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Stay Married Chicken

It’s lemony, buttery, crispy, and drenched in a garlicky love potion that doubles as sauce. One bite in and you’ll understand why it went viral.
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Stay Married Chicken
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes

Ingredients

For the chicken:

  • 4 –6 thinly sliced chicken breasts – bonus points if you pound them a little thinner for that restaurant-style tenderness.
  • 2 eggs we’re giving that breadcrumb coating a rich base to stick to.
  • 1 ½ cups seasoned breadcrumbs – trust the seasoning here. If you want to be extra add some grated Parm.
  • Olive oil – just enough to coat the pan. We’re not deep frying just getting that golden crispy edge.
  • 2 tablespoons butter – flavor obviously.
  • Seasonings: salt pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning – the power squad.

For the lemon sauce (aka The Reason Everyone Falls in Love):

  • Juice of 1–2 lemons about 1/4 cup – must be fresh. Don’t let the bottled stuff mess this up.
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil – neutral rich, and heat-friendly.
  • 3 garlic cloves minced – the more the better.
  • Dash of salt pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika – we’re building layers here.
  • Optional: a handful of chopped basil or parsley for vibes.
  • 3 –4 slices of lemon for topping – you know… aesthetic.

Instructions

  • Prep That Lemon Sauce: In a small bowl, combine your lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Let it chill for a minute and let the garlic do its thing. Then slowly whisk in the avocado oil until it’s emulsified and glossy. Stir in your fresh herbs if using. Set it aside and try not to drink it straight.
  • Pro Tip: If you like things extra saucy (hi, same), double the lemon juice and oil. Trust.
  • Bread the Chicken Like You Mean It: Season both sides of your chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. In one shallow bowl beat your eggs. In another shallow bowl add those breadcrumbs. Dredge the chicken in your eggs first. Take each piece of chicken, shake off the excess liquid, and press both sides firmly into the breadcrumbs. We want full coverage. No naked spots here.
  • Pan-Sear to Golden Perfection: Heat olive oil and butter in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. When it starts to shimmer (not smoke!), place the chicken in the pan. Don’t overcrowd—it deserves space to shine.
  • Cook each piece for about 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and crispy. It doesn’t have to be cooked through yet—it’ll finish in the oven. Remove and set on a paper towel-lined plate while you work through the rest.
  • Assemble + Sauce It Up: Place all the browned chicken back in the skillet. Nestle in your lemon slices on top, and pour that lemon garlic sauce over everything. It should sizzle a little—that’s when you know you’re doing it right.
  • Let it simmer on the stovetop for 2 minutes to start infusing all the flavor into the chicken.
  • Bake to Perfection: Pop the whole skillet into a preheated 325ºF oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is bubbling.
  • Want to serve it later? Drop the oven temp to 200ºF and keep it warm until you’re ready to wow your people.
Servings: 4