Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter and Green Beans
Tender pan-seared chicken breasts finished with a garlic herb butter sauce, served alongside crisp sautéed green beans. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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 1 lb) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 12 oz trimmed fresh green beans
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Add chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes on the first side without moving until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F, then remove chicken to a plate and keep warm.
- Step 3: Lower heat to medium, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then stir in 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, 1 tbsp chopped parsley, and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice. Spoon the garlic herb butter over the chicken breasts.
- Step 4: In a separate pan, add 12 oz trimmed fresh green beans and 1/4 cup water. Cover and steam over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until beans are tender-crisp. Remove lid, season with salt and pepper to taste, and sauté for 1 minute to evaporate remaining water.
- Step 5: Plate chicken breasts topped with garlic herb butter alongside steamed green beans and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter 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 salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter and 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 Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter and 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.
