🍋 Zesty Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken with Green Beans
This dish is a perfect harmony of bright citrus, rich garlic butter, and savory herbs, balanced with crisp-tender green beans. It’s fast, flavorful, and full of nourishing ingredients — perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep!
📝 Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lemons, juiced (zest 1 lemon for extra flavor)
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 lb (450g) fresh green beans, trimmed
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
🔪 Instructions:
- Prepare Chicken:
- Pat chicken breasts dry and season with salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano on both sides.
- Sear Chicken:
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp butter over medium heat.
- Add chicken and sear 5–6 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
- Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic & Lemon:
- In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and garlic. Sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add lemon juice, zest, and remaining butter. Stir to create a smooth sauce.
- Cook Green Beans:
- Add green beans directly into the pan with the sauce. Cover and steam/sauté for 4–6 minutes until tender but crisp.
- Return Chicken to Pan:
- Nestle chicken back into the skillet. Spoon sauce over top. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Garnish & Serve:
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon if desired.
🍽️ Servings:
- Serves 4
- Serving size: 1 chicken breast + green beans + sauce
🧠 Notes & Tips:
- Pound chicken breasts evenly for uniform cooking.
- Swap green beans for asparagus, broccoli, or zucchini.
- Add a pinch of crushed red pepper for a spicy kick.
- Use ghee or all olive oil to make this dairy-free.
- Make it a one-pan oven dish: Sear chicken, then bake at 400°F (200°C) with beans and sauce for 15–20 minutes.
🧮 Nutritional Info (Per Serving – Approximate):
- Calories: 350–400
- Protein: 32–36g
- Carbs: 8–10g (mostly from green beans)
- Fat: 22–26g
- Fiber: 3–4g
- Sugar: 3g
Adjust according to added butter, oil, or swaps.
✅ Health Benefits:
- High protein meal that supports lean muscle and satiety.
- Green beans provide fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin K.
- Lemon and garlic aid digestion and support immunity.
- Low in carbs and keto-friendly (omit/adjust sides as needed).
- Quick to prepare and great for meal prep or leftovers.
❓ Q&A:
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead?
A: Absolutely! Boneless thighs work great — just adjust cook time slightly for thicker cuts.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.
Q: How do I get a thicker sauce?
A: Reduce the sauce longer, or whisk in ½ tsp cornstarch (or arrowroot) dissolved in water if needed (not carnivore/keto).
Q: What can I serve it with?
A: Great with cauliflower mash, quinoa, rice, or roasted potatoes for a balanced meal.
Q: Can I roast everything in the oven?
A: Yes! After searing chicken, place it on a sheet pan with green beans and pour sauce over. Roast at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes.