Sizzling Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Recipe

Whipping up a mouthwatering lemon garlic butter chicken delights every home cook seeking simple yet impressive meals.

Aromas of sizzling herbs and zesty citrus fill your kitchen with warmth.

Succulent chicken breasts nestle among crisp green beans, creating a harmonious plate.

Minimal ingredients combine to craft an effortless dinner that feels like a restaurant-quality experience.

Butter melts into a golden sauce, infusing each tender bite with rich flavor.

Weeknight dinners transform from mundane to magnificent with this quick and elegant recipe.

Just one skillet stands between you and a memorable meal that sparks conversation around the table.

What Makes Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet a Weeknight Winner

• Savor One-Pan Magic: Quick chicken and green beans dance together in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.
• Create Restaurant-Quality Meal at Home: Professional-level cooking technique transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet dinner that looks impressive but requires minimal culinary skills.
• Pack Nutrition and Taste in One Dish: Lean protein from chicken combines with fiber-rich green beans, delivering a balanced meal loaded with vibrant herbs, zesty lemon, and aromatic garlic for a complete nutritional punch.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows swapping green beans for other vegetables, adjusting spice levels with red pepper flakes, or adding extra herbs to match personal taste preferences without complicated modifications.

What You’ll Need for Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender protein that serves as the star of this delicious dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika: A classic seasoning combination that adds depth and enhances the chicken's natural flavors.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Provide rich flavor and help create a golden, crispy exterior for the chicken while adding a luxurious texture to the sauce.

• Garlic: Brings a pungent and savory depth to the dish, creating an aromatic base for the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds a subtle heat and spicy kick to the green beans.
• Lemon: Provides bright, citrusy notes that balance the richness of the butter and add freshness to the entire dish.

• Green Beans: A crisp and nutritious vegetable that absorbs the garlic butter sauce and adds color to the plate.

• Chicken Broth: Helps steam and soften the green beans while adding extra flavor to the dish.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds a final layer of freshness and a pop of green color to the finished dish.

How to Cook Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Breasts

Pat chicken breasts completely dry using paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and paprika, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it starts to shimmer. Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into the hot pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 3: Remove and Rest Chicken

Transfer chicken to a plate, keeping it warm while preparing the next components of the dish.

Step 4: Create Garlic Butter Base

Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, releasing its aromatic qualities without burning.

Step 5: Build Flavorful Sauce

Add butter to the skillet, allowing it to melt and blend with garlic, creating a rich and fragrant sauce base.

Step 6: Cook Green Beans

• Green beans
• Chicken broth

Stir to coat beans with garlic butter and add broth to help steam and soften the vegetables.

Step 7: Add Spicy Kick

Sprinkle red pepper flakes over green beans. Cook for 4-5 minutes until beans reach a tender-crisp texture.

Step 8: Brighten with Citrus

Zest and juice the lemon directly into the skillet. Stir to incorporate vibrant citrus flavors into the sauce.

Step 9: Reunite Chicken and Sauce

Return chicken to the skillet. Spoon garlic butter sauce generously over the meat and green beans, ensuring everything is well-coated.

Step 10: Finish with Fresh Herbs

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, adding a final layer of freshness and color to the dish.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Plate immediately, arranging a chicken breast with green beans and drizzling extra lemon garlic butter sauce over each serving.

Helpful Hints for Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet

• Seal in Moisture: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help create a perfectly crispy exterior and lock in juicy flavors.
• Prevent Burning: Keep garlic moving quickly in the pan and remove from heat if it starts to brown, which can make it taste bitter.
• Boost Bean Texture: Cook green beans just until tender-crisp to maintain a vibrant color and satisfying crunch that complements the chicken.
• Elevate Flavors: Add lemon zest and juice at the end to brighten the dish and introduce a fresh, tangy dimension without dulling the citrus notes.
• Quick Temperature Check: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked protein every time.

Different Ways to Enjoy Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet

• Spicy Southwest Chicken: Replace paprika with chili powder and add cumin. Swap green beans for bell peppers and corn. Top with fresh cilantro and serve with salsa.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Use oregano and thyme instead of paprika. Replace green beans with roasted zucchini. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top and add kalamata olives.
• Asian-Inspired Chicken Stir-Fry: Substitute paprika with ginger and add soy sauce. Use snap peas instead of green beans. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve over steamed rice.
• Creamy Herb Chicken: Add heavy cream to the butter sauce. Include fresh rosemary and thyme. Replace green beans with asparagus. Finish with grated parmesan cheese.

What to Serve with Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet

• Enhance Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc that complements the zesty lemon and buttery chicken flavors.
• Elevate Side Dish: Serve fluffy herbed couscous or quinoa to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce and provide a light, complementary texture.
• Create Bread Companion: Offer crusty sourdough or garlic bread to mop up the remaining citrusy, garlicky sauce, adding extra depth to each bite.
• Match Refreshing Drink: Prepare a light, citrus-infused sparkling water with lemon wedges to cleanse the palate and echo the recipe's bright lemon notes.

Storing and Reheating Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet

• Store the lemon garlic butter chicken and green beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the chicken and green beans are completely cooled before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Transfer the dish to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label the container with the date and contents for easy tracking.
• Thaw frozen chicken and green beans in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out. Alternatively, warm in the microwave, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
• For best quality, store chicken and green beans separately if possible.

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet Questions Answered

• Why should I pat the chicken dry before seasoning?

Patting chicken dry helps create a perfect golden-brown crust by removing excess moisture, allowing the seasonings to stick better and ensuring better caramelization during searing.

• How do I know if the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the chicken breast, which guarantees it’s safe to eat and prevents overcooking.

• Can I substitute green beans with another vegetable?

Absolutely! Asparagus, broccoli, or zucchini work great as alternatives and will absorb the delicious garlic butter sauce similarly to green beans.

• What if I don't have fresh parsley for garnish?

No worries.

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent lemon garlic butter chicken and green beans deliver a Mediterranean-inspired dinner that dances with bold, zesty flavors. Fresh ingredients and simple cooking techniques combine to create a quick, satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners and weekend gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 4 cloves garlic
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 lemon (zest and juice)

Cooking Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lb green beans
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp paprika

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Instructions

1. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then generously season with salt, black pepper, and paprika on both sides.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into the pan.
3. Sear chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, creating a crispy exterior.
4. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside, keeping warm on a plate.
5. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
6. Add butter to the skillet, allowing it to melt and combine with garlic, creating a rich, aromatic base.
7. Toss green beans into the skillet, stirring to coat with garlic butter and adding chicken broth to help steam and soften.
8. Sprinkle red pepper flakes over green beans, cooking for 4-5 minutes until beans are tender-crisp.
9. Zest and juice the lemon directly into the skillet, stirring to incorporate bright citrus flavors into the sauce.
10. Return chicken to the skillet, spooning garlic butter sauce over the meat and green beans.
11. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, allowing the herbs to add a final layer of freshness to the dish.
12. Serve immediately, ensuring each plate receives a chicken breast, green beans, and a generous drizzle of lemon garlic butter sauce.

Notes

• Perfectly pat chicken breasts dry to ensure crispy, golden-brown exterior and enhance seasoning adhesion.
• Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches safe internal temperature without overcooking, maintaining juicy texture.
• Adjust red pepper flakes quantity based on spice preference, creating a personalized heat level for different palates.
• Transform dish into gluten-free option by using tamari instead of regular soy sauce and ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 90mg