Name: Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Green Beans Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup chicken broth, divided; 12 ounces fresh green beans; 1-1/4 teaspoons salt, divided; ½ teaspoon pepper; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon smoked paprika; 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil; 4-5 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless; 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves); 1 lemon, juiced; ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes; 3 tablespoons butter; Fresh parsley; Fresh dill; Lemon slices; Extra red pepper flakes

Nothing beats the comforting sizzle of juicy chicken thighs swimming in a luscious lemon garlic butter sauce accented by crisp green beans. This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Green Beans Recipe is the kind of meal that feels both fresh and indulgent, perfect for busy weeknights or anytime you want to impress without the fuss.

The image shows a close-up of cooked chicken thighs and green beans mixed together. The dish has five chicken thighs that are golden brown with a slightly crispy, spiced surface. They are placed evenly among many bright green beans that look fresh and tender, with a smooth, shiny texture from the sauce coating them. The chicken and green beans are combined closely, filling the image frame, which sits on a white marbled textured surface. 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 with Green Beans Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Green Beans Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Green Beans Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made this recipe countless times, and every single time it surprises me how simple ingredients come together into such a flavorful, comforting dish. You get juicy, tender chicken with steamed green beans all laced in a buttery, garlicky, zesty sauce that feels really special but takes almost no effort.

One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in one skillet, cutting down on cleanup—big win for busy cooks.
Fresh & Bright Flavors: The lemon juice cuts through the richness, giving the chicken a lively freshness.
Healthy & Low-Carb: This recipe is keto-friendly and packed with protein and fiber from the green beans.
Customizable Heat: You control the spice level with red pepper flakes; add more or less to suit your taste.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient here plays a specific role to balance flavor, texture, and nutrition. The chicken thighs stay juicy thanks to the skinless boneless cut, and green beans provide a crisp contrast. The chicken broth steams and deglazes the pan, adding depth without heaviness.

Flat lay of fresh green beans arranged neatly, whole boneless skinless chicken thighs with a natural pinkish hue, a whole lemon cut into thin slices, a small white ceramic bowl filled with bright yellow butter, a small white bowl containing golden olive oil, a few whole uncracked brown eggs placed aside, a small white bowl of chicken broth clear and light, fresh sprigs of parsley and dill, scattered red pepper flakes on the clean white surface, and a small white bowl with minced garlic cloves, 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 thighs: These stay tender and juicy, much better than breasts when cooked in a skillet.
Green beans: Fresh green beans add crunch and vibrant color; snap ends before cooking for the best bite.
Chicken broth: Used for steaming and to build the sauce, giving it savory richness without extra calories.
Lemon juice: The acidity brightens the butter sauce and balances the richness beautifully.
Garlic cloves (minced): Fresh garlic brings intense flavor that infused into the butter and chicken.
Butter: Creates a velvety sauce while adding a comforting richness that coats every bite.
Olive or avocado oil: For browning chicken evenly and safely without burning.
Spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes): Layered seasoning gives warmth, slight smokiness, and a pinch of heat.
Fresh garnishes (parsley, dill, lemon slices): These fresh herbs and citrus slices add fragrance and a pop of zesty freshness at the end.

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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 adding a little twist depending on my mood or what herbs I have on hand. This recipe is so versatile that small tweaks still keep it delicious—feel free to experiment and make it yours!

Variation: One time, I swapped the green beans for asparagus—just as tasty and cooked perfectly using the same method.
Spice it up: If you like your food spicier, I add a pinch more red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
Dairy-free: You can use vegan butter or a little extra olive oil instead of butter for a dairy-free version that still tastes rich.
Protein swap: Chicken breasts work too if you cook carefully not to dry them out; thinner cutlets cook quickly and stay tender.

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

The image shows two thick pieces of golden-brown chicken on a bed of bright green beans. The chicken has a shiny, slightly spicy glaze with visible small bits of seasoning on the surface. One piece of chicken is slightly broken open, revealing white, tender inside meat. A silver fork is poking into the broken piece of chicken from the right side. The green beans are fresh and have a smooth texture, tucked around the chicken, lying on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Steam the Green Beans to Perfection

Start by heating your large skillet over medium heat, then toss in ¼ cup of chicken broth and the fresh green beans. Cover with a lid and let them steam for 5 minutes. This locks in that fresh snap without overcooking. Remove the lid and cook 2-3 more minutes so the liquid evaporates, leaving the beans tender-crisp. Transfer them to a plate—trust me, this step is key to keeping their bright color and crunch.

Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken Thighs

While the green beans steam, mix 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Pat your chicken thighs dry—this helps get a beautiful sear—and season generously on both sides with the spice blend. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in the same skillet over medium-high. When it’s shimmering, lay down the chicken, skin side down if it had skin (here it’s skinless), and cook each side for 5-7 minutes or until nicely browned and cooked through. Move the chicken to the plate with the green beans and keep any juices in the pan.

Step 3: Create the Lemony Garlic Butter Sauce

Reduce heat to medium and pour in the remaining ¼ cup chicken broth to deglaze your skillet—scrape up all those golden bits stuck to the bottom; that’s pure flavor! Add minced garlic, lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Let the sauce simmer gently until it reduces by about half, thickening up nicely. Finally, stir in the butter and cook for another 1-2 minutes until it melts into the sauce, making it luxuriously silky.

Step 4: Bring it All Together and Serve

Return the chicken and green beans to the skillet, spooning that gorgeous sauce over them. Let everything reheat together for 2-3 minutes so flavors mingle and the beans and chicken are perfectly coated. Serve immediately with optional garnishes like lemon slices, fresh parsley or dill, and extra red pepper flakes if you want a kick.

Top Tip

Having made this Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Green Beans Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few little tricks that really take it from good to unforgettable.

Dry the chicken thoroughly: Moisture on chicken prevents a proper sear; for a golden crust, pat dry with paper towels before seasoning.
Don’t rush steaming green beans: Cover and steam properly before sautéing to keep beans vibrant and crisp, not mushy.
Deglaze with broth while pan is hot: Scraping the browned bits releases deep flavor crucial for the sauce.
Add butter at the end off low heat: This keeps it creamy and prevents separation, giving the sauce a perfect velvety finish.

How to Serve Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Green Beans Recipe

Lemon Garlic Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top this dish with fresh lemon slices and a sprinkle of chopped parsley or dill. The herbs add a lovely fragrance and freshness that beautifully complement the buttery sauce, and the lemon brightens every bite. If you like heat, a few extra red pepper flakes on top never hurt!

Side Dishes

Since this meal is low-carb and filling, I often serve it with cauliflower rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up all the sauce. A simple quinoa salad or crusty bread on the side works great too if you want a bit more heft.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I like plating the chicken thighs atop a bed of the green beans and garnishing with edible flowers and lemon zest for a fancy touch. It makes even a weeknight feel celebratory—perfect if you’re hosting friends or family.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days. The green beans hold up well if you avoid overcooking them initially, and the sauce keeps the chicken moist and flavorful.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully. I separate the chicken and green beans with sauce into freezer-safe containers and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Just be aware the green beans may soften a little more after freezing, but still taste delicious.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet on low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if the sauce thickened too much. This keeps the chicken juicy and green beans from drying out or overcooking in the microwave.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes! You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but be careful not to overcook them since they dry out faster. Pound them to even thickness for best results and reduce cooking time slightly.

How do I make this recipe dairy-free?

Simply swap the butter for a vegan butter or use extra olive oil for richness. The dish will still have great flavor and the sauce will be wonderfully silky.

Can I use frozen green beans?

Fresh green beans work best to keep that crisp texture, but if using frozen, thaw and pat them dry well. You may want to reduce the initial steaming time to avoid mushiness.

How spicy is this dish with red pepper flakes?

The red pepper flakes add a gentle heat that enhances the dish without overwhelming it. You can easily adjust the amount to suit your spice preference, from mild to medium-hot.

Final Thoughts

This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Green Beans Recipe is one of those cozy, reliable dishes I turn to again and again. It’s approachable, full of flavor, and just feels like home on a plate. I really hope you enjoy making and eating it as much as I do—like sharing a delicious secret with a good friend in the kitchen.