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Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet

Savor a quick and flavorful one-pan Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet meal, combining tender, juicy chicken breasts with crisp green beans enveloped in a rich, bright lemon garlic butter sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or comforting dinners, this recipe delivers vibrant flavors with minimal cleanup and balanced nutrition.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Vegetables

  • 8 ounces fresh green beans, trimmed

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • Optional fresh herbs (parsley or thyme), chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Trim the green beans and pat the chicken breasts dry. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper to ensure a flavorful crust during cooking.
  2. Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Cook the Green Beans: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil if needed. Toss in the fresh green beans and sauté for 3-5 minutes until they are bright green, tender-crisp, and still have a slight crunch.
  4. Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest, allowing the butter to melt and form a silky, aromatic sauce.
  5. 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 vegetables. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/75°C) and the flavors meld beautifully.

Notes

  • Pat the chicken dry before seasoning for a perfect golden sear.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to maintain heat and proper caramelization.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest citrus flavor.
  • Let the chicken rest a few minutes off the heat to keep it juicy and tender.
  • Adjust the amount of garlic to your taste preference.
  • Avoid overcooking green beans to keep a tender-crisp texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon garlic butter chicken, green beans skillet, one-pan chicken dinner, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, healthy chicken skillet, gluten free chicken dinner