Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet – A Juicy, One-Pan, Flavor-Packed Dinner That’s Easy and Comforting

🎉 Introduction

If you’re looking for a dinner that’s simple, comforting, and bursting with flavor, Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet is exactly what you need. Juicy chicken thighs are seared until golden, then simmered gently in a rich garlic butter sauce with fresh lemon and tender green beans. Everything cooks together in one skillet, creating a meal that feels special without being complicated.

This dish shines because of its balance. Chicken thighs stay incredibly moist and flavorful, the green beans add freshness and texture, and the lemon garlic butter sauce ties everything together with brightness and richness. It’s the kind of recipe that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen — even though it comes together quickly.

Perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep, this skillet meal is naturally high in protein and made with everyday ingredients. Cozy, satisfying, and endlessly repeatable, this Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet is a recipe you’ll want to keep on hand.

🧰 Equipment Needed

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring spoons
• Tongs or spatula

🛒 Ingredients

Protein

• 1½ lbs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless

Vegetables

• 12 oz green beans, trimmed

Aromatics

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Sauce & Fats

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ cup chicken broth

Fresh Finish

• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley, chopped

These ingredients create a rich, buttery skillet meal with bright lemon flavor and tender chicken.

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Season the Chicken

• Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
• Season both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add chicken thighs and cook for 5–6 minutes per side, until golden brown.
• Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Garlic

• Reduce heat to medium.
• Add butter to the skillet.
• Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4: Deglaze the Pan

• Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
• Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest.

Step 5: Add Green Beans

• Add green beans to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
• Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender.

Step 6: Combine and Finish Cooking

• Return chicken thighs to the skillet.
• Spoon sauce over the chicken.
• Cover and cook for 8–10 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and green beans are tender.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

• Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
• Serve hot straight from the skillet.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 4
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes

Perfect for an easy, satisfying dinner.

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheating

• Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.
• Add a splash of chicken broth if needed to loosen the sauce.

🥄 Variations

• Extra Lemon Flavor: Add more lemon zest
• Garlic Lover’s Version: Increase garlic cloves
• Low-Carb Meal: Enjoy as-is
• Meal Prep Friendly: Portion into containers
• Milder Taste: Reduce lemon juice slightly
• Family Style: Double the recipe in a larger skillet

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Are chicken thighs better than breasts here?
   Yes, they stay juicier and more flavorful.
2. Is this recipe healthy?
   Yes, it’s balanced and protein-rich.
3. Can kids eat this?
   Yes, it’s mild and family-friendly.
4. Does the lemon overpower the dish?
   No, it adds brightness without being sharp.
5. Can I use frozen green beans?
   Yes, thaw first for best texture.
6. Is this good for meal prep?
   Absolutely.
7. Can I make this ahead?
   Yes, it reheats very well.
8. Is this a one-pan recipe?
   Yes, everything cooks in one skillet.
9. Can I freeze leftovers?
   Yes, for up to 2 months.
10. What pairs well with this dish?
    Rice, quinoa, or enjoy on its own.

🏁 Conclusion

This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet is the kind of dinner that delivers comfort, freshness, and big flavor all at once. Juicy chicken, tender green beans, and a rich lemon garlic butter sauce come together in one pan for a meal that’s both easy and impressive. Whether you’re cooking for your family or prepping meals ahead, this recipe is a reliable favorite you’ll come back to again and again.

Adam

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet – A Juicy, One-Pan, Flavor-Packed Dinner That’s Easy and Comforting

If you’re looking for a dinner that’s simple, comforting, and bursting with flavor, Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet is exactly what you need. Juicy chicken thighs are seared until golden, then simmered gently in a rich garlic butter sauce with fresh lemon and tender green beans. Everything cooks together in one skillet, creating a meal that feels special without being complicated. This dish shines because of its balance. Chicken thighs stay incredibly moist and flavorful, the green beans add freshness and texture, and the lemon garlic butter sauce ties everything together with brightness and richness. It’s the kind of recipe that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen — even though it comes together quickly. Perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep, this skillet meal is naturally high in protein and made with everyday ingredients. Cozy, satisfying, and endlessly repeatable, this Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet is a recipe you’ll want to keep on hand.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Protein

• 1½ lbs chicken thighs boneless and skinless

Vegetables

• 12 oz green beans trimmed

Aromatics

• 4 garlic cloves minced

Seasonings

• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Sauce & Fats

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ cup chicken broth

Fresh Finish

• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley chopped
• These ingredients create a rich buttery skillet meal with bright lemon flavor and tender chicken.

Equipment

• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Measuring spoons
• Tongs or spatula

Method

 

Step 1: Season the Chicken

1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
2. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried thyme.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add chicken thighs and cook for 5–6 minutes per side, until golden brown.
3. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Garlic

1. Reduce heat to medium.
2. Add butter to the skillet.
3. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 4: Deglaze the Pan

1. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
2. Stir in lemon juice and lemon zest.

Step 5: Add Green Beans

1. Add green beans to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
2. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender.

Step 6: Combine and Finish Cooking

1. Return chicken thighs to the skillet.
2. Spoon sauce over the chicken.
3. Cover and cook for 8–10 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and green beans are tender.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

1. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
2. Serve hot straight from the skillet.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.

Add a splash of chicken broth if needed to loosen the sauce.

🥄 Variations

Extra Lemon Flavor: Add more lemon zest

Garlic Lover’s Version: Increase garlic cloves

Low-Carb Meal: Enjoy as-is

Meal Prep Friendly: Portion into containers

Milder Taste: Reduce lemon juice slightly

Family Style: Double the recipe in a larger skillet

❓ 10 FAQs

Are chicken thighs better than breasts here?
Yes, they stay juicier and more flavorful.

Is this recipe healthy?
Yes, it’s balanced and protein-rich.

Can kids eat this?
Yes, it’s mild and family-friendly.

Does the lemon overpower the dish?
No, it adds brightness without being sharp.

Can I use frozen green beans?
Yes, thaw first for best texture.

Is this good for meal prep?
Absolutely.

Can I make this ahead?
Yes, it reheats very well.

Is this a one-pan recipe?
Yes, everything cooks in one skillet.

Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, for up to 2 months.

What pairs well with this dish?
Rice, quinoa, or enjoy on its own.

🏁 Conclusion

This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet is the kind of dinner that delivers comfort, freshness, and big flavor all at once. Juicy chicken, tender green beans, and a rich lemon garlic butter sauce come together in one pan for a meal that’s both easy and impressive. Whether you’re cooking for your family or prepping meals ahead, this recipe is a reliable favorite you’ll come back to again and again.