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.
- Author: Sarah
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: lemon garlic butter chicken, green beans skillet, one-pan chicken dinner, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, healthy chicken skillet, gluten free chicken dinner