There’s something irresistible about the zing of fresh lemon paired with a peppery kick—that’s exactly why this Lemon Pepper Chicken Skillet Recipe has become a favorite in my weekly rotation. It’s quick, flavorful, and delivers that cozy, comforting feeling while still tasting fresh and bright.

Four cooked golden brown chicken pieces with a grainy texture of black pepper and minced garlic sit in a light brown sauce inside a white pot. Thin lemon slices and a few lemon wedges with bright yellow skin and translucent pale yellow flesh are placed around and on top of the chicken. The white pot has a black rim and thick handles, and it rests on a white marbled surface. A small bowl of black pepper and a plate with extra lemon wedges are partly visible in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Lemon Pepper Chicken Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Lemon Pepper Chicken Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this lemon pepper chicken skillet recipe quickly became a go-to for me because it hits all the marks—simple ingredients, fast cooking, and big flavor impact. It’s proof that you don’t need a complicated setup to make dinner feel special.

Speedy and Easy: You’ll have a delicious dinner on the table in about 15 minutes—perfect for busy evenings.
Bright, Tangy Flavor: The lemon juice and zest brighten up the rich buttery sauce, keeping the dish light yet satisfying.
Golden-Crisp Chicken: Arrowroot powder (or flour) creates a beautiful crust that's so satisfying to bite into.
Minimal Ingredients: What you’ll use is straightforward and usually already in your pantry, which means less prep and fuss.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Lemon Pepper Chicken Skillet Recipe truly comes down to balancing fresh lemony brightness with the warmth of cracked black pepper and butter. Every ingredient plays its part perfectly, and I always recommend using fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor punch.

Flat lay of two large raw chicken breasts with natural texture and pink hue, a small mound of pale arrowroot powder on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl filled with coarse lemon pepper seasoning, a few crystals of kosher salt scattered on a simple white dish, a small white bowl with golden extra virgin olive oil, a small white bowl holding creamy unsalted butter cubes, two whole uncracked garlic cloves with papery skins intact, a small white bowl with freshly squeezed bright yellow lemon juice, a lemon half with vibrant yellow flesh and a few lemon slices, a small white bowl with light golden low-sodium chicken broth, a small pile of finely grated lemon zest on a white ceramic saucer, and a small bunch of fresh curly parsley sprigs arranged neatly—all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breasts: Slicing them horizontally helps them cook evenly and quickly, plus it means more crispy edges!
Arrowroot powder (or flour): This is key for that golden sear and slight crisp—don’t skip it! Arrowroot gives a cleaner crust if you want gluten-free.
Lemon pepper seasoning: The star flavor—make sure your seasoning is fresh for maximum zip.
Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors naturally without overwhelming.
Extra virgin olive oil: Adds fruitiness and ensures a great sear without burning.
Unsalted butter: For that rich, silky sauce that beautifully carries the lemon and garlic flavors.
Garlic cloves: Fresh minced garlic makes the sauce aromatic and irresistible.
Lemon juice and zest: Both are necessary—the juice for acidity, zest for intense lemon aroma.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Adds depth to the sauce without making it salty.
Optional garnish: Parsley freshens things up visually and balances flavor; lemon slices add charm and extra zest.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this lemon pepper chicken skillet recipe depending on the season or my mood. Adding veggies right into the pan or swapping the chicken for turkey cutlets are some simple ways I keep it fresh and exciting.

Variation: One time, I stirred in some capers and fresh thyme at the end for a slightly Mediterranean spin—I was obsessed with the bright herbal notes!
Spicy kick: Feel free to add crushed red pepper flakes along with the lemon pepper to turn up the heat subtly.
Low-carb option: Serve over cauliflower rice or sautéed spinach for a perfect low-carb meal.
Make it a one-pan meal: Try adding thinly sliced zucchini or bell peppers for a veggie boost in the same skillet.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Lemon Pepper Chicken Skillet Recipe

A white plate holds a meal with three main parts: a mound of white mashed potatoes on the left, a piece of golden-brown grilled chicken topped with a light brown sauce and small chopped bits in the center, and bright green asparagus spears on the right resting next to the chicken. Thin slices of yellow lemon are placed under the chicken and a lemon wedge decorates the top of it. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a silver fork on the left side touching the mashed potatoes. Around the plate are a white bowl with lemon slices on the upper left and a white bowl with yellow lemon zest on the lower right, plus a small black bowl of crushed black pepper near the bottom center. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Season Like a Pro

First, I slice each chicken breast horizontally—this helps get those juicy pieces cooking fast and evenly. Then, I mix my arrowroot powder, lemon pepper seasoning, and kosher salt in a small bowl. Pressing this seasoning mix into both sides of the chicken ensures every bite is packed with flavor right from the crust. Trust me, don’t be shy with the pressing — it sticks and sears beautifully.

Step 2: Sear to Golden Perfection

Heat up the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. When the oil shimmers, gently lay in the chicken and don’t touch it for about 3 to 4 minutes—that’s the secret to getting that gorgeous golden crust. Flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the internal temp hits 160-165°F. Remove it to a plate and let it rest for a moment.

Step 3: Whip Up the Lemony Garlic Sauce

Drop the butter into the same pan, and once it melts, toss in the minced garlic to saute just until fragrant—about 30 seconds is perfect. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those tasty browned bits. Let it simmer and reduce for a couple of minutes until it slightly thickens—this sauce is where the magic happens!

Step 4: Finish and Serve with Flair

Pop the chicken back into the skillet, spoon the luscious sauce right over the top, and sprinkle with fresh lemon zest. I always add a handful of chopped parsley and a few lemon slices for that fresh pop of color and flavor. It makes the dish look restaurant-worthy yet perfectly homey.

Top Tip

After making this lemon pepper chicken skillet recipe so many times, a few tricks really helped me get the best results every time—whether it’s for a quick weeknight or an impromptu dinner party.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Giving the chicken enough space lets it crisp up instead of steaming, so cook in batches if you need to.
Preheat Your Pan: A hot pan is critical for that golden sear; if the pan isn’t hot enough, the crust won’t develop properly.
Use Fresh Lemon: Bottled lemon juice just doesn’t compare—fresh juice and zest brighten the whole dish in a way that's truly noticeable.
Rest the Chicken: Letting the chicken rest a few minutes after cooking keeps it juicy and tender instead of drying out.

How to Serve Lemon Pepper Chicken Skillet Recipe

Lemon Pepper Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

My go-to garnish is freshly chopped parsley and thin lemon slices—they add a fresh herbal note and brighten up the plate visually. Sometimes I also like to sprinkle a little extra lemon zest right before serving for that zesty punch that instantly wakes up your taste buds.

Side Dishes

For sides, I’m partial to roasted asparagus or green beans tossed with almond slivers, which keep things light and fresh. Mashed potatoes or creamy polenta are fantastic if you want something cozy and soothing to soak up the sauce. Simple garlic butter rice is another winner that pairs so well with the sauce’s citrus punch.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, I served this recipe on a beautiful wooden board with roasted fingerling potatoes and a drizzle of extra sauce in little ramekins. Adding microgreens and edible flowers turned it into such a stunning dish for a weekend dinner party—trust me, your guests will be impressed!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover lemon pepper chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure to pour any extra sauce over the chicken before storing to help keep it moist—this little trick totally saves leftovers from drying out.

Freezing

This recipe freezes pretty well! I let the chicken cool completely, then wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in freezer bags. When I’m ready, I thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently—this way, the texture stays nice and not rubbery.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming the chicken gently over low heat in a skillet with a splash of water or extra chicken broth to keep things moist. Microwaving works if you’re pressed for time, but heating slowly on the stove really keeps that buttery sauce luscious and the chicken tender.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Lemon Pepper Chicken Skillet Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicier and will lend a richer flavor. Just make sure to adjust cooking times slightly since thighs might take a bit longer to cook through. Use the same seasoning and method for best results.

What’s the best way to get a crispy crust on the chicken?

The key is making sure your pan and oil are hot before adding the chicken, and not overcrowding the pan. Pressing the seasoning firmly onto the chicken also helps it stick and form that nice crust. Resist the urge to flip too soon!

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

I recommend making the sauce fresh because the garlic and lemon flavors are at their brightest, but you can prep the garlic and zest ahead. If you’re short on time, the sauce reheats well gently on the stove with a splash of broth.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! To make this Lemon Pepper Chicken Skillet Recipe gluten-free, just use arrowroot powder or a gluten-free flour instead of regular flour. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

This Lemon Pepper Chicken Skillet Recipe has been a trusty friend in my kitchen when I want fast but flavorful. It’s warming, bright, and so easy to pull together without fuss. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—and surprise yourself with how buttery and zingy chicken can taste with just a few simple steps. Give it a try, and soon it’ll feel like an effortless classic in your own home too.