Name: Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet-Easy Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; Salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet is the weeknight dinner hero you’ve been dreaming of. Imagin extracte this: tender, juicy chicken pieces bathed in a luxurious, bright lemon garlic butter sauce, all cooked in a single skillet alongside crisp-tender green beans. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures that comes together with minimal fuss, making it an absolute favorite in kitchens everywhere. What is it about this dish that captures our hearts and taste buds? Perhaps it’s the incredible simplicity that yields such profound flavor. The vibrant tang of lemon cuts through the richness of the butter, while the pungent aroma of garlic infuses every bite. It’s the kind of meal that feels both comforting and sophisticated, proving that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to create something truly delicious and satisfying. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a solution to the age-old question of “What’s for dinner?”

Ingredients:

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1/2 lemon)
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Preparing the Chicken and Vegetables

Chicken Preparation

The foundation of our delicious Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet starts with perfectly prepared chicken. I like to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe because they are incredibly forgiving and tend to stay moist and flavorful even with quick cooking. You’ll want to cut them into roughly 1-inch bite-sized pieces. This size ensures that the chicken cooks through evenly and quickly in the skillet, integrating beautifully with the other components of the dish. Before you start cooking, it’s a good idea to pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This seemingly small step is crucial for achieving a nice sear on the chicken, which adds depth of flavor and a pleasing texture. Don’t skip this! Season the dried chicken pieces generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. This initial seasoning is your first opportunity to build flavor, so be liberal with it.

Green Bean Preparation

Next, let’s talk about the green beans. For this skillet dish, you’ll need about a pound of fresh green beans. The key here is to trim off the tough ends. You can do this by snapping them with your fingers or using a sharp knife. If your green beans are particularly large, you might consider cutting them in half or thirds, but for most standard-sized beans, keeping them whole provides a nice visual and textural element. Again, it’s beneficial to give the green beans a quick rinse and then pat them dry. This helps prevent them from steaming too much in the pan and ensures they get a nice sauté.

Cooking the Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans

Searing the Chicken

Now for the fun part – cooking! We’ll start by heating a large skillet, preferably a cast-iron skillet or a good quality non-stick skillet, over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the unsalted butter to the hot skillet. Once the butter has melted and is just starting to foam, it’s time to add your seasoned chicken pieces. Be careful not to overcrowd the skillet. If you have too much chicken in the pan, it will steam instead of sear, which is not what we’re aiming for. You may need to cook the chicken in batches. Let the chicken cook undisturbed for about 3-4 minutes per side, until it’s nicely browned and has developed a beautiful golden-crust. Once the chicken is seared, remove it from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. You’ll want to leave any rendered chicken drippings in the pan, as these are packed with flavor.

Sautéing the Aromatics and Green Beans

With the chicken removed, reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the same skillet. Once the butter has melted, add your minced garlic, dried oregano, and the optional red pepper flakes. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds to a minute until the garlic is fragrant. Be very careful not to burn the garlic, as burnt garlic can turn bitter. Immediately after the garlic has become fragrant, add the trimmed green beans to the skillet. Sauté the green beans for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender-crisp. You want them to be vibrant green and still have a slight bite to them, not mushy. This is where the magic of sautéing happens, allowing the green beans to absorb some of the delicious garlic-butter flavor.

Bringin extractg it All Together

Once the green beans have reached your desired tenderness, it’s time to bring everything back together. Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet with the green beans. Pour in the 1/4 cup of low-sodium chicken broth and the 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. Stir everything to combine. The chicken broth and lemon juice will create a light, flavorful sauce that coats the chicken and vegetables. Let the mixture simmer for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the chicken to finish cooking through and the sauce to reduce slightly, thickening just enough to cling to the ingredients. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed. The lemon juice will add a lovely brightness, and the butter will provide richness, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

Finishing and Serving

Before serving our Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet, I love to give it a final flourish. If you have fresh parsley on hand, sprinkle a generous amount of chopped parsley over the top. This adds a beautiful pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note that complements the rich, savory flavors of the dish. Give the skillet a final stir to distribute the parsley. Serve this dish hot, directly from the skillet, for a truly rustic and appealing presentation. It’s a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with a side of rice or crusty bread to soak up all that incredible lemon garlic butter sauce. Enjoy the simplicity and deliciousness of this one-pan wonder!

Conclusion:

There you have it! The Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet is more than just a meal; it’s a symphony of bright, zesty flavors and comforting textures, all coming together in one convenient pan. We’ve explored how simple ingredients can transform into an impressive, yet incredibly easy, weeknight dinner that your whole family will adore. The vibrant lemon and rich garlic butter sauce perfectly complements the tender chicken and crisp green beans, creating a dish that’s both healthy and satisfying. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make this recipe your own. The beauty of the Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet lies in its adaptability. Feel free to add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, or perhaps some cherry tomatoes for an extra burst of sweetness. Serve it as is for a light and wholesome meal, or alongside a fluffy bed of rice or quinoa to soak up that delectable sauce. We truly hope you enjoy making and, most importantly, devouring this fantastic dish!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other vegetables in place of green beans?

Absolutely! While green beans provide a wonderful crispness, you can easily substitute them with other quick-cooking vegetables. Broccoli florets, asparagus spears, or even sliced bell peppers would work wonderfully. Just be mindful of their cooking times and add them accordingly to ensure they are tender-crisp when the chicken is cooked through.

How can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can prepare most of the components in advance. Marinate the chicken, chop your vegetables, and pre-mix the garlic butter sauce. When you’re ready to cook, simply heat the skillet and proceed with the recipe. This will significantly cut down on your active cooking time for a truly speedy meal.