One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Sautéed Green Beans
Tender chicken breasts cooked in a garlic butter sauce served with crisp sautéed green beans, ready in under 30 minutes. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves, fresh thyme leaves 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.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (about 12 oz total) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 12 oz, trimmed fresh green beans
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp, divided kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
- 1 tbsp, fresh squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz total) and season both sides with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Add chicken breasts to the hot skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes on one side without moving until golden brown, then flip and cook another 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken is cooked through; transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
- Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter to the same skillet along with 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves; sauté for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Add 12 oz trimmed fresh green beans and season with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper; toss to coat in butter and garlic, cook for 5-6 minutes stirring occasionally until green beans are tender crisp.
- Step 5: Return chicken breasts to the skillet, drizzle with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and cook together for 1 minute to meld flavors before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Sautéed Green Beans take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (5 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 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 unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken 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.
What goes well with One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Sautéed 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.
