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A quick and easy one-pan skillet meal featuring tender chicken breasts and asparagus in a luscious lemon garlic cream sauce enriched with Parmesan cheese, ready in under 30 minutes and low in net carbs.

  • Total Time: 28 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into thirds
  • 1/2 cup minced onion
  • 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Sprinkle chicken breasts evenly with Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add chicken and cook 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
  3. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  4. Add butter, minced onion, and asparagus to the skillet; sauté for 2-3 minutes until vegetables are just tender but still crisp.
  5. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 45 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Pour in heavy cream, lemon juice, and Parmesan cheese if using; stir to combine.
  7. Return chicken to skillet and simmer for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens and chicken absorbs flavors.
  8. Taste sauce and add more salt and pepper if needed.
  9. If sauce is too thick, stir in 1/4 cup water, chicken broth, or stock to loosen.

Notes

To ensure even cooking, pound thicker chicken breasts to an even thickness or slice horizontally., Use an instant-read thermometer to check that chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature., Avoid overcooking asparagus; sauté until bright green and tender-crisp., Store leftovers in airtight containers for 3-4 days; reheat gently in a skillet or microwave to maintain juiciness., For dairy-free alternative, use full-fat coconut milk and nutritional yeast instead of cream and Parmesan., Optional add-ins include sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or fresh herbs like parsley or basil., Swap asparagus for broccoli, green beans, or baby spinach for variety.

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4th of the dish)
  • Calories: 607 kcal
  • Fat: 39 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Protein: 55 g