Description
This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet is a quick, flavorful one-pan meal that’s bursting with zesty lemon, fragrant garlic, and tender green beans. Succulent chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection, then finished in a bright, buttery sauce with crisp green beans for a satisfying dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in halves horizontally
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs (optional)
For the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (plus more for garnish)
For the Green Beans
- 10 oz fresh green beans, trimmed
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create thin cutlets. Season both sides with paprika, salt, pepper, and Italian herbs (if using) and set aside.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add the chicken cutlets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate and cover loosely with foil.
- Sauté the Green Beans: In the same pan, add the green beans with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they turn bright green and just start to become tender.
- Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: Push the green beans to one side of the skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon each of butter and olive oil, and stir in the minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir well, scraping up any brown bits.
- Finish the Dish: Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet, nestling them among the green beans. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken until everything is heated through and the sauce slightly thickens. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
- Serve: Plate the chicken with green beans and drizzle with the lemon garlic butter sauce. Garnish with extra parsley if desired. Serve with lemon wedges for extra zing!
Notes
- For extra flavor, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, but adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Substitute asparagus or broccoli for green beans if you prefer.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when searing chicken for the best golden crust.
- The sauce can be enriched with a splash of cream for a richer flavor.
- This recipe is easily doubled for meal prep or bigger gatherings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 92mg
