Lemon Chicken

After a busy semester, I am home for Christmas, eager to take a break from the dining halls and get back into the kitchen. One of the first meals I made was this Lemon Chicken, a simple recipe that looks and tastes elegant. My family ate the chicken alongside steamed broccoli, brown rice, and salad, but it would go with almost any side starch or vegetable.

Lemon Chicken: Pretty and Pretty Easy

Lemon Chicken
Serves 8

Ingredients:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup lemon juice
8 lemon slices
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Garnish: lemon slices

Directions:
1.  Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise.  Place chicken between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; flatten to 1/4 inch thickness, using a rolling pin or flat side of a meat mallet. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge chicken in flour, shaking off excess.

2.  Melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook half of chicken in skillet 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer chicken to a serving platter, and keep warm. Repeat procedure with 1 tablespoon butter and remaining olive oil and chicken.

3.  Add broth and lemon juice to skillet, and cook 1 to 2 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of skillet. Add 8 lemon slices.

4. Remove skillet from heat; add parsley and remaining 2 tablespoons butter, and stir until butter melts. Pour sauce over chicken. Serve immediately. Garnish, if desired.

*Recipe adapted from Southern Living 

Carolyn Green

Carolyn Green believes in secret ingredients, striped aprons, and serving breakfast for dinner. A rising senior at the University of Notre Dame, Carolyn is a design and art history major who loves both tailgating and taking afternoon tea. Besides cooking, she enjoys running, traveling, and writing. Have a question, comment, or request? Send Carolyn a note at cgreen9@nd.edu.

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