Description
Mediterranean-inspired lemon garlic butter chicken and green beans skillet blends tangy citrus with rich, herbaceous flavors. Crisp green beans and juicy chicken create a simple yet elegant dinner that will satisfy hungry diners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts, halved horizontally (or 4 small chicken fillets)
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 lb (16 oz) fresh green beans, trimmed
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp honey (optional, for balance)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Craft a robust spice blend with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Meticulously rub this aromatic mixture across chicken fillets for comprehensive flavor infusion.
- Chicken Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium temperature. Position seasoned chicken and cook until a golden-brown exterior develops, ensuring complete internal doneness with no pink center. Aim for approximately 5-6 minutes per side for perfect texture.
- Vegetable Enhancement: Remove chicken from skillet and introduce green beans into the same pan. Season with salt and pepper, sautéing until beans exhibit a vibrant emerald hue and maintain a delightful crisp-tender consistency.
- Sauce Creation: Lower heat and incorporate butter, allowing minced garlic to release its aromatic profile. Stream in chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, honey, and red pepper flakes. Permit the liquid to gently simmer and slightly condense, creating a rich, layered sauce.
- Final Assembly: Reunite chicken and green beans within the skillet, thoroughly coating each ingredient with the luxurious sauce. Warm through for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring complete flavor integration. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a verdant finishing touch.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Seasoning: Pat chicken dry before applying seasoning to ensure maximum spice adherence and create a perfect golden-brown crust.
- Prevent Overcooking: Use a meat thermometer to check chicken internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing juicy and safe-to-eat protein without drying out.
- Green Bean Texture Hack: Blanch green beans briefly before sautéing to maintain vibrant color and crisp-tender texture, preventing soggy or overcooked vegetables.
- Sauce Balance Technique: Adjust honey and lemon juice quantities to control sauce sweetness and tanginess, allowing personalization based on individual taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg