Go Back
+ servings
Close-up of golden-brown chicken pieces cooked with green beans, lemon slices, and garlic sauce in a skillet.

Healthy Lemon Garlic Chicken and Vegetable Skillet

This recipe provides a simple, nutritious meal perfect for busy families. It combines bright lemon and garlic flavors with tender chicken and green beans in a single skillet. This dish is great for cooks seeking wholesome ingredients that do not sacrifice taste.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Coating
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour For gluten-free cooking, substitute with gluten-free flour blend.
  • 2 tablespoons grated parmesan
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1.25 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
For the Skillet and Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1 lemon sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed into 4 pieces
  • 12 ounces green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder Remaining amount for vegetables

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • small saucepan
  • Shallow dish

Method
 

  1. In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Coat each piece of chicken on both sides with the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken and cook for 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Remove the cooked chicken to a plate while you prepare the sauce.
  3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the lemon juice, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Allow this mixture to reduce until you have 3 tablespoons remaining.
  4. Add 1 tablespoon of butter to the saucepan and remove the pan from the heat. Swirl the pan until the butter begins to melt. Place the pan back on the heat for a few seconds, then remove and continue swirling until the butter melts completely. Repeat this process with the remaining butter, one tablespoon at a time. Once all butter is melted, remove the sauce from the heat and set it aside.
  5. Add a small drizzle of oil to the chicken skillet if needed. Add the lemon slices and use tongs to move them around the pan, scraping up any browned bits left by the chicken.
  6. Add the green beans to the skillet and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they reach your preferred tenderness. Season the beans with salt, pepper, and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder.
  7. Place the chicken on top of the green beans, or divide the contents into individual servings. You can drizzle the prepared lemon garlic butter sauce over the entire skillet or serve it individually with each portion.

Notes

This dish works well for meal prepping. If you are adapting this for a gluten-free diet, make sure your flour substitute is measured correctly for coating. For a different vegetable, try using broccoli florets or asparagus spears in place of the green beans.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!