There’s something about the bright zing of lemon mixed with savory garlic and buttery goodness that just makes dinner feel special. The Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet Recipe is one of those perfect weeknight meals that satisfies without fuss, thanks to juicy chicken, crisp green beans, and a luscious pan sauce all in one skillet.

The image shows a close-up of five golden-brown chicken pieces placed on top of a bed of fresh, bright green beans. The chicken pieces have a slightly crispy texture with visible seasoning and bits of garlic scattered on the surface, showing a rich, savory glaze. The green beans are long, smooth, and fresh, surrounding and slightly overlapping the chicken, creating a contrast between the bright green and the warm golden-brown colors of the meat. The background features a subtle white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This skillet recipe quickly became my go-to when I want something comforting yet fresh. What I adore is how easy it is to pull together while still tasting like a restaurant-worthy dish—they just get so much flavor from that lemon garlic butter sauce!

Simple One-Skillet Cooking: Less cleanup but still big flavor means dinner’s stress-free and satisfying.
Bright, Balanced Flavors: The lemon’s acidity cuts through the richness of butter and chicken perfectly.
Perfectly Tender Chicken and Crisp Green Beans: The steaming technique keeps beans crunch-tender while chicken stays juicy.
Customizable Heat Level: You control the red pepper flakes, so it’s just right for your taste buds.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet Recipe plays a key role making this dish shine. From the bright lemon juice to the savory garlic powder and smoky paprika, the flavors build beautifully behind tender chicken thighs and vibrant green beans.

Flat lay of fresh green beans with vibrant green pods, four plump boneless skinless chicken thighs seasoned with visible spices, a whole uncracked brown egg, a halved bright yellow lemon showing juicy interior alongside several whole lemon slices, small white ceramic bowls containing golden olive oil, smooth pale butter chunks, finely minced fresh garlic cloves, coarse salt crystals, ground black pepper, vivid red pepper flakes, and sprigs of fresh green parsley and dill placed symmetrically in simple white ceramic bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken broth: Adds moisture and deglazes the pan to pull up those delicious browned bits.
Fresh green beans: Steamed first so they stay crisp yet tender; don’t skip the steaming step!
Salt and pepper: Season simply for balanced flavor—don’t be shy with the salt.
Garlic powder: Enhances the garlic punch without overpowering the fresh garlic later.
Smoked paprika: Adds gentle smokiness that deepens the flavor profile.
Olive or avocado oil: For searing chicken with a nice golden crust.
Chicken thighs: Juicy and forgiving, they stay tender even if slightly overcooked.
Minced garlic: Fresh garlic creates the sauce’s aromatic base.
Lemon juice: Brings that signature bright citrus note that wakes up the dish.
Red pepper flakes: Just a touch adds warmth—you can always leave it out if you prefer mild.
Butter: Rich and silky, it melts into the sauce to tie all the flavors together.
Fresh parsley, dill, lemon slices: Optional garnishes to brighten and add fresh herb aroma.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing it up depending on what’s in my fridge or how I’m feeling. This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet Recipe is such a flexible base—you can tweak seasonings or swap out ingredients without losing its signature flavor.

Variation: I sometimes add sliced mushrooms or cherry tomatoes near the end for extra veggies and a burst of sweetness.
Make it spicier: Double the red pepper flakes or add diced jalapeño for a hotter kick.
Keto-friendly swap: Serve it with mashed cauliflower instead of green beans to keep it low-carb but hearty.
Mild option: Skip the red pepper flakes entirely and maybe add a splash of honey to balance the tart lemon.
Different protein: Chicken breasts or thighs work well, but thighs give you that extra juicy tenderness I adore.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet Recipe

The image shows two pieces of cooked chicken with a crispy, golden-brown outer layer that has a slightly shiny, textured sauce coating. One piece is held by a silver fork, revealing the white, juicy inside. Surrounding the chicken are bright green, smooth green beans that fill the background and frame the chicken well, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Steam those green beans to crisp-tender perfection

Start by heating your large skillet over medium heat. Pour in half the chicken broth along with the fresh green beans, then cover with a lid to trap the steam. Cooking these green beans this way is a game changer—they turn bright green and stay perfectly crisp, never floppy. After five minutes, remove the lid and cook an additional 2-3 minutes so any leftover liquid evaporates, giving you green beans with perfect texture. Set them aside while you cook the chicken.

Step 2: Season and sear the chicken thighs

Patting your chicken thighs dry is key to getting a golden crust instead of steaming them in the pan. Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika into a seasoning blend, then sprinkle generously on both sides of the thighs. Use olive or avocado oil heated until shimmering, and place the chicken in your skillet. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes per side. You want a nice golden brown—don’t rush this step to avoid rubbery chicken.

Step 3: Build the luscious lemon garlic butter sauce

Once the chicken is done, transfer it to your plate with the green beans. Turn the heat down to medium, and add the remaining chicken broth to deglaze the pan. Use a wooden spatula to scrape all those tasty browned bits stuck to the pan—they’re pure flavor! Toss in the minced garlic, lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and red pepper flakes. Let this simmer gently until the sauce reduces by half. Finish by stirring in butter, which makes the sauce luscious and coats chicken and beans beautifully.

Step 4: Bring it all together and reheat gently

Slide the chicken and green beans back into the pan with the sauce, tucking everything in gently so you don’t tear the chicken. Let it warm through for 2-3 minutes. This final step lets the flavors meld and makes sure the chicken is juicy and the beans are perfectly coated with the buttery sauce.

Top Tip

After making this Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet Recipe a dozen times, I’ve learned a few things that really make it shine—and I want to share those with you so your dinner comes out perfect every time.

Pat Your Chicken Dry: I can’t stress this enough. Wet chicken won’t brown properly, and you lose that gorgeous caramelized flavor.
Don’t Skip Steaming the Green Beans: It locks in their bright color and crisp texture better than just tossing them raw in the pan.
Use a Lid During Steaming: Helps trap the steam and cooks green beans evenly without drying them out.
Deglaze That Pan: Those brown bits hold so much flavor—scraping them up with broth is a small step that revs up the sauce enormously.

How to Serve Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet Recipe

Lemon Garlic Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle fresh parsley or dill right over the finished dish—the herbs add that subtle brightness and a pop of color I love. A few lemon slices on the side make it feel fresh and inviting, and if you want extra zip, don’t hesitate to add a pinch more red pepper flakes to taste.

Side Dishes

This recipe is quite complete on its own, but I sometimes serve it alongside creamy mashed potatoes or garlic butter rice to soak up every bit of that luscious sauce. For a low-carb option, cauliflower mash is a fantastic partner.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like to serve this recipe in a cast iron skillet straight at the table—it stays warm, looks rustic, and makes the meal feel cozy and homemade. Adding a few edible flowers or a vibrant side salad can also make it feel extra festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I pop leftovers into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The chicken stays tender and the green beans retain a decent snap, though they soften a bit. Just make sure to reheat gently!

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish successfully a couple of times. The texture of the green beans softens when frozen, so if you prefer crisp veggies, I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce separately, or just making fresh beans when serving.

Reheating

To keep everything tender when reheating, warm it gently in a skillet over low heat with a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce. Microwaving works in a pinch, but watch the time to avoid drying out the chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breasts will work, but they cook a bit faster and can dry out more easily compared to thighs. Keep a close eye during cooking to avoid overcooking.

What can I substitute for green beans?

You can swap green beans for asparagus, snap peas, or even broccoli florets. Just adjust the steaming time accordingly so the veggies stay tender-crisp.

Is this recipe keto-friendly?

Yes, this recipe is great for keto diets. It's low in carbs and rich in healthy fats and protein, especially if you serve it without starchy sides.

How spicy is this dish?

The red pepper flakes add a mild warmth that’s easy to adjust. You can reduce or omit them for a milder version or increase for more heat depending on your preference.

Final Thoughts

This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet Recipe holds a special place in my weeknight cooking rotation because it feels both effortless and elevated. I love how you get that rich buttery sauce brightened with lemon, juicy chicken that’s bursting with flavor, and veggies that keep their crunch. I hope you try this soon—it’s like a comforting hug on a plate and always impresses without the fuss.