One-Pot Garlic Lemon Chicken with Green Beans

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

A simple and bright chicken dish cooked in one pot with fresh green beans and a lemon-garlic sauce. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, fresh green beans, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat dry 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and sear for 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
  2. Step 2: While the chicken cooks, trim 8 oz fresh green beans and mince 4 garlic cloves. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to medium, add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 3 tbsp lemon juice, scraping the browned bits from the pan.
  4. Step 4: Add the green beans to the skillet, cover, and cook for 5 minutes until the beans are tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, spoon the sauce over them, and cook uncovered for 2 more minutes to blend flavors and warm through. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Garlic Lemon Chicken with 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-Pot Garlic Lemon Chicken with 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 fresh green beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Garlic Lemon Chicken with 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-Pot Garlic Lemon Chicken with 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 One-Pot Garlic Lemon Chicken with Green Beans?

Mediterranean 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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