Description
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Green Beans bring sizzling comfort straight from your trusty skillet to the dinner table. Juicy chicken and tender green beans mingle in a buttery, zesty sauce that makes weeknight meals feel like a delicious breeze.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 chicken thighs
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 lb green beans
- 4 cloves garlic
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Thoroughly blot 4 chicken thighs with paper towels, coating each side generously with 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried thyme.
- Warm 1 tbsp olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until surface becomes glossy and shimmering.
- Carefully place chicken thighs skin-side down, allowing them to sizzle for 6-7 minutes until the skin transforms into a deep golden-brown and crispy texture.
- Gently flip chicken thighs and cook an additional 5-6 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches exactly 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a separate plate, keeping it warm and covered.
- Lower skillet heat to medium and melt 4 tbsp butter completely.
- Finely chop 4 garlic cloves and stir into melted butter for 30 seconds until an aromatic fragrance develops.
- Add 1 lb green beans to the skillet, sautéing for 4-5 minutes while stirring intermittently.
- Pour ¼ cup chicken broth into the skillet, continuing to cook green beans for 2-3 minutes until they reach a tender-crisp consistency.
- Slice 1 lemon in half and squeeze its fresh juice generously over the green beans and chicken.
- Nestle chicken thighs back into the skillet among the green beans.
- Drizzle remaining butter sauce over the entire dish before serving immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use a cast-iron skillet for the best crispy chicken skin and even heat distribution.
- Pat chicken completely dry before seasoning to ensure a golden, crisp exterior that seals in moisture.
- Check the internal chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee safe cooking without drying out the meat.
- For a low-carb version, swap green beans with zucchini or asparagus, and for a dairy-free adaptation, replace butter with olive oil or ghee.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-21 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 384 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1180 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg