Lemon-Herb Crusted Chicken with Garlic Green Beans

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken breasts coated in lemon zest and herbs, served with perfectly crisp-tender garlic green beans for a bright, flavorful weeknight dinner. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs boneless chicken breasts, lemon, dried thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, 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.

★ 4.4 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken dry, then coat evenly with 2 tbsp flour. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tbsp olive oil until shimmering; add chicken and cook for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F), then transfer to a plate.
  2. Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and minced garlic to skillet; sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then add green beans and 1/4 cup water. Cover and steam for 7 minutes until beans are crisp-tender, stirring once.
  3. Step 3: Return chicken to skillet, add lemon zest, juice, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper; toss to coat. Melt butter into the pan and cook for 1 minute more until sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Herb Crusted Chicken with Garlic Green Beans take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 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-Herb Crusted Chicken with Garlic 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 boneless chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Herb Crusted Chicken with Garlic 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-Herb Crusted Chicken with Garlic Green Beans for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.

What goes well with Lemon-Herb Crusted Chicken with Garlic Green Beans?

American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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