lemon garlic butter chicken and green beans

🍋🧄🥘 Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans

🧾 Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Chicken:

• 1½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs

• Salt & black pepper, to taste

• 1 tsp paprika (optional, for color)

• 1–2 tbsp olive oil

For the Sauce:

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tbsp)

• 1 tsp lemon zest

• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

• ⅓ cup chicken broth (or dry white wine)

• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)

For the Green Beans:

• 12 oz fresh green beans, trimmed

• Salt to taste

• Optional: 1 tbsp butter or olive oil

🔪 Instructions

1️⃣ Prep & Sear the Chicken

• Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.

• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.

• Sear chicken for 4–6 minutes per side (depending on thickness) until golden brown and cooked through.

• Remove and set aside. (Tent with foil to keep warm.)

2️⃣ Sauté the Green Beans

• In the same pan, add a bit more oil or butter if needed.

• Add green beans and a pinch of salt.

• Sauté for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender.

• Remove and set aside with the chicken.

3️⃣ Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

• Lower heat to medium.

• Add butter to the pan and melt.

• Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

• Add lemon juice, zest, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth.

• Simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping up browned bits from the pan.

• Return chicken and green beans to the skillet. Spoon sauce over everything.

• Simmer for 2–3 more minutes, just to reheat and blend flavors.

4️⃣ Serve

• Garnish with chopped parsley and extra lemon slices if desired.

• Serve as-is or with rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.

✅ Tips

• For extra juicy chicken, use thighs or lightly pound breasts to even thickness before cooking.

• Want it creamy? Stir in 1–2 tbsp heavy cream or a splash of white wine with the broth.

• Make it a full meal: add cherry tomatoes or baby potatoes with the green beans.

Would you like a sheet pan version, a keto adaptation, or a version with honey lemon glaze?