Low Carb Keto Creamy Lemon Chicken

I used to hate “creamy” chicken recipes because they either tasted weirdly heavy or ended up as sad, split sauces sliding off dry meat.
Then I figured out the secret: good sear, simple cream base, lots of cheese, and just enough acid to cut the richness without curdling the sauce.

This Creamy Lemon Chicken?
✅ 20 minutes
✅ 3.6g net carbs per serving
✅ Comforting and bright
✅ No flour, no weird thickeners, no kitchen tantrums

If you miss restaurant-style sauces but don’t miss the blood sugar rollercoaster, this is about to be your weeknight hero.

💡 Why This Creamy Lemon Chicken Actually Works

• Cheese = Natural Thickener: No xanthan gum or mystery starches needed.
• High-Heat Sear = Juicy Chicken: Lock the juices inside before bathing it in that dreamy sauce.
• Lemon Juice = Secret Weapon: Cuts through the richness so it feels light, not heavy.
• Simple Pantry Staples: You probably already have everything. (If you don’t, we need to talk.)

🧾 What I Used (And Why It Worked)

• Chicken Breasts (8 oz each) – Lean but satisfying; thighs work too if you prefer fattier cuts.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – Basic but critical. Don’t skimp.
• Olive Oil – High enough smoke point for a good sear without wrecking flavor. (Avocado oil works too.)
• Garlic (4 cloves, minced) – Flavor bomb, non-negotiable.
• Chicken Broth (½ cup) – Adds umami depth. Use reduced sodium if you’re picky about salt levels.
• Heavy Cream (1 cup) – Keto gold. Thick, rich, and low-carb.
• Grated Parmesan (½ cup) – Freshly grated melts better than the dusty shelf-stable stuff.
• Lemon Juice (1 tbsp) – Fresh makes a difference. Zest too if you want bonus lemony zing.
• Italian Seasoning (1 tsp, optional) – Gives a subtle herbal backdrop without overpowering.

🔁 Keto Swaps That Actually Work

• Chicken Thighs – Juicier, fattier. Cooking time might stretch by a few minutes.
• Coconut Cream – If you’re avoiding dairy, but you’ll still get some cheese here (can’t skip it!).
• Asiago or Romano – Parmesan cousins if you want a funkier cheese bite.
• Extra Lemon Zest – For those who like things a little more puckery (I do).

⚡ Heads up: don’t use bottled lemon juice. It’s weirdly bitter and can mess with the final flavor.

⚠️ Keto Missteps and How I Fixed Them

👩‍🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-Step)

1. Pat the chicken dry (seriously, don’t skip this) and season well.
2. Sear it in hot olive oil—about 4–6 minutes per side until deeply golden.
   (Internal temp: 160°F, it’ll finish cooking in sauce.)
3. Remove chicken, drop the heat, and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add broth, cream, and seasoning—simmer gently for 2 minutes.
5. Stir in parmesan off the heat a bit, letting it melt into a smooth sauce.
6. Add lemon juice—taste and adjust if needed.
7. Return chicken to the pan, spoon sauce over it, and simmer gently until fully cooked (165°F).

🍋 Optional: Garnish with lemon slices and parsley if you’re feeling fancy.

🧠 Keto Cooking Tricks That Help

• Let the sauce cool slightly before adding parmesan – it prevents clumping.
• Scrape up the browned bits (deglaze!) when adding broth—free flavor upgrade.
• Track portions now – I portion it into 4 servings immediately after cooking so I can log it in MyFitnessPal without guessing later.

🧊 How I Store and Track It

• Fridge – Lasts 3–4 days in a sealed container.
• Reheat – Gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or cream if it looks thick.
• ❌ Freezer – Cream-based sauces split and turn grainy after freezing. Not worth it.

❓ Real Keto Questions, Real Answers

• Will this spike blood sugar?
  Nope! It’s high fat, moderate protein, very low carb (3.6g net).
• Can I skip the cheese?
  Honestly? No. It’s the natural thickener here.
• Can I use coconut milk instead of cream?
  Yes, full-fat only—but the flavor will be slightly tropical.
• Is parmesan really keto?
  100%. It’s low-carb, high-fat, and naturally low in lactose.

Nutrition Facts

per serving

Check out More Recipes:

• Low Carb Keto Greek Chicken Breast
• Low Carb Keto Chicken Stuffed Peppers
• Low Carb Keto Baked Chicken Breast
• Low Carb Keto Stuffed Banana Peppers

Low Carb Keto Creamy Lemon Chicken

Author: Sarah Cooking Method:Stovetop Sautéing Cuisine:American Courses:Dinner

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 5 minutesCook time: 15 minutesRest time: minutesTotal time: 20 minutesServings:4 servingsCalories:586 kcal Best Season:Available

Description

Juicy chicken in a creamy lemon-parmesan sauce—bright, rich, and keto-perfect, ready in 20 minutes without flour, starch, or carb overload.

Ingredients

• 4 (8 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  
• ½ tbsp sea salt
  
• ½ tsp black pepper
  
• 2 tbsp olive oil
  
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1 cup heavy cream
  
• ½ cup chicken broth (reduced sodium)
  
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (optional)
  
• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (plus zest, optional)
  

Instructions

1. Pat chicken dry, season with salt and pepper.
   
2. Sear in hot oil until browned and 160°F inside. Remove, tent with foil.
   
3. Saute garlic briefly, add broth, cream, and seasoning. Simmer 2 minutes.
   
4. Turn heat low. Stir in parmesan slowly until melted.
   
5. Stir in lemon juice.
   
6. Return chicken to pan, spoon sauce over, simmer until 165°F inside.
   
7. Garnish and serve.

Keywords:keto lemon chicken, creamy lemon chicken, low carb chicken dinner, parmesan lemon chicken, keto chicken recipe, 20 minute dinner, gluten free chicken