Description
This Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken and Green Beans Skillet features tender chicken thighs and crisp steamed green beans all coated in a rich, savory lemon garlic butter sauce. This low-carb, keto-friendly dish is flavorful, easy to prepare, and comes together in one skillet making it a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Broth
- ½ cup chicken broth, divided
- 12 ounces fresh green beans
Seasonings
- 1¼ teaspoons salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Protein and Fats
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil
- 4-5 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
Fresh Ingredients and Garnishes
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Garnishes like fresh parsley, fresh dill, lemon slices, red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Steam Green Beans: Heat a large skillet with a lid over medium heat. Add ¼ cup chicken broth and the fresh green beans. Cover and steam for 5 minutes, then uncover and cook 2-3 minutes more to evaporate excess liquid. Transfer green beans to a plate and set aside.
- Prepare Seasoning Blend: In a small dish, combine 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to create the chicken seasoning.
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season generously on both sides with the prepared seasoning blend.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the olive or avocado oil to the skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil glistens, add the chicken thighs flat in the pan. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to the plate with the green beans.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and deglaze the skillet with the remaining ¼ cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Add minced garlic, lemon juice, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer over low heat until it reduces by about half, then stir in butter and cook 1-2 minutes more.
- Combine and Reheat: Return chicken and green beans to the skillet, gently mixing them into the sauce. Reheat for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh lemon slices, chopped parsley or dill, and additional red pepper flakes if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use a skillet with a tight-fitting lid for effective steaming of green beans.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs provide juicy, tender meat, but chicken breasts can be substituted with adjusted cooking time.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control heat level or omit for a milder dish.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or dill enhance flavor and presentation but are optional.
- For a lower sodium version, reduce salt amounts and use low-sodium chicken broth.
- This dish is naturally low-carb and keto-friendly, perfect for those following those diets.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 374 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 726 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 154 mg
