Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet
Meta Description: This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet is a quick one-pan dinner featuring juicy chicken, crisp-tender green beans, fresh lemon, and a rich garlic butter sauce.
If you need an easy dinner that delivers big flavor with minimal cleanup, this Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet is a perfect choice. Tender pieces of chicken are pan-seared until golden, then cooked with fresh green beans in a delicious garlic butter sauce brightened with lemon juice.
Everything comes together in one skillet, making this recipe ideal for busy weeknights. Serve it with rice, mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or enjoy it on its own for a lighter meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Green Beans
- 12 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces or thin strips.
Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Toss well so every piece is evenly coated.
2. Sear the Chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Once hot, add the chicken in a single layer. Cook for approximately 4–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet. If necessary, cook the chicken in two batches.
3. Cook the Green Beans
Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet.
Add the green beans and sauté for 3–4 minutes.
Pour in ½ cup chicken broth and cover the skillet.
Cook for another 4–5 minutes, until the green beans are tender but still slightly crisp.
Remove the lid and allow any excess liquid to evaporate.
Transfer the green beans to a plate with the chicken.
4. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Add the butter to the skillet.
Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for approximately 30–45 seconds, just until fragrant.
Be careful not to brown or burn the garlic.
Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to release the flavorful browned bits.
Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using.
Simmer for approximately 2–3 minutes.
5. Return the Chicken and Green Beans
Return the cooked chicken and green beans to the skillet.
Toss everything gently so the garlic butter sauce coats the chicken and vegetables.
Cook for another 2–3 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and lemon juice if needed.
6. Garnish and Serve
Remove the skillet from the heat.
Sprinkle generously with fresh parsley.
Add a few thin lemon slices for garnish and, if desired, sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Serve hot with your favorite side dish.
Tips for the Best Chicken and Green Beans
Don’t overcook the chicken: Remove it from the skillet as soon as it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Use fresh lemon: Fresh lemon juice and zest provide much brighter flavor than bottled juice.
Don’t burn the garlic: Garlic cooks very quickly. Keep the heat moderate after adding it to the butter.
Let the chicken brown: A good golden sear creates flavorful bits that make the sauce even better.
Use chicken thighs: Boneless chicken thighs are especially juicy and forgiving if you prefer darker meat.
Easy Variations
Add Potatoes
Add small diced baby potatoes and cook them until tender before adding the chicken.
Make It Creamy
Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream at the end for a rich creamy lemon garlic sauce.
Add Parmesan
Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the skillet just before serving.
Add More Vegetables
Try mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, or bell peppers.
Make It Spicy
Increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth to prevent the chicken from drying out.
This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet is juicy, buttery, garlicky, and full of fresh lemon flavor. Everything cooks together in one pan, giving you a delicious homemade dinner with minimal preparation and cleanup.