Creamy Lemon Hen with Asparagus is a simple one-skillet spring dinner with juicy hen, tender asparagus, and a vibrant lemon cream sauce.
Creamy Lemon Hen
I don’t find out about you, however I’m all the time excited when spring produce begins displaying up. This Creamy Lemon Hen with Asparagus is a simple, high-protein dinner that feels elegant but completely weeknight-friendly. Juicy hen and tender asparagus simmer in a lemon cream sauce, all made in a single skillet. Serve it as is, or pair it with orzo or roasted child potatoes to take in each little bit of the sauce. Should you love skillet hen dinners, additionally strive my Hen Florentine, Marry Me Hen, or my assortment of wholesome hen breast recipes.
Why This Recipe Works
Because the climate slowly warms, I start craving lighter dishes which can be nonetheless satisfying. My husband, Tommy, and I cherished this creamy lemon hen once I served it for dinner just lately. Like many Skinnytaste recipes, this creamy hen dish retains issues lighter whereas nonetheless delivering large taste and loads of protein.
- Juicy Hen: Hen breasts cook dinner rapidly and keep juicy when simmered within the sauce.
- One-pan comfort: Asparagus cooks proper within the skillet for a real one-pan dinner.
- Highlights spring produce with contemporary asparagus and lemon
- Fast: Excessive protein and prepared in about half-hour.
Substances You’ll Want
Maintain studying for extra on what you’ll have to make this straightforward creamy lemon hen recipe. See the recipe card under for the precise measurements.
- Asparagus: Rinse the asparagus underneath operating water and snap off the robust ends of the spears.
- Hen Breasts: Reduce the boneless, skinless hen breasts in half lengthwise to make skinny, huge items. Utilizing sharp kitchen scissors is the best approach to do that.
- Dijon Mustard for tanginess
- Seasoning: Garlic and onion powders, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper
- Flour: Coating the hen in flour offers it a pleasant golden-brown crust when you sear it. You should utilize all-purpose flour or a gluten-free combine, like Cup4Cup.
- Butter: Prepare dinner the hen in butter for added richness and taste.
- Hen Bone Broth provides protein and taste to the sauce. For greatest outcomes, use a high-quality broth, reminiscent of Kettle & Hearth, Butcher’s by Roli Roti, or Epic. You may additionally use selfmade hen broth.
- Half-and-Half is a lighter possibility than heavy cream, but it nonetheless makes the lemon sauce creamy.
- Lemon: Zest and juice a lemon for optimum citrus taste.
How one can Make Lemon Hen
Earlier than including the half-and-half, be sure the range is ready to medium-low. If the warmth’s too excessive, the sauce could curdle. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.
- Prep the hen: Place the halved hen breasts between 2 sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper, then pound them till about ¼ inch thick. Season with Dijon and all of the spices on either side, then coat in flour.
- Steam the asparagus in water in a big, lined skillet. After a few minutes, once they’re crisp-tender, take away them from the pan.
- Prepare dinner the hen: Soften the butter in the identical skillet, then cook dinner the hen for 4 to five minutes on all sides. Switch to a plate.
- Make the creamy sauce: Add the bone broth, half-and-half, and remaining seasoning to the pan. Prepare dinner over medium-low warmth, decreasing the sauce (i.e., cooking it down till it thickens and solely about half stays. To examine that it’s achieved, dip a spoon into it. If the sauce coats the again of the spoon, it’s prepared. If it’s too skinny, maintain simmering; if it’s too thick, add one other tablespoon or two of broth.
- Add the lemon: Zest the lemon earlier than chopping it in half. Squeeze the juice into the sauce, then nestle the hen into the sauce. Simmer for a couple of minutes, then add the zest. Serve the hen with asparagus, and drizzle the sauce over it.
Variations
- Asparagus options: Strive it with broccoli, broccolini, or inexperienced beans.
- Hen: Change breasts with boneless, skinless thighs or pork chops.
- No Italian seasoning? Use a mixture of any dried herbs you might have, reminiscent of parsley, thyme, and oregano.
- Broth choices: Use common hen broth or vegetable broth. Simply be sure it’s an excellent one, because it’s the primary ingredient within the sauce.
Storage
I don’t suggest freezing this dish as a result of the cream sauce might separate after thawing.
- Refrigerate leftovers for as much as 4 days.
- Reheat: You possibly can microwave the hen and asparagus or reheat them on the range over medium warmth. If the sauce is just too thick, add a splash of broth or water to skinny it.
Extra Hen Breast Recipes You’ll Love
For extra wholesome dinner concepts, take a look at these 5 scrumptious hen breast recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!
Serving Dimension: 1 piece hen with ¼ cup sauce + veg
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Between two items of plastic wrap, pound the halved hen breasts to an excellent thickness (about ¼ inch). Season throughout with Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper, to style. Ensure the hen is absolutely coated on either side.
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Dredge each bit of hen in flour and shake off any extra.
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In a big skillet, add the asparagus with ¼ water, cowl and cook dinner over medium warmth to steam 2 to three minutes, till crisp tender. Take away and put aside.
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In the identical skillet, warmth the butter over medium-high warmth. Add the hen and cook dinner for about 4 to five minutes per facet, or till each bit is cooked by and has a golden-brown crust. Take away and put aside.
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Add hen bone broth, half-and-half, remaining Italian seasoning, ¼ teaspoon salt, garlic powder and onion powder to the pan. Scale back by half over medium-low warmth, till it thickens, thick sufficient that it coats the again of a spoon.
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Add the lemon juice and nestle the cooked hen into the sauce and simmer for a couple of minutes, till heated by. End with lemon zest.
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Serve with asparagus, drizzling the sauce over the hen.
Final Step:
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For the reason that sauce is the primary part of the dish, flavorful selfmade broth or good high quality hen broth is usually recommended. Manufacturers that promote hen bone broth, like Kettle & Hearth, Butchers by Roli or Epic are advised.
Serving Suggestion: over pasta or rice, with cauliflower rice or cauliflower gnocchi, or roasted child potatoes.
Variations: As a substitute of asparagus, serve with charred broccoli or inexperienced beans.
Serving: 1 piece hen with ¼ cup sauce + veg, Energy: 310 kcal, Carbohydrates: 15 g, Protein: 33 g, Fats: 13 g, Saturated Fats: 6.5 g, Ldl cholesterol: 111 mg, Sodium: 265 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 5 g
FAQ
Sure, simply let it thaw earlier than cooking.
Sure, boneless skinless thighs work nice right here and keep very juicy.
Searing the hen first and ending it within the sauce with out overcooking helps maintain it moist.
