This Juicy Lemon Garlic Butter Thighs Green Beans Skillet is your new go-to for a ridiculously flavorful and incredibly easy weeknight meal. It’s a one-pan wonder that transforms humble ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish, perfect for busy evenings when you crave something delicious without the fuss.
Key Ingredients for Juicy Lemon Garlic Butter Thighs Green Beans Skillet
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 1-2 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- Optional garnishes: fresh parsley, lemon wedges
How to Make Juicy Lemon Garlic Butter Thighs Green Beans Skillet
Get ready for a truly delicious and satisfying meal that comes together in under 40 minutes! This Juicy Lemon Garlic Butter Thighs Green Beans Skillet is remarkably simple, featuring tender chicken thighs swimming in a bright, creamy lemon garlic butter sauce that coats every bite. The crisp-tender green beans add a delightful freshness, making this a perfectly balanced and utterly delightful one-pan creation.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. This initial seasoning is crucial for building flavor throughout the dish.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet (cast iron works wonderfully here) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Sear for about 4-5 minutes per side, until beautifully golden brown and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté the Green Beans: Add the trimmed green beans to the same skillet, adding another drizzle of olive oil if the pan looks dry. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are bright green and starting to soften but still have a slight crispness. This process allows them to absorb some of the flavorful remnants from the chicken.
- Build the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: Push the green beans to one side of the skillet. Add the butter to the empty side. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30-60 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Deglaze and Combine: Pour the fresh lemon juice into the skillet. It will bubble up; use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This deglazing action incorporates all those delicious caramelized flavors into the sauce. Stir in the lemon juice and melted butter to create a cohesive sauce.
- Return Chicken and Simmer: Place the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet, nestled amongst the green beans. Spoon some of the lemon garlic butter sauce over the chicken. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for another 5-8 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the green beans are tender-crisp. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Final Touches: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. For an extra burst of freshness, stir in some chopped fresh parsley just before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Juicy Lemon Garlic Butter Thighs Green Beans Skillet
You’ll absolutely adore this Juicy Lemon Garlic Butter Thighs Green Beans Skillet for its incredibly vibrant and comforting flavors. The star here is undoubtedly the juicy, tender chicken thighs bathed in that luxurious, zesty lemon garlic butter sauce, offering a delightful tang that cuts through the richness. Making this at home is a fantastic cost-saver compared to dining out, especially considering the high-quality taste it delivers without breaking the bank. Plus, the simple addition of crisp green beans provides a welcome freshness and a beautiful pop of color, making the whole dish sing.
This dish is a true game-changer for busy weeknights, offering a gourmet feel with minimal effort, a far cry from the often bland chicken dishes you might find elsewhere. It’s the perfect example of how simple ingredients, when treated well, can create something truly spectacular. Don’t just take our word for it – give this delightful skillet meal a try tonight and prepare to be amazed by its deliciousness!
Storing and Reheating Tips
To store leftovers of your Juicy Lemon Garlic Butter Thighs Green Beans Skillet, allow the dish to cool completely. Transfer the cooled chicken and green beans, along with any remaining sauce, into an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, you can gently warm the leftovers in a skillet over low heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating and to redistribute the sauce. Alternatively, microwave on medium power in 30-second intervals until heated through. For longer storage, your Juicy Lemon Garlic Butter Thighs Green Beans Skillet can be frozen. Ensure it is completely cooled, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as directed.
Final Thoughts
This Juicy Lemon Garlic Butter Thighs Green Beans Skillet is a true weeknight hero, offering incredible flavor with minimal effort. We encourage you to whip up this simple yet spectacular dish at home for a satisfying and delicious meal that everyone will rave about.
Juicy Lemon Garlic Butter Thighs Green Beans Skillet
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. This initial seasoning is crucial for building flavor throughout the dish.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet (cast iron works wonderfully here) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Sear for about 4-5 minutes per side, until beautifully golden brown and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Add the trimmed green beans to the same skillet, adding another drizzle of olive oil if the pan looks dry. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are bright green and starting to soften but still have a slight crispness. This process allows them to absorb some of the flavorful remnants from the chicken.1 lb fresh green beans, 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Push the green beans to one side of the skillet. Add the butter to the empty side. Once melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30-60 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 cloves garlic
- Pour the fresh lemon juice into the skillet. It will bubble up; use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This deglazing action incorporates all those delicious caramelized flavors into the sauce. Stir in the lemon juice and melted butter to create a cohesive sauce.1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Place the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet, nestled amongst the green beans. Spoon some of the lemon garlic butter sauce over the chicken. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for another 5-8 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the green beans are tender-crisp. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 lb fresh green beans
- Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. For an extra burst of freshness, stir in some chopped fresh parsley just before serving.1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, fresh parsley