One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon and Green Beans
Juicy chicken breasts seared in garlic butter with fresh lemon zest and tender green beans, all cooked together in one skillet for an effortless weeknight dinner. This american-inspired chicken (low carb) ready in about 30 minutes pairs unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves, fresh lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp fresh lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 12 oz trimmed green beans
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and sear for 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the same skillet. Sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 12 oz trimmed green beans and 1 tsp fresh lemon zest to the skillet, tossing to coat in the butter and garlic. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until green beans are tender.
- Step 5: Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, drizzle with 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and cook together for an additional 2 minutes to blend flavors before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon and 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon and 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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon and 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon and 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.
Is One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Lemon and 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.
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