Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skillet

Ingredients

• 12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter(optional)
• 1/4 cup chicken broth(optional)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep (10 minutes): Pat chicken dry and slice into 2 thin cutlets if needed for even cooking. Mince garlic. Zest and juice the lemon; set zest/juice aside.

2. 2

   Cook (18 minutes): Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and (if using) Italian seasoning. Pan-sear until golden and cooked through, 4–6 minutes per side depending on thickness.

3. 3

   Finish sauce (within the cook time): Reduce heat to medium. Add butter (if using) and garlic; cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Stir in chicken broth (if using) and lemon juice, scraping up browned bits.

4. 4

   Toss and serve: Turn off heat. Add Parmesan and lemon zest; toss chicken in the glossy sauce until evenly coated and melted. Taste and adjust salt/pepper, then serve immediately.