Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Sautéed Green Beans
Juicy chicken thighs with a bright lemon-garlic glaze and tender-crisp green beans for a satisfying weeknight meal. This american-inspired chicken (low-carb) ready in about 30 minutes pairs chicken thighs, olive oil, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1.5 cups green beans
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 3: Place chicken thighs skin-side down in skillet and cook for 8 minutes until golden brown.
- Step 4: Flip chicken and cook for 6 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 5: Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 6: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 7: Add green beans and cook for 5 minutes until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.
- Step 8: Return chicken to skillet, stir in 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp thyme, and 1 tbsp lemon juice, then cook for 2 minutes to heat through.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Sautéed Green Beans take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Sautéed Green Beans?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Sautéed Green Beans?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Sautéed Green Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Sautéed Green Beans low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Easy and flavorful, will make again.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Whole family loved these.
- ★★★★☆
Cooked perfectly, though the green beans took longer to sauté than the recipe said.
Related recipes
Sheet Pan Lemon-Thyme Chicken with Roasted Potatoes
Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Dill Butter
Smoky BBQ Chicken and Cornbread Casserole
Garlic-Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs with Herbed Potatoes
Oven-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Rosemary and Garlic
Crisp-Crust Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Butter
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
