Description
Delightful Simple Italian Basil Chicken combines fresh Mediterranean herbs with tender poultry for a classic Italian dinner. Home cooks can quickly prepare this flavorful dish with minimal ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts with skin
Herbs:
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh basil, chopped
- 1–2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Seasonings and Fats:
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) butter, softened
- 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt, plus more for sprinkling
- Black pepper to taste
Citrus:
- 3–4 thin lemon slices
- 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 ml) lemon juice
Instructions
- Craft a fragrant herb butter by blending finely chopped basil, crushed garlic, salt, and pepper into softened butter. Chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes to solidify.
- Carefully separate chicken breast skin and delicately distribute the herbed butter underneath, ensuring even coverage across the meat.
- Heat a skillet with olive oil, strategically arrange lemon slices as a flavorful base, and position chicken bone-side down. Splash with fresh lemon juice and sprinkle additional seasonings.
- Cover the skillet and simmer at low/medium temperature for 25-30 minutes, allowing liquid to gradually reduce and concentrate flavors.
- Increase heat to create a crisp golden exterior, carefully flipping chicken to brown alternate sides thoroughly.
- Return chicken to original position, verify internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves and transfer to serving platter, allowing residual lemon-infused herbs to enhance final presentation.
Notes
- Chill butter mixture thoroughly to help it spread evenly under chicken skin without melting.
- Use fresh basil leaves for maximum flavor intensity and aromatic quality.
- Select bone-in chicken breasts to maintain moisture and enhance overall taste profile.
- Adjust cooking temperature gradually to prevent burning while ensuring even internal cooking and crispy exterior.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg