Description
Lemon Pecorino Chicken is a flavorful Italian-American dish featuring tender boneless chicken breasts cooked in a creamy, tangy lemon sauce enriched with Pecorino Romano cheese and fresh garlic. This skillet-cooked recipe is quick and easy, perfect for a satisfying family dinner that pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Evenly season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to enhance the flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 5 to 6 minutes per side until they are golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest while scraping up any browned bits from the pan to build flavor.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and unsalted butter, letting the sauce gently simmer and combine.
- Add Cheese to the Sauce: Stir in the grated Pecorino Romano cheese until it melts completely and creates a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the sauce over them, and let simmer for an additional 3 to 4 minutes to heat through.
- Serve and Garnish: Garnish the finished dish with chopped fresh parsley before serving to add a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Pecorino Romano cheese for the best flavor and melting quality; Parmesan is a suitable substitute if needed.
- Serve the dish with pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables to soak up the delicious creamy lemon sauce.
