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Brown Butter Sage Skillet Chicken

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Brown butter sage skillet chicken – juicy chicken breasts, rich sage-infused browned butter, white wine, and a squeeze of lemon juice combine in the most delicious 30-minute chicken dinner.

Close-up of a chicken breast cooked in a skillet with sage-infused brown butter.

Call me basic, but the simple skillet chicken dinner is a definite heavy-hitter in our dinner rotation. And this is one chicken recipe we come back to time and again.

I especially love it as the calendar begins turning to fall. Browned butter and sage are amazing any time of year, of course, but something about the warm, heady aroma and flavors are especially appealing with the prospect of leaves changing soon!

And a squeeze of lemon is always a good idea, right?

Prep plate of fresh sage and cut lemon slices.

How to keep chicken breasts juicy

This recipe starts with the same basic concept from my go-to simple lemon thyme chicken, which is also the foundation of this reader-favorite chicken bruschetta with balsamic glaze. Chicken breasts, cut or pounded thin, generously seasoned with salt and pepper and dredged in a light layer of flour before being cooked in a sizzling skillet.

The seasoning and coating locks in flavor and allows the chicken to form a nice little crust, keeping it juicy and moist. After all, there’s nothing worse than a flavorless or dry chicken breast!

Large skillet filled with browned butter sage chicken with lemon slices.

Sauce and sides

After the chicken is cooked, a simple pan sauce is all that stands between you and dinner! As a bonus, the sauce is perfect to drizzle over any sides you might make. Some of my favorites with this would be:

  • orzo or other light pasta
  • arugula or other salad greens
  • roasted broccolini or asparagus
  • cubed and roasted sweet potatoes

And definitely don’t forget a loaf of crusty bread to sop up the rest of the sauce! You won’t want to let a drop of browned butter sage goodness go to waste!

Large skillet filled with browned butter sage chicken with lemon slices.

If you try this brown butter sage chicken or any other recipe on the blog, please remember to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. I love hearing from you, and other readers will benefit from your experience!

Close-up of a chicken breast cooked in a skillet with sage-infused brown butter.
5 from 7 votes
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Brown Butter Sage Skillet Chicken

Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time30 mins
Simple and delicious, brown butter sage skillet chicken is the ultimate weeknight comfort food.
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: skillet chicken
Servings: 4
Author: Monica | Nourish + Fete

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - sliced or pounded thin
  • kosher salt
  • freshly-ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter - divided
  • 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup fresh sage leaves (a generous handful)
  • juice of 1/2 lemon - use the other half for serving as wedges
  • 1/2 cup white wine or low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

  • Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Place the flour in a shallow bowl or plate, then dredge each piece of chicken through it to form a light coating, shaking gently to remove any excess.
  • Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil to a large skillet set over medium-high heat. When butter melts, add the chicken and saute for 2-3 minutes per side, until cooked through and lightly golden. Remove the chicken to a plate, cover with foil, and set aside. 
  • Add remaining 4 tablespoons butter to the skillet. When butter has melted, add sage leaves. Allow the butter to brown and bubble, about 2-3 minutes, until it begins to give off a warm, nutty aroma. Remove sage to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving butter in the skillet.
  • Add lemon juice and wine or broth to the skillet. Simmer the mixture for 2-3 minutes, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Taste sauce and adjust with more salt and pepper, if desired. When the sauce is slightly thickened, return chicken to the skillet to warm through, then top with sage, garnish with additional lemon wedges, and serve.
Did you make this recipe?Leave a review below, then snap a quick picture and tag @nourishandfete on Instagram so I can see it!

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 441kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 189mg | Sodium: 266mg | Potassium: 886mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 15% | Vitamin C: 4.3% | Calcium: 6.3% | Iron: 9.3%

You might also like this one-pot cashew chicken and rice – one of our family favorites – or creamy Tuscan chicken with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. And for lots more simple chicken dinner ideas, don’t miss this great round-up of 21 favorite chicken breast recipes on Girl Gone Gourmet!

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Ready in 30 minutes, easy dinner recipes don't come more delicious than this skillet chicken with browned butter, sage, and lemon juice. #dinnerrecipes #chickenrecipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. RECIPE CALLS FOR:
    6 Tablespoons unsalted butter – divided
    4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil – divided
    DIRECTIONS SAY:
    Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil to a large skillet set over medium-high heat.
    THEN;
    Add remaining 4 tablespoons butter to the skillet.
    WHAT HAPPENS TO THE OTHER 2 TBSP OF OIL? WHEN DOES IT GET ADDED, OR DOES IT?
    THX

    Reply

    • Hi Alice, so sorry about that, thank you for pointing that out! The ingredients should just call for 2 tablespoons olive oil – I’m adjusting it accordingly right now. I really appreciate you taking the time to ask and let me know so I can fix it for others!

      Reply

  3. Wow this recipe looks AMAZING! I love that you describe how to keep chicken breasts juicy, and your photos are beautiful! Can’t wait to try this delicious looking dish. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

    • Thanks so much, Aleta, your kind words and feedback mean a lot to me! I hope you enjoy the chicken and would love to hear how it goes for you!

      Reply

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