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Savory Brown Butter Sage Chicken Breast with Crispy Lemon Caper Sauce

brown butter sage chicken breast - featured image
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A simple yet flavorful chicken dish featuring crispy skin, nutty brown butter, fresh sage, and a bright lemon caper sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts (about 6–8 oz / 170-225g each)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4 tablespoons (55g) unsalted butter
  • 10–12 fresh sage leaves
  • 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
  • 2 tablespoons drained capers
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Score the skin gently with a sharp knife to prevent curling while cooking. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Cook until it foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma (3-5 minutes). Add the sage leaves and crisp them in the butter for about 1 minute. Remove sage leaves with a slotted spoon to drain on paper towels.
  3. Add olive oil to the browned butter in the pan. Place chicken breasts skin-side down and press lightly with a spatula. Cook undisturbed for 7-8 minutes until skin is deep golden and crispy.
  4. Flip the chicken breasts and reduce heat to medium-low. Add minced garlic around the chicken (optional). Cover loosely and cook for 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Combine lemon juice, lemon zest, and capers in a small bowl. Remove chicken to a warm plate. Pour lemon caper mixture into the pan and swirl to combine with browned butter and garlic bits. Let sauce bubble and thicken for 1-2 minutes.
  6. Spoon crispy sage leaves over the chicken and drizzle generously with the lemon caper sauce. Garnish with extra lemon zest or fresh sage if desired.

Notes

If butter starts to burn, reduce heat and add a splash of olive oil. Rest chicken 5 minutes after cooking for juicier results. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy. For dairy-free, substitute butter with vegan margarine or olive oil. Avoid nonstick pans for browning butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken breast, brown butter, sage, lemon caper sauce, crispy chicken, quick dinner, easy recipe, gluten-free, dairy-free option

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/savory-brown-butter-sage-chicken-breast-with-crispy-lemon-caper-sauce-recipe/