Green Beans: Add remaining 1 tbsp butter to the skillet and increase heat to high. Add green beans, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Toss to coat, then cook undisturbed for 3 minutes to char. Stir occasionally for another 1–3 minutes until crisp-tender.
6. Assemble & Serve: Return chicken and charred lemon slices to the skillet, arranging them over the green beans. Drizzle generously with fresh lemon juice from the second lemon. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately with the optional lemon butter sauce and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Lemon Butter Sauce

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice plus zest
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon finely minced parsley

Preparation: Place the diced butter in a light-colored, wide saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until it turns golden brown and develops a nutty aroma (approximately 3 minutes). Watch very carefully to prevent burning. Remove immediately from heat and scrape all the browned butter into a separate bowl. Whisk in the lemon juice and zest, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and minced parsley. Set aside until ready to use.

Storage

For the crispiest results, enjoy the chicken hot, as its crispiness diminishes over time. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in an air fryer for best texture to regain some crispness.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

• Serving: 1 serving
• Calories: 450 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 20.4 g
• Protein: 29.8 g
• Fat: 29.5 g
• Cholesterol: 123.6 mg
• Sodium: 413.6 mg
• Fiber: 2.8 g
• Sugar: 5.6 g

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