Lemon Chicken and Broccolini

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This Lemon Chicken with Broccolini is a light refreshing dinner pairing juicy chicken with a luscious lemon sauce.

This lemon chicken recipe is a fantastic stand-alone dinner, but sometimes we must add a few Parmesan Roasted Potatoes or some homemade Buttermilk Biscuits because you really can’t go wrong with them.

Cooked lemon chicken with broccolini on plate with lemon wedges.

We love this super simple broccolini recipe because it goes so well with just about any meat or protein, but the lemon chicken and homemade lemon sauce is AMAZING with it!

Lemon Chicken with Broccolini Recipe

This is a hearty family-sized dinner, or you can make it and save half for healthy, protein-filled leftovers another day.

I wanted chicken and broccoli with a little lemon similar to my Parmesan Crusted Chicken with a Creamy Lemon-Chive Sauce, but lighter and with fresh broccolini. Yum!

My favorite part is the garlic broth-based lemon sauce, but the capers and crushed red pepper are really what makes this dish pop.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s the basic list of ingredients you’ll need to make Broccolini and Lemon Chicken. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients located in the printable recipe card below.

Chicken Breasts – boneless skinless
Chicken Broth – low sodium
Lemon Juice – freshly squeezed is best
Capers – a nice tart flavor and added texture
Broccolini – washed and trimmed
Garlic – fresh minced AND powdered
Oregano
Paprika
Crushed Red Pepper – adds a nice kick of flavor!

Ingredients for lemon chicken and broccolini in glass bowls and plates on marble countertop.

How To Make Lemon Chicken and Broccolini

I’ll walk you through the steps of how to cook broccolini and the lemon chicken. It’s pretty straightforward, and I have tips to help you make it nice and juicy!

Prepare Chicken

Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet, rolling pin, or a heavy-bottomed pot. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and paprika.

Raw chicken with seasoning on ceramic plate.

PRO TIP: Pounding the chicken out thinner helps to both tenderize it and make sure it cooks evenly and stays juicy. Don’t skip this step!

Sear Chicken

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add in the olive oil. Once it’s nice and hot, add the chicken to the pan and sear it for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until it’s browned.

The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this point yet! Remove the chicken breast to a plate and cover lightly with foil to keep warm.

Browned chicken breast in metal frying pan.

PRO TIP: Searing the chicken so that it’s browned helps to create a nice depth of flavor and base to the lemon garlic sauce. Make sure the pan is nice and hot before cooking the chicken!

Make Pan Sauce

In the same skillet used for the chicken, sauté the minced garlic over medium/high heat for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Stir in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and capers. Use the spatula to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Pouring chicken broth into metal frying pan with garlic.

Cook Broccolini and Chicken

Add the broccoli to the skillet and then nestle the chicken breasts in between. Keep cooking until the broccolini turns a bright green and the chicken breasts reach an internal temperature of 165 ℉. This should be about 10 minutes.

Use an instant read meat thermometer to double check the temperature of the chicken.

Cooking chicken and broccolini in frying pan.

Garnish the chicken with the lemon wedges and a dash of crushed red pepper if desired.

Serve with a side of my Garlic Parmesan Rice or Air Fryer Potatoes for an easy, yet elegant meal.

Cooked chicken and broccolini in frying pan with lemon wedges and capers.

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

If you’re unable to locate broccolini, broccoli florets are a great substitution.
If you don’t love capers, you can omit them or replace them with something tangy like a few kalamata olives.
Add a few teaspoons of chopped fresh parsley for a nice pop of flavor and color!
If you want even MORE lemon flavor, add lemon zest on top of the chicken.

Make Ahead and Storage

Refrigerate: Once cooked and cooled, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-5 days.

To Freeze: Once cooled, transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Cooked chicken and broccolini in frying pan with lemon slices and capers.

Common Questions

How is Broccolini different than Broccoli?

Broccolini has longer, thinner stems that are more tender when cooked, along with smaller florets.
Broccoli has large flowering florets and shorter, thicker stems that are crisper to the bite when cooked.

What does Broccolini taste like?

It has a sweeter, more mild flavor than broccoli, which can taste slightly bitter when unseasoned.

Can I make lemon chicken with broccolini ahead of time?

Yes! This is an awesome dinner to meal prep, and it can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 5 days.

How can I make the lemon sauce thicker?

Add a Tablespoon of cornstarch to the chicken broth and mix well before adding to the skillet to cook.

More Delicious Easy Chicken Recipes

Having easy chicken dinner recipes on hand is definitely necessary for busy weeks! Here are a few of the ways our family likes to have chicken.

I can’t wait for you to give this easy Lemon Chicken and Broccolini recipe a try. I know you’re going to love it!

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