Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe with Green Beans is my go to dinner when I am craving something lemony, garlicky, and ready in about half an hour. If you have a skillet and a pack of chicken thighs, this comes together fast, and it tastes like a cozy bistro meal at home. The chicken is juicy, the green beans stay crisp tender, and the buttery pan sauce screams pour me over everything. My family asks for this on repeat, and honestly, I do not mind at all. If you are juggling work, errands, and dinner, this is that one pan hero that saves the night. 
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This skillet dinner checks every box. It is simple to make, packed with clean bright flavor, and uses everyday ingredients that you probably already have. The lemon and garlic wake up the chicken without overpowering it, and the butter turns into a silky sauce that hugs the green beans. The best part is you do not need to babysit the pan. Once those thighs hit the heat and start to sizzle, you are halfway to dinner.
The Story Behind This Recipe
I’ve spent years testing recipes for Cuts Food, and this Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe with Green Beans is a keeper: fast to prep with no weird tricks. Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe with Green Beans is my go to dinner when I am craving something lemony, garlicky, and ready in about half…
I made this on a Tuesday night after a long day. It took maybe 30 minutes, and my kids asked for seconds. The chicken was so tender and the green beans had the perfect snap. Definitely going into our weekly rotation.
If you like quick, flavor forward meals, you might also enjoy this easy bang bang chicken bowl for a little sweet heat on another night. But when you want something bright and buttery, this one is the move. The Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe with Green Beans gives you the satisfaction of a restaurant plate without the fuss.
What makes it special is how the chicken thighs render their fat, crisp up on the outside, and stay juicy inside while the green beans soak up that lemon garlic butter. The pan sauce is both light and rich, which sounds like a contradiction until you taste it.
Featured Ingredients
- Bone in, skin on chicken thighs for the best flavor and juiciness. Boneless works too, but bone in keeps it extra moist.
- Fresh green beans, trimmed. They cook quickly and stay vibrant. If you only have frozen, thaw and pat dry before cooking.
- Fresh lemon for both juice and zest. Zest gives you a bright lemon aroma without extra acidity.
- Garlic, minced. Do not burn it. Let it go just until fragrant, then add the butter and broth.
- Butter for that silky finish. Use unsalted so you can control the salt level.
- Olive oil to sear. It helps keep the butter from browning too quickly.
- Chicken broth to deglaze and stretch the sauce. A splash of white wine is optional.
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, paprika, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Add dried thyme or oregano if you like herby notes.
A quick note on quality: Fresh lemon and good garlic make a big difference. And if your chicken thighs are especially fatty, trim just the excess so they brown without smoking.
Tips for the Best Results
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Moisture fights browning. Dry skin equals better crisp and more flavor.
Get your skillet hot before the chicken goes in. I love a cast iron or heavy stainless pan. Sizzle from the first second means you will get that golden crust that makes the sauce cling.
Season in layers. Salt and pepper the chicken before searing. Taste the sauce at the end and adjust with a pinch of salt, a squeeze of lemon, or a pat of butter to balance.
Watch your garlic. Add it after you brown the chicken, not at the start. It only needs about 30 seconds before the butter and broth go in. Burnt garlic will make the whole sauce taste bitter.
Cook the green beans to crisp tender. Toss them in the pan toward the end so they keep their snap. A lid for two to three minutes helps steam them through without turning dull.
Internal temperature matters. Chicken thighs are safe at 165 F, but they taste extra tender around 175 F. Use a quick read thermometer and you will never guess again.
Let the chicken rest on a plate while the sauce finishes. A few minutes off the heat lets juices settle and keeps it juicy.
Leftovers keep well. Store airtight up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of broth to loosen the sauce.
Recipe Variations
Herb twist: Swap paprika for Italian seasoning or fresh chopped parsley, dill, or basil at the end. Herbs brighten the sauce without much effort.
Creamy option: After deglazing with broth, stir in a small splash of cream or half and half to make a light creamy lemon sauce. Do not boil once the dairy goes in, just warm through.
Spice lovers: Add extra chili flakes or a spoon of harissa to the butter for gentle heat. If you enjoy bolder flavors, try this seafood treat that uses similar garlic butter magic, grilled lobster tails with herb garlic butter.
Different cuts: You can use boneless thighs or even chicken breasts. If using breasts, pound to an even thickness and reduce cooking time to keep them juicy.
Sheet pan shortcut: Toss chicken and green beans with olive oil and seasonings, roast at 425 F until the chicken is done, then melt the butter with lemon and garlic and spoon it over at the end. Same flavor, less stovetop time.
Serving Suggestions
- Spoon that lemon garlic butter over fluffy rice or mashed potatoes. If you want something cozy on the side, this skillet cornbread with a buttery crust is amazing for soaking up sauce.
- Add a bright salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, and feta for a fresh bite. If you are into Greek flavors, save this for later too, easy chicken souvlaki with tzatziki.
- Want more veggie comfort for the table, especially around the holidays, try a classic green bean casserole that everyone loves.
- For a pasta night spin, toss al dente noodles with a spoon of the pan sauce, extra lemon zest, and parmesan, then top with sliced chicken.
Common Questions
Q: Can I make this with boneless chicken thighs?
A: Yes. Boneless thighs cook faster. Sear 3 to 4 minutes per side and check for 170 to 175 F. They will still be juicy and tender.
Q: How do I keep the garlic from burning?
A: Add garlic after searing the chicken and after you lower the heat. Stir just until fragrant, then add butter and broth to cool the pan.
Q: Can I use frozen green beans?
A: You can. Thaw and pat them very dry so they do not steam. Add near the end and cook just until warmed and crisp tender.
Q: What if my sauce tastes too sharp from the lemon?
A: Stir in another small pat of butter or a splash of broth to round it out. A pinch of sugar can help if your lemon is very tart.
Q: How do I scale this for meal prep?
A: Double the recipe in two batches to avoid crowding the pan. Store in shallow containers with sauce on top so the chicken stays moist.
Let’s Make Dinner You Will Crave Again
When you want something bright, buttery, and foolproof, the Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe with Green Beans delivers every time. Crisp skinned chicken, tender beans, and a pan sauce that tastes like sunshine on a plate. If you want more quick wins like this, check out these trustworthy takes from other kitchens too, the Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe with Green Beans from Eatwell101 and this solid weeknight approach, Lemon Garlic Chicken with Green Beans. Now grab a skillet, zest a lemon, and make tonight delicious. You have got this and your table is going to smell amazing.
Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Green Beans
Ingredients Â
MethodÂ
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then sear them in the hot skillet skin-side down for 6-7 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip the chicken and cook for another 6-7 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature should be at least 165°F). Remove the chicken from the pan and let rest.
- In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chicken broth and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the lemon juice, zest, and butter until melted and mixed.
- Add the trimmed green beans to the pan, cover for 2-3 minutes to steam them until crisp-tender.
- Return the chicken to the pan to reheat briefly in the sauce.
- Serve the chicken thighs topped with the lemon garlic butter and green beans.
