Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken

This lemon Parmesan chicken recipe is an “easy, yet impressive, dish to accomplish,” according to recipe tester Barrett Heald. 

Creamy Lemon Parmesan Chicken Ingredients

These are the ingredients you’ll need to make this creamy Parmesan chicken recipe at home: 

• Cheese: Of course, you’ll need Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best). You’ll also need mascarpone (or cream cheese) for the rich sauce. 
• Flour: Dredge the chicken in all-purpose flour before you brown it for the crispiest results. 
• Chicken: Eight boneless skinless chicken thighs will make four servings. 
• Seasonings: Simply season the chicken with salt and black pepper. 
• Oil: Brown the chicken in olive oil. 
• Garlic: Three cloves of garlic add bold flavor. 
• Broth: Use store-bought or homemade chicken broth. 
• Lemon: This creamy chicken recipe uses every part of the lemon, from the zest to the juice. You’ll also garnish each serving with lemon wedges. 
• Cornstarch: Make a slurry with cornstarch and water to thicken the sauce. 
• Herbs: Garnish each serving with fresh basil or oregano for a pleasant pop of color. 

How to Make Lemon Parmesan Chicken

You’ll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you make creamy lemon Parmesan chicken: 

1. Mix ¼ cup of the Parmesan with flour and season the chicken. 
2. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture. 
3. Brown the chicken on all sides, remove from the skillet, and cook the garlic in oil. 
4. Mix the broth, mascarpone, lemon zest and juice, and remaining Parmesan. 
5. Add the mixture to the skillet and bring to a boil. 
6. Make a cornstarch slurry and whisk into the broth mixture. 
7. Return the chicken to the skillet and cook until it’s no longer pink.
8. Garnish with fresh oregano and serve with lemon wedges.

Test Kitchen Tips

This recipe was developed in our test kitchen. Check out some tips and tricks from culinary experts that might make the cooking process easier: 

• One medium lemon will provide a teaspoon lemon zest and three tablespoons of lemon juice. 
• It’s easier to remove the zest from a lemon before juicing the fruit.
• A microplane zester allows you to shred tiny, uniform pieces of lemon peel faster and with less pressure than a regular grater or citrus zester.

What to Serve With Lemon Parmesan Chicken

“This would be great with a crunchy green salad,” says recipe developer Juliana Hale. 

Our test kitchen experts recommend serving the creamy lemon Parmesan chicken over cooked bowtie pasta or rice if you like. For more delicious inspiration, explore our collection of Best Side Dishes for Chicken, No Matter How You Cook It.

How to Store Lemon Parmesan Chicken

Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave, on the stove, or in the oven. 

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams