Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe with Green Beans Skillet

You want delicious dinners without fuss. You are scanning Pinterest for easy weeknight meals, especially something juicy and flavorful that still feels a bit special.

You might be asking “what can I make with chicken thighs?” or “is there a recipe that isn’t bland?” and a result that makes everyone happy.

You want a dinner that delivers: juicy chicken, bright lemon, rich garlicky butter, and veggies cooked in the same pan. You want something that feels effortless but results in that “wow” moment when you sit down to eat.

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe with Green Beans Skillet

Quick, juicy, and packed with flavor, this lemon garlic butter chicken thigh skillet is one of those easy dinners that feels extra special without extra effort. Tangy lemon brightens each bite, garlic brings depth, and crisp-tender green beans join in for a one-pan meal the whole family will ask for again.

This is perfect if you’ve been hunting for chicken thigh ideas easy dinners or wondering what can i make with chicken thighs tonight. 🍋

Imagine golden seared chicken thighs in a glossy lemon garlic butter sauce, fresh green beans nestled alongside, and the kind of aroma that makes everyone at the table say “wow” before a fork even hits the plate.

Ingredients

For the Chicken & Sauce

• 6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on, about 2 ½ lbs / 1.1 kg total)
  Juicy, flavorful, and nearly impossible to overcook. The skin gets that golden, crispy edge you dream about in chicken thigh recipes thighs.

• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  Keeps things seasoned without being too salty — go lighter if you’re making a low sodium chicken thigh recipe.

• ½ teaspoon black pepper
  Freshly cracked if you can; it makes a world of difference.

• 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
  Just enough to coat the pan and help the chicken crisp beautifully.

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
  The star of this lemon and garlic chicken. Go big here — the garlic mellows in butter and sauce, turning rich and aromatic.

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  Creates that glossy, restaurant-style sauce when mixed with lemon juice and broth.

• 1 large lemon – juice and zest
  You’ll get about 3 tablespoons of juice and 1 tablespoon zest. This gives the dish its bright, tangy flavor (and the kitchen will smell incredible).

• ¾ cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
  This forms the base of the sauce. If you’re watching sodium, use a homemade or low-sodium broth — the lemon and garlic carry plenty of flavor.

• 12 ounces (340 g) fresh green beans, trimmed
  They soak up the buttery sauce and come out tender-crisp — no separate pot needed.

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or thyme (optional)
  For that finishing touch of freshness and color.

💡 Tip: If you prefer lemon chicken thigh recipes baked, just transfer the skillet to a 400°F (200°C) oven after step 4 and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the chicken hits 165°F (75°C). You’ll still get crispy skin and that gorgeous sauce, but with hands-off cooking.

How to Make Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Green Beans

 

• Prep the chicken.
  Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels (this helps the skin crisp). Season both sides with salt and pepper.
• Sear the chicken.
  Heat a large skillet over medium-high with a drizzle of olive oil. Place the thighs skin-side down. Cook 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy, then flip and cook 3-4 more minutes. Remove to a plate.💡 Tip: Don’t move the chicken too early; it needs contact time to brown nicely.
• Build the sauce.
  Lower heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the pan juices and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Add butter and let it melt. Stir in chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
• Add green beans.
  Toss fresh green beans into the sauce. Let them cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally so they get coated in the lemon garlic butter.
• Return chicken to the pan.
  Nestle the chicken thighs back in, skin-side up. Spoon a bit of sauce over the top, then cover the skillet and cook another 6-8 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the green beans are tender.🍋 Variation: If beans are extra thick, give them a quick blanch first so they finish at the same time as the chicken.
• Finish and serve.
  Remove from heat, sprinkle fresh parsley or thyme, and pour any extra pan sauce over the top. Serve straight from the skillet for max flavor and minimal dishes.

Helpful Tips & Common Questions

Can I use boneless chicken thighs?
Yes! You can swap in boneless thighs; just reduce the cooking time slightly since they cook faster. They still work beautifully with this lemon chicken thigh recipes baked style sauce.

What if I want it lower in sodium?
Easy: use low sodium chicken broth and taste the sauce before adding more salt. The lemon and garlic give tons of flavor without needing extra salt.

Can I make this in the oven?
Absolutely. After searing the chicken and adding green beans, pour in the sauce and bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F. It makes a nice sheet pan lemon chicken thighs style meal too!

What goes well with this dish?
Rice, mashed potatoes, crusty bread, or even cauliflower rice soak up that lemon garlic butter so well.

Storage & reheating?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

You’ve Gotta Try This!

 

This skillet lemon and garlic chicken feels fancy but is genuinely easy. It’s one of those recipes that makes everyone at the table pause and smile. If you love bright, bold flavors and a simple one-pan dinner that doesn’t disappoint, this is going in your regular rotation.

Let me know how it turned out for you. Did you serve it with mash or rice? Any tweaks you loved? Share in the comments below or pin it for later on Pinterest, I love seeing your versions! 🧡

Happy cooking,

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