Description
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet is a quick, one-pan meal that combines tender chicken breasts with sautéed green beans in a rich garlic butter and zesty lemon sauce. This dish offers a perfect balance of bright, tangy flavors and savory depth, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and fresh.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables
- 8 oz fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
Dairy and Fats
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
Citrus and Seasoning
- 1 lemon (zest and juice)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley or thyme
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Trim the green beans and pat the chicken breasts dry. Mince the garlic, zest the lemon, then juice it separately to have all ingredients ready before cooking.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Cook chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and almost cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Green Beans and Garlic: Add remaining olive oil to the same skillet if needed. Add trimmed green beans and sauté for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp. Stir in minced garlic during the last 30 seconds to release fragrance but avoid burning.
- Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: Add butter to the skillet and let it melt gently. Stir in lemon juice and zest, scraping the pan bottom to incorporate browned bits, creating a bright and velvety sauce.
- Combine and Finish Cooking: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them among the green beans. Spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce over the chicken and green beans. Cook together for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through and chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a better golden sear.
- Do not overcrowd the pan for even sautéing and browning.
- Use fresh minced garlic for best flavor and aroma.
- Zest the lemon before juicing to preserve flavorful oils.
- Add lemon juice gradually to balance brightness without overwhelming.
- Frozen green beans can be used but should be thawed and drained first.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with olive oil or a dairy-free alternative.
- Adjust spices, herbs, and vegetables to your preference for customized variations.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: thirty-eight g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg