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Skillet Lemon Parmesan Chicken Zucchini and Squash in a cast iron pan with fresh herbs and lemon slices.
Linda

Skillet Lemon Parmesan Chicken Zucchini and Squash

Bright, buttery skillet chicken with tender summer squash in a lemony parmesan sauce that comes together in one pan.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 385

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt divided
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter divided
For the Vegetables and Sauce
  • 2 medium zucchini cut into half moons
  • 2 medium yellow squash cut into half moons
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.75 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 1 large lemon zested and juiced, about 3 tbsp juice
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese finely grated, plus more for serving
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • 12-inch skillet
  • Tongs

Method
 

Prep and Dredge
  1. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. On a plate, mix flour with 1/2 tsp salt and the pepper. Dredge chicken lightly in flour, shaking off excess. This thin coating helps create a golden crust and slightly thickens the sauce later.
Sear the Chicken
  1. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook 4-5 minutes more until cooked through (165°F internal temp). Transfer to a plate.
Cook the Vegetables
  1. Add remaining 1 tbsp butter to the skillet. Add zucchini and squash, spreading in a single layer. Cook 3-4 minutes without stirring to get some color, then toss and cook 2-3 minutes more until just tender but still holding shape. Season with remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Transfer to the plate with chicken.
Make the Sauce
  1. Reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Simmer 2 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Cook 1 minute until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly.
Finish and Serve
  1. Nestle chicken and vegetables back into the skillet, spooning sauce over top. Simmer 2 minutes to heat through and let flavors meld. Taste and adjust salt or lemon if needed. Sprinkle with parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.

Notes

Don't skip patting the chicken dry - moisture is the enemy of browning. For extra lemon punch, finish with a squeeze of fresh juice right before serving. This reheats beautifully; store chicken and vegetables separately from any extra sauce if making ahead.