The secret to a truly exceptional lemon cream sauce lies in a balanced roux and the precise moment the lemon juice is added. This lemon cream sauce is not only incredibly flavorful but also surprisingly simple to prepare, making it a perfect weeknight companion. This recipe focuses on creating a smooth, velvety texture while highlighting the bright, tangy notes of fresh lemon. It’s an ideal choice for anyone looking to improve their everyday meals with a touch of elegance and zest.

⏱ Time: 15 min
👥 Servings: 4
📊 Level: Easy
🥗 8 ingredients
Zesty Lemon Cream Sauce - Lemon cream sauce: whip up this rich, zesty, and versatile sauce in just 15 minutes. Perfect for pasta, chicken, or fish, bringing bri

Zesty Lemon Cream Sauce

Lemon cream sauce: whip up this rich, zesty, and versatile sauce in just 15 minutes. Perfect for pasta, chicken, or fish, bringing bright flavor to any meal.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Sauce
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup lemon juice

Method
 

  1. Begin by melting ¼ cup butter in a saucepan over low heat.
  2. Add ¼ cup all-purpose flour to the melted butter and increase heat to medium. Whisk and cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Stir in 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon white pepper. Gradually pour in 1 cup heavy cream and 1 cup chicken broth, whisking continuously to combine the ingredients smoothly.
  4. Bring the mixture to a simmer while whisking constantly. Once it begins to simmer, the sauce will thicken. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in ½ cup lemon juice. If you want a thinner sauce, add a splash of pasta water or additional chicken broth.
  6. Serve over pasta, fish, or vegetables.

Notes

– For extra zest, consider adding a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest at the very end with the lemon juice.
– If your sauce seems too thick, a splash of warm pasta water or extra chicken broth can help achieve your desired consistency.
– I once added the lemon juice too early while the sauce was still simmering and the cream split slightly. Always remove from heat before adding the lemon juice to prevent curdling.
Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.

Pro tips

  • For extra zest, consider adding a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest at the very end with the lemon juice.
  • If your sauce seems too thick, a splash of warm pasta water or extra chicken broth can help achieve your desired consistency.
  • I once added the lemon juice too early while the sauce was still simmering and the cream split slightly. Always remove from heat before adding the lemon juice to prevent curdling.

This lemon cream sauce is a fantastic way to add a hit of flavor and a creamy texture to a variety of dishes. Experiment with different herbs like fresh parsley or dill for an added touch. Enjoy this bright and easy sauce!

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