Name: Creamy Lemon-Basil Chicken
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken cutlets (4 cutlets); 0.5 teaspoon salt; 0.5 teaspoon ground pepper; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided; 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 1.25 cups unsalted chicken broth; 3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, cut into pieces; 1 small lemon, thinly sliced and seeds removed; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish

Creamy Lemon-Basil Chicken

4.3

(3)

3 Reviews

This ultra-quick creamy lemon-basil chicken is bright and refreshing. Using whole lemon slices in the sauce gathers the essential oils from the rind plus the acidic punch from the flesh and adds more depth of flavor than juice and zest alone.

Julia Levy

Published on March 9, 2023

Reviewed by Dietitian

Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

a recipe photo of the Creamy Lemon-Basil Chicken served in a skillet — Photo: Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Active Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

20 mins

Servings:

Nutrition Profile:

Egg Free Gluten-Free Low Carbohydrate Low-Calorie Nut-Free Soy-Free

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

1 pound chicken cutlets (4 cutlets)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 ¼ cups unsalted chicken broth
3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, cut into pieces
1 small lemon, thinly sliced and seeds removed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish

Directions

Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until bubbling. Add the chicken; cook until browned and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
Return the pan to medium heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and swirl to coat. Add garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add cream cheese; cook, stirring constantly, until melted and thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in lemon slices and basil. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan; simmer over medium heat until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken, about 4 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

236	Calories
12g	Fat
2g	Carbs
29g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 cutlet & about 3 Tbsp. sauce
Calories 236
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 2g	1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 29g	58%
Total Fat 12g	15%
Saturated Fat 6g	30%
Cholesterol 96mg	32%
Vitamin A 428IU	9%
Vitamin C 4mg	4%
Folate 4mcg	1%
Vitamin K 7mcg	6%
Sodium 483mg	21%
Calcium 35mg	3%
Iron 1mg	6%
Magnesium 4mg	1%
Potassium 57mg	1%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.