This creamy lemon romano chicken dish brings together the bright flavors of lemon, the richness of heavy cream, and the sharpness of pecorino romano cheese. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes that will elevate any meal.
Photos of Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken Recipe
Some of the ingredients you might not have on hand include pecorino romano cheese and fresh basil. Pecorino romano is a hard, salty Italian cheese made from sheep's milk, which adds a distinct flavor to the dish. Fresh basil can be found in the herb section of the supermarket. Make sure to pick a heavy cream with a high fat content for the best results.
Ingredients for Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken Recipe
Chicken breasts: Tender and juicy, these provide the protein base for the dish.
All-purpose flour: Used to dredge the chicken, adding a slight crispiness.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and enhancing the flavors.
Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth of flavor.
Olive oil: Used for frying the chicken, giving it a rich and savory taste.
Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and a savory kick to the sauce.
Swanson chicken broth: Provides a flavorful base for the sauce.
Basil: Adds a fresh, herbal note to the dish.
Fresh lemon juice: Brings brightness and acidity, balancing the richness.
Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to a silky consistency.
Heavy cream: Adds richness and a creamy texture to the sauce.
Pecorino romano cheese: Provides a sharp, salty flavor that complements the other ingredients.
Fresh parsley: Used as a garnish, adding color and a fresh, herbal finish.
One reader, Charmion Fogle says:
This creamy lemon Romano chicken recipe is a delightful blend of tangy and savory flavors. The sauce is rich and velvety, perfectly complementing the tender chicken. It's an easy yet impressive dish that has become a family favorite. Highly recommend!
Essential Techniques for Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken Recipe
How to pound chicken breasts: Place the chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap or in a resealable plastic bag. Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the thicker parts of the chicken breasts until they are an even ½-inch thickness.
How to dredge chicken: In a shallow dish, whisk together flour with salt and pepper. Coat both sides of the chicken breast in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
How to sauté garlic: Add garlic to a skillet set over medium heat and sauté for 30 seconds until it is just light golden brown. Be careful not to let it brown too much or burn, as this will make it bitter.
How to make a cornstarch slurry: Stir together 1 tablespoon of chicken broth with cornstarch until it is fully dissolved. This mixture will be used to thicken the sauce.
How to reduce a sauce: Let the broth mixture simmer for about 2 minutes until it reduces by about half. This intensifies the flavors and thickens the sauce.
How to melt cheese in a sauce: After adding the cream to the sauce, reduce the heat to low and add the Romano cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is smooth.
How To Make Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken
Easy yet flavorful, this romano chicken recipe takes pan-seared and golden brown chicken breasts and cooks them with a lemon and cheese flavored sauce.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 12ozchicken breasts,boneless skinless
- ¼cupall-purpose flour
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2tbspolive oil
- 2tspgarlic,minced
- 1cupSwanson Chicken Broth,(+1 tbsp), divided
- ½tspbasil,dried
- 2tbspfresh lemon juice
- 2½tspcornstarch
- ½cupheavy cream
- ½cupPecorino Romano cheese,finely shredded
- 1½tbspfresh parsley,chopped
Instructions
-
Pound thicker parts of chicken breasts out even to about ½-inch thickness.
-
Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
-
In a shallow dish whisk together flour with salt and pepper. Dredge both sides of chicken breast in flour mixture then transfer to heated skillet.
-
Cook for about 6 minutes per side until cooked through. Transfer chicken to plate and tent with foil.
-
Add garlic to a skillet set over medium heat and saute for 30 seconds until just light golden brown (not browned and burnt). Pour in 1 cup chicken broth, lemon juice and basil.
-
Let broth mixture simmer for about 2 minutes and reduce by about half. Stir together 1 tablespoon chicken broth with cornstarch. Pour into broth mixture and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly until slightly thickened.
-
Pour in cream then reduce to low, add Romano cheese and cook just until melted.
-
Return chicken to sauce, spoon sauce over chicken. Serve warm garnished with parsley.
Nutrition
- Calories: 434.77kcal
- Fat: 30.93g
- Saturated Fat: 13.09g
- Trans Fat: 0.09g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 13.01g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.06g
- Carbohydrates: 12.53g
- Fiber: 0.49g
- Sugar: 2.14g
- Protein: 26.14g
- Cholesterol: 114.15mg
- Sodium: 508.57mg
- Calcium: 215.37mg
- Potassium: 325.35mg
- Iron: 1.48mg
- Vitamin A: 165.47µg
- Vitamin C: 5.59mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken Recipe
To ensure your chicken breasts cook evenly and remain juicy, make sure to pound them to an even thickness of about ½-inch. This not only helps in cooking the chicken uniformly but also reduces the cooking time, preventing the chicken from drying out.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Creamy Chicken Dish
Prepare ingredients in advance: Measure and chop all ingredients like garlic, parsley, and chicken breasts before starting to cook.
Use pre-grated cheese: Save time by using pre-grated pecorino romano cheese instead of grating it yourself.
Quick chicken prep: Buy chicken breasts that are already thinly sliced to skip the pounding step.
Simultaneous tasks: While the chicken is cooking, prepare the cornstarch mixture and measure out the heavy cream and lemon juice.
One-pan method: Use the same skillet for cooking the chicken and making the sauce to reduce cleanup time.
Substitute Ingredients For Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken Recipe
chicken breasts - Substitute with turkey breasts: Turkey breasts are similar in texture and flavor to chicken breasts and can be used in the same way.
all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour provides a slightly nuttier flavor and adds more fiber to the dish.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a more complex flavor profile and can enhance the taste of the dish.
freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used to avoid black specks in the sauce.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor compared to garlic and can add a different depth to the dish.
swanson chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth is a good alternative for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly option.
basil - Substitute with oregano: Oregano has a similar aromatic profile and can be used to provide a slightly different but complementary flavor.
fresh lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor, though it will impart a slightly different taste.
cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a good thickening agent and can be used in the same way as cornstarch.
heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Coconut cream provides a rich, creamy texture and is a good dairy-free alternative.
pecorino romano cheese - Substitute with parmesan cheese: Parmesan cheese has a similar salty and nutty flavor, making it a good substitute.
fresh parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro offers a fresh, vibrant flavor and can be used to add a different but complementary taste.
Presenting Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken
Serve smaller portion sizes: Slice the chicken breasts into medallions for a refined presentation. This allows for a more elegant plating and ensures each bite is perfectly coated with the creamy lemon romano sauce.
Use decoration: Garnish the dish with finely chopped fresh parsley and thin slices of lemon to add a pop of color and freshness. Place a small sprig of basil on top for an aromatic touch.
Layer the elements: Start by spooning a base of the creamy lemon romano sauce onto the plate. Arrange the chicken medallions artfully on top of the sauce, slightly overlapping each piece.
Add texture: Sprinkle a small amount of freshly grated pecorino romano cheese over the top of the chicken for added texture and a burst of flavor.
Balance the plate: Include a side of lightly sautéed vegetables such as asparagus or baby carrots to complement the richness of the dish and add visual appeal.
Use high-quality dinnerware: Present the dish on a pristine white plate to make the colors of the chicken and sauce stand out. The simplicity of the plate will highlight the elegance of the dish.
Drizzle with finesse: Finish with a delicate drizzle of olive oil around the edge of the plate for a touch of sophistication and to enhance the flavors of the chicken and sauce.
Serve immediately: Ensure the dish is served warm to maintain the creamy consistency of the sauce and the tenderness of the chicken.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Lemon Romano Chicken
Skillet: A skillet is essential for cooking the chicken breasts and making the sauce. Its wide surface area allows for even cooking and browning.
Meat mallet: Use a meat mallet to pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, ensuring they cook uniformly.
Shallow dish: A shallow dish is used for dredging the chicken breasts in the flour mixture, making it easy to coat them evenly.
Whisk: A whisk is needed to mix the flour with salt and pepper, as well as to combine the cornstarch with chicken broth.
Tongs: Use tongs to handle the chicken breasts while cooking, making it easier to flip them without splattering oil.
Plate: A plate is used to transfer the cooked chicken breasts and tent them with foil to keep them warm.
Foil: Foil is used to tent the chicken breasts, keeping them warm while you prepare the sauce.
Garlic press: A garlic press is handy for mincing the garlic quickly and efficiently.
Measuring cups: Measuring cups are necessary for accurately measuring the chicken broth, lemon juice, and heavy cream.
Measuring spoons: Measuring spoons are used to measure the basil, cornstarch, and other small quantities of ingredients.
Wooden spoon: A wooden spoon is ideal for stirring the sauce, as it won't scratch the skillet.
Grater: A grater is used to grate the pecorino romano cheese finely, ensuring it melts smoothly into the sauce.
Knife: A knife is essential for chopping the fresh parsley for garnish.
Cutting board: A cutting board provides a stable surface for pounding the chicken and chopping the parsley.
Storing and Freezing Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken
- Let the creamy lemon romano chicken cool completely before storing or freezing.
- Store the leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- To freeze, place the cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container or bag with the date and contents for easy identification.
- Freeze the creamy lemon romano chicken for up to 2-3 months for optimal quality.
- To reheat, thaw the frozen chicken overnight in the refrigerator.
- Transfer the thawed chicken and sauce to a skillet or saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if needed to thin out the sauce.
- Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in the microwave. Place the thawed chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely with a lid or plastic wrap, and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated through.
- Garnish the reheated creamy lemon romano chicken with fresh parsley and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
How To Reheat Leftover Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken
- Reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce becomes too thick.
- Place the leftover creamy lemon romano chicken in a microwave-safe dish and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the leftover chicken and sauce to an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of baking to allow the top to crisp up slightly.
- If you have an air fryer, place the leftover chicken in the basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy on the outside. Be careful not to overcrowd the basket, and reheat the sauce separately in a skillet or microwave.
- For a quick and easy lunch, slice the reheated chicken and serve it over a bed of fresh greens, topped with the warmed creamy lemon romano sauce. Add some cherry tomatoes, olives, and croutons for extra flavor and texture.
Interesting Fact About Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken
A random fact about this recipe is that pecorino romano cheese is a hard, salty cheese made from sheep's milk, originating from Italy. It adds a distinct, sharp flavor to the creamy sauce, complementing the lemon juice and basil perfectly.
Is Making Lemon Romano Chicken at Home Cost-Effective?
This creamy lemon romano chicken recipe is moderately cost-effective. The main ingredients like chicken breasts, olive oil, and heavy cream can be slightly pricey, but the use of chicken broth and flour balances it out. Fresh lemon and parsley add a burst of flavor without breaking the bank. Overall Verdict: 7/10. Approximate cost for a household of 4 people: $20-$25 USD.
Is This Creamy Chicken Dish Healthy or Not?
The creamy lemon romano chicken recipe, while delicious, may not be the healthiest option due to a few key ingredients:
- The use of all-purpose flour for dredging the chicken adds extra carbohydrates and calories.
- Heavy cream and pecorino romano cheese contribute to the dish's high saturated fat content, which can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of heart disease if consumed in excess.
- The recipe lacks vegetables, which are essential for providing fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
However, the recipe does include some healthy elements, such as lean chicken breast and the use of olive oil for cooking, which is a healthier fat option compared to butter or vegetable oils.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Replace the all-purpose flour with almond flour or whole wheat flour for a more nutrient-dense option.
- Reduce the amount of heavy cream and cheese used, or substitute the heavy cream with a lower-fat alternative like evaporated skim milk or Greek yogurt.
- Incorporate more vegetables into the dish, such as sautéed spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers, to increase the fiber and nutrient content.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to reduce the overall sodium content of the dish.
- Serve the chicken with a side of quinoa, brown rice, or whole wheat pasta for a more balanced meal that includes complex carbohydrates.
Editor's Opinion on Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken Recipe
This creamy lemon Romano chicken recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The tangy lemon juice perfectly complements the rich Romano cheese and heavy cream, creating a luscious sauce that coats the tender chicken breasts. The use of fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note, while the garlic and basil provide depth. The cornstarch ensures the sauce has a silky consistency. Overall, it's a well-balanced dish that's both comforting and elegant, ideal for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Enhance Your Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Similar Recipes to Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken
Appetizers and Desserts to Serve with Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken
Why trust this Creamy Lemon Romano Chicken Recipe:
This recipe combines the tangy zest of lemon juice with the rich flavors of pecorino romano cheese and heavy cream. The chicken breasts are perfectly seasoned and cooked to a golden brown, ensuring a juicy and flavorful bite every time. The use of fresh ingredients like garlic and parsley adds a burst of freshness that elevates the dish. Trust this recipe for its balance of flavors and straightforward instructions, making it a reliable choice for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Was this page helpful?
Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!
Related Recipes
Chicken Romano Recipe (Cheesecake Factory Copycat)
Copycat Cheesecake Factory Romano Chicken Recipe
Lemon Chicken Romano Recipe
Refrigerator Cookies with Sprinkles Recipe
Cream Cheese and Oreo Truffles Recipe
Melt-In-Your-Mouth Eggnog Cookies Recipe
Creamy Spinach Tomato Tortellini Recipe
Baked Gnocchi Recipe
Teriyaki Shrimp and Asparagus Stir-Fry Recipe
Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Panko Crusted Mashed Potato Cakes Recipe
