This Honey Lemon Chicken Skillet is a lifesaver on busy weeknights! With just a handful of ingredients and in less than 20 minutes, this one-pan chicken cutlet recipe delivers tender chicken in a delicious honey lemon sauce.
When it comes to quick and flavorful meals, I love turning to rich and robust ingredients, like honey and lemon.
Sweet honey and bright lemon combine to add flavor to everything from chicken cutlets, in this recipe for Honey Lemon Chicken to pork chops, ham, and salmon.
Reasons to Love Honey Lemon Chicken
- Quick-Cooking Dinner. Thanks to the thin cutlets and flavorful, simple pan sauce, this chicken skillet is ready in less than 20 minutes. I would argue that it is easier than driving through any drive-thru and certainly easier than running into a store to grab a frozen meal that you have to come home and cook.
- Minimal Ingredients. Because honey and lemon are so intensely flavored, this Honey Lemon Chicken Skillet only requires a handful of ingredients.
- Wholesome & Allergy Friendly. This recipe is low in fat, low in sodium, gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed with lean protein.
- Delicious. Tender chicken and a sweet and savory sauce make this chicken cutlet recipe memorable.
Notes on Ingredients & Equipment
- Chicken Cutlets: I recommend using thin chicken breast cutlets for this chicken skillet recipe. Because the chicken is thinly sliced it will cook quickly, remain tender, and have an ample sauce-to-chicken ratio, which translates to more flavor. Feel free to purchase chicken breasts and slice them into chicken cutlets.
- Honey Lemon Pan Sauce: This sauce is made with fresh lemons (do not substitute jarred lemon juice), chicken stock, honey, and Dijon.
- Saute Pan: I recommend using a nonstick skillet for easier cleanup and less risk of burning the sauce. The honey can burn quickly in a stainless steel skillet.
∗ How to Make Chicken Cutlets∗
Chicken breasts are much more affordable than purchasing chicken cutlets. You can prepare chicken cutlets using chicken breasts by using a sharp fillet knife to slice the chicken breast horizontally into two even pieces. Place the sliced chicken breast between two slices of plastic wrap and then pound with a meat mallet.
How to Make Honey Lemon Chicken
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Sear Chicken Cutlets. Sear seasoned chicken cutlets over medium-high heat until golden on each side. Once golden, remove the chicken to a clean plate. This will add a nice texture and crust to the chicken cutlets.
- Simmer Honey Lemon Sauce. Add the chicken stock, honey, lemon juice, and Dijon to the skillet and whisk until the sauce comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, add the chicken back to the skillet, top with slices of lemon, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through. This will just take a few minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Honey Lemon Chicken with Green Beans Almondine and a simple Spinach Avocado Salad for a flavorful, yet simple meal. Alternatively, this chicken skillet pairs well with Instant Pot Glazed Carrots or Roasted Fingerling Potatoes.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Allow the chicken to cool, then transfer the chicken to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Allow the chicken to cool fully and then transfer the chicken to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 6 weeks.
- Reheat: Reheat the chicken in a dry skillet over low heat to warm through. This will prevent the chicken from drying out.
More Simple Chicken Recipes
- Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs
- Skillet Chicken with Green Beans
- Chicken Florentine
- Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry
- Instant Pot Chicken Breasts
- Tex-Mex Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet
- Baked Pesto Chicken
- Honey Lime Chicken Fajitas
- Instant Pot Lemon Chicken
If you try this simple recipe for Honey Lemon Chicken, I would love for you to leave a review below.
Honey Lemon Chicken Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets see notes for using chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 large lemon sliced
- ¼ cup chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper evenly on both sides.
- Place the seasoned chicken in the heated oil in a single layer (work in batches if needed.) Sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown, for about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it on a plate.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, lemon juice, chicken stock, and Dijon together. Pour into skillet and whisk until boiling.
- Once the sauce is bubbling, reduce the heat to a low simmer and add the chicken back to the pan. Lay the lemon slices over the chicken, cover the skillet, and let simmer for 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
Deb @ Cooking on the Front Burner
Kristin, I love any dish with lemons and this looks perfect for a weekday dinner. It was so nice meeting you at the airport. Your blog is great! Deb... love the colors 🙂
Kristen Chidsey
Oh thank you Deb! It was so wonderful to meet you as well <3
Mega
Absolutely love this recipe. I let it cook a bit longer than directed and the juice turned in to a glazey sauce. Family loves it. Great for chicken and pork too!
Kristen Chidsey
Great idea Mega to use for pork as well! Glad you and your family love this recipe
Katie
Oh this looks so good I can't wait to make this for my family!
Kristen Chidsey
I hope they enjoy it as much as my family!
Maria
This is a beautiful dish! So healthy and amazing flavors!!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Maria!
Michelle
That does look absolutely delicious! I agree eating healthy doesn't necessarily take a lot of time, just some thoughtful planning. I cook plenty of healthy meals that my family loves. I'm excited to find a new one to try!
Kristen Chidsey
Yes, planning helps tremendously in eating healthy at home! I hope you enjoy this meal!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
What a healthy and simple looking meal! Love the fresh flavors!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Cynthia!
Lucy
Yum! I love the combo of honey and lime, and dinner salads are one of my favorite weeknight meals. Can't wait to try this one out!
Kristen Chidsey
Enjoy Lucy!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
Love easy meals like this! So perfect for busy weeknights!
Kristen Chidsey
Easy meals are a MUST during the week.
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
I love one pan dinners!! Quick, easy and delicious. So awesome that you can make a healthy and yummy dinner for your family in 20 minutes!
Kristen Chidsey
Easy, healthy meals are my life saver!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O YUM!! Honey lemon chicken sounds delicious!