Light Lemon Chicken
Light Lemon Chicken offers a zesty, flavorful dish with tender chicken breasts infused with lemon and tarragon, perfect for a bright and satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Melt 1 tablespoon margarine in a skillet.
- Add chicken breasts and brown for 3 minutes on each side.
- Add chicken broth, lemon peel, tarragon, and lemon juice to the skillet.
- Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the chicken is no longer pink, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove chicken to a serving dish.
- Melt 1/2 tablespoon margarine in the skillet, stir in flour, and add the juices from the chicken.
- Bring to a boil and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken in lemon juice and tarragon for an hour before cooking. If you don’t have margarine, butter or olive oil can be used as a substitute. To intensify the lemon flavor, use fresh lemon juice and zest instead of bottled. You could also try adding capers for a briny kick, which complements chicken recipes well.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Light Lemon Chicken over a bed of rice or alongside steamed vegetables for a balanced meal. It pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad dressed in vinaigrette. For a heartier option, consider serving it with roasted potatoes or a side of quinoa. This dish can also be complemented by a light white wine for a refreshing touch.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When reheating, do so gently in a skillet over low heat or in the microwave on medium power to avoid drying out the chicken. Adding a splash of chicken broth while reheating can help keep the chicken moist.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Light Lemon Chicken contains roughly 636 calories, with 23g protein, 7g carbohydrates, and 58g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (46% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 467mg per serving (20% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?
Yes, you can use bone-in chicken, but the cooking time will increase. Make sure to cook it until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) to ensure it's fully cooked. Adjust the simmering time accordingly, as it may take longer for the chicken to cook through.
What can I use instead of chicken broth?
If you don’t have chicken broth, vegetable broth or even water can be used as a substitute. For more depth of flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine or a teaspoon of soy sauce to the water to mimic the savory notes of chicken broth.
Is there a way to make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, you can easily make this dish gluten-free by substituting the flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch for thickening the sauce. Just be sure to check that the chicken broth you use is also gluten-free to maintain the integrity of the dish.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).