🎉 Introduction
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet is a simple yet elegant one-pan dinner that delivers big flavor with minimal cleanup. Juicy chicken thighs are seared until golden, then coated in a rich garlic butter sauce infused with fresh lemon for a bright, comforting finish. Crisp-tender green beans soak up all that buttery goodness, making this a complete and satisfying meal.
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, but it also feels special enough for a relaxed weekend dinner. It’s wholesome, comforting, and naturally low-carb, while still being indulgent and full of flavor. If you love meals that are fast, flavorful, and family-approved, this one belongs on repeat.
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Large skillet (cast iron or non-stick)
- Tongs
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
🛒 Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 12 oz fresh green beans, trimmed
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
These ingredients create a dish that’s juicy, buttery, garlicky, and perfectly balanced with lemon.
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1:
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
Step 2:
Season both sides of the chicken with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
Step 3:
Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Step 4:
Add the chicken thighs in a single layer.
Step 5:
Cook for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 6:
Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining butter to the same skillet.
Step 7:
Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 8:
Add the green beans to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter.
Step 9:
Cook the green beans for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but still crisp.
Step 10:
Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice.
Step 11:
Return the chicken thighs to the skillet.
Step 12:
Spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce over the chicken.
Step 13:
Simmer everything together for 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors.
Step 14:
Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: About 30 minutes
Perfect for quick dinners and easy meal prep.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Storage:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
Reheating:
- Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat
- Add a small splash of water if needed
🥄 Variations
- Extra lemony: Add more lemon zest at the end
- Spicy: Add chili flakes
- Herb-forward: Add fresh parsley or thyme
- Different veggie: Swap green beans for asparagus or zucchini
- Dairy-light: Reduce butter and add extra olive oil
Each variation keeps the dish fresh, flexible, and flavorful.
❓ 10 FAQs
- Can I use bone-in thighs?
Yes, adjust cooking time accordingly. - Is this recipe low-carb?
Yes, naturally low in carbs. - Can kids eat this?
Absolutely, mild and flavorful. - Can I meal prep this?
Yes, reheats very well. - Does lemon make the chicken dry?
No, it keeps it bright and juicy. - Can I use chicken breast?
Yes, but cook carefully to avoid dryness. - Is butter necessary?
It adds richness, but olive oil works too. - Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger skillet. - What pairs well with this?
Rice, potatoes, or crusty bread. - Does this freeze well?
Best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated.
🏁 Conclusion
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet is everything a great weeknight dinner should be—quick, comforting, flavorful, and made in one pan. Juicy chicken, crisp green beans, and a bright buttery sauce come together effortlessly.
Once you try it, it’ll become a staple in your kitchen.
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet – Juicy One-Pan Chicken with Bright Citrus Flavor
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides of the chicken with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken thighs in a single layer.
- Cook for 5–6 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining butter to the same skillet.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the green beans to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter.
- Cook the green beans for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender but still crisp.
- Stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice.
- Return the chicken thighs to the skillet.
- Spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce over the chicken.
- Simmer everything together for 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
Yes, adjust cooking time accordingly. Is this recipe low-carb?
Yes, naturally low in carbs. Can kids eat this?
Absolutely, mild and flavorful. Can I meal prep this?
Yes, reheats very well. Does lemon make the chicken dry?
No, it keeps it bright and juicy. Can I use chicken breast?
Yes, but cook carefully to avoid dryness. Is butter necessary?
It adds richness, but olive oil works too. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, use a larger skillet. What pairs well with this?
Rice, potatoes, or crusty bread. Does this freeze well?
Best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated. 🏁 Conclusion Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet is everything a great weeknight dinner should be—quick, comforting, flavorful, and made in one pan. Juicy chicken, crisp green beans, and a bright buttery sauce come together effortlessly. Once you try it, it’ll become a staple in your kitchen.
