Pan-Seared Chicken with Sautéed Green Beans and Garlic Butter

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

Tender chicken breasts pan-seared and served alongside crisp-tender green beans sautéed in garlic butter for a simple yet flavorful meal. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs chicken breasts, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.5 (10 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 2 chicken breasts dry 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. Add chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  2. Step 2: While the chicken cooks, bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz trimmed green beans and blanch for 3 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately plunge into ice water to stop cooking.
  3. Step 3: In the same skillet used for chicken, reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter along with 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and butter is bubbling.
  4. Step 4: Add the blanched green beans to the skillet with garlic butter. Toss to coat and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through and slightly caramelized.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and drizzle 1 tbsp lemon juice over the green beans. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve chicken breasts alongside the garlic butter green beans.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Sautéed Green Beans and Garlic Butter 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 Sautéed Green Beans and Garlic Butter?

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 chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Sautéed Green Beans and Garlic Butter?

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 Sautéed Green Beans and Garlic Butter 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 Sautéed Green Beans and Garlic Butter?

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.

What others are saying

Related recipes