Name: Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup all-purpose flour; 2 tablespoons grated parmesan; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 1 ¼ pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs; 2 tablespoons olive oil; ¼ cup lemon juice; 4 cloves garlic, minced; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed; 1 lemon, sliced; 12 ounces green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces; Salt and pepper, to taste; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

If you’re looking for an easy, flavorful dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes with minimal fuss, I’ve got just the thing — my Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe. I absolutely love how this dish balances crispy Parmesan-coated chicken with bright lemony butter sauce and tender green beans all cooked in one pan. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll leap to the top of your weeknight favorites.

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks together, which means less cleanup and more time to enjoy your meal.
Bright & Buttery Flavors: The tang of lemon combined with garlic and rich butter creates a sauce that’s simply irresistible.
Crispy, Juicy Chicken: Coating the chicken with Parmesan and flour ensures a beautiful crust that locks in juiciness.
Family-Friendly & Quick: Quick enough for a weeknight but special enough to impress guests.

A round silver pan holds a dish with three light golden brown cooked chicken pieces on top. Underneath and around the chicken are bright green beans and several round slices of cooked lemon that are golden and slightly charred on the edges. The chicken is sprinkled with small green herb pieces and has a slightly shiny sauce coating parts of it. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface, with a white cloth with black stripes in the back left and a glass cup with some sauce behind the pan. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet, easy chicken skillet recipe, one-pan chicken dinner, lemon garlic chicken, healthy chicken recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together perfectly to build layers of flavor. I always keep parmesan and fresh garlic on hand since they elevate simple dishes like this one. And if you use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts, you’ll get an even juicier result!

Flat lay of a small mound of pale all-purpose flour in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with finely grated pale yellow parmesan cheese, a small white bowl holding golden olive oil, a few sprigs of dried Italian seasoning herbs, two whole boneless, skinless raw chicken breasts with a pale pink hue, a whole fresh lemon sliced into thin rounds arranged neatly on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl containing bright yellow lemon juice, four plump peeled garlic cloves and four minced garlic pieces in a separate small white bowl, a pinch of vibrant red pepper flakes in a tiny white bowl, four small cubes of cold butter with a creamy pale yellow color on a white ceramic dish, and fresh green beans cut into one-inch pieces scattered neatly on a plain white ceramic plate—all ingredients fresh and natural, no packaging or utensils, perfect symmetry and balanced layout, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet, easy chicken skillet recipe, one-pan chicken dinner, lemon garlic chicken, healthy chicken recipes

All-purpose flour: Helps create that crispy coating on the chicken without overpowering flavor.
Grated parmesan: Adds a savory nuttiness that crisps up beautifully when cooked.
Olive oil: Essential for browning the chicken nicely and for sautéing the veggies.
Garlic powder: Gives a subtle garlic boost to the chicken’s coating and seasoning.
Italian seasoning: Brings a herbal lift to the sauce with oregano, basil, and more.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Chicken thighs are more forgiving if you tend to overcook, but breasts work wonderfully too.
Lemon juice and lemon slices: The star of the sauce, creating that vibrant citrus flavor that brightens the whole dish.
Fresh garlic cloves: Minced for an intense, fresh garlic punch in the sauce.
Red pepper flakes: Add a touch of heat without overwhelming the other flavors.
Cold butter: Cubed and melted slowly in the sauce to create that luxurious, silky texture.
Green beans: They stay crisp-tender and soak up all the delicious pan flavors.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe is how easily you can customize it. Whether you want to swap veggies, tweak the heat level, or make it low-carb, it’s super flexible. I encourage you to play around and make it your own!

Protein Swap: I’ve made this with chicken thighs for a more tender texture, and sometimes with turkey breast — all delicious!
Veggie Variations: Feeling green beans aren’t your thing? Try asparagus, broccoli, or even baby spinach towards the end of cooking.
Spice It Up: Add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne if you like a spicier kick — my family goes crazy for this.
Dairy-Free Option: Use ghee or a plant-based butter substitute to keep the sauce creamy without dairy.

How to Make Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Coating and Sear

Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, grated parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. I noticed that mixing the parmesan directly into the flour mixture helps it stick better to the chicken. Then, pat your chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels before coating each piece thoroughly — but don’t be shy about shaking off the excess flour. Heat your skillet over medium-high and add olive oil. When it’s shimmering, lay down the chicken pieces and resist the urge to move them around too much — letting them cook undisturbed gives you that golden brown crust. It usually takes about 4-6 minutes per side depending on thickness. Once cooked, transfer them to a plate while you whip up the sauce.

Step 2: Make the Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine lemon juice, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Let that gently simmer and reduce until you have about 3 tablespoons left — this concentrates the flavors. Here’s a trick I discovered: add the cold butter one tablespoon at a time, removing the pan from heat as you swirl the sauce to melt each piece slowly. This slow melting creates a beautifully emulsified sauce that’s rich and velvety. Once all the butter is incorporated, set the sauce aside.

Step 3: Sauté Green Beans and Finish the Skillet

If your skillet looks dry after removing the chicken, add a small drizzle of olive oil. Toss in the lemon slices and use tongs to stir them around the pan, scraping up all those yummy browned bits left by the chicken — this is where the magic is! Next, add the green beans and sauté for 3-5 minutes until they’re crisp-tender. Season with salt, pepper, and the remaining garlic powder. You can either pile the chicken on top of the green beans in the skillet for a rustic presentation or divide into individual plates. Drizzle the luscious lemon garlic butter sauce over everything right before serving — that buttery tang is the best part.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe

Patience for Crispy Chicken: Resist flipping the chicken too soon; wait for that golden crust to form before flipping.
Butter Temperature Matters: Adding cold butter in pieces helps emulsify the sauce and prevents it from separating.
Use Fresh Lemon: Fresh lemon juice and slices provide a brighter, fresher flavor than bottled juice.
Don’t Skip Scraping the Pan: Stirring lemon slices in the pan after searing picks up those flavorful browned bits that make this dish special.

How to Serve Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe

The image shows a single piece of golden-brown cooked chicken placed on top of a bed of green beans. Under the chicken, there is a slice of grilled lemon adding a pop of yellow color. The chicken is sprinkled with fresh green herbs and some seasoning that gives it a slightly glossy texture. The dish is served on a white plate with a dark rim, and a silver fork with an aged handle is resting on the edge of the plate. The surface beneath the plate has a white marbled texture, creating a clean and simple background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet, easy chicken skillet recipe, one-pan chicken dinner, lemon garlic chicken, healthy chicken recipes

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or basil over the top — it adds a pop of color and freshness. Sometimes I add extra Parmesan shavings at the end for a cheesy finish. If you’re feeling fancy, a lemon wedge on the side for extra zing is a nice touch.

Side Dishes

This skillet dish is quite complete on its own, but if you want to serve sides, steamed rice or buttery mashed potatoes soak up the sauce beautifully. For a lighter meal, some crusty bread is perfect for mopping up any leftover buttery goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this chicken sliced over a bed of creamy polenta with the skillet sauce drizzled on top. Another fun idea is plating the chicken with a colorful quinoa salad on the side, giving a nice contrast in texture and flavor. Using a cast-iron skillet at the table also adds a rustic vibe that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chicken and green beans keep their flavor well, though the sauce thickens when chilled — just reheat gently to restore the silky texture.

Freezing

I’ve found that freezing this dish works if you skip adding the green beans beforehand — the veggies don’t freeze as well. Freeze the cooked chicken and sauce separately, then thaw and heat together, adding fresh or quickly sautéed green beans when reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I recommend warming the chicken and sauce gently in a skillet over low heat. This prevents drying out and keeps the butter sauce creamy. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce seems too thick. Green beans reheat nicely in a quick sauté or microwave.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work great and tend to stay juicier than breasts, especially if you’re worried about overcooking. Just adjust the cooking time slightly since thighs are often thicker or more fatty, but generally, the recipe stays the same.
What can I substitute if I don’t have Parmesan cheese?

If you don’t have Parmesan, you can use Pecorino Romano or a similar hard grating cheese. If you prefer a dairy-free option, you can omit it but the coating may not be as flavorful or crispy.
How do I prevent the butter sauce from separating?

The key is to add cold butter in small pieces off the heat and swirl constantly until it melts gently, then add more. This slow emulsification helps the sauce stay creamy without breaking or separating.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Simply use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. Make sure the blend you choose works well for coating proteins to keep that crispy texture you want.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe has become a go-to in my kitchen because it feels fancy without the fuss. I love how the sauce brightens up juicy, crispy chicken and the green beans soak up every drop of buttery goodness. It’s the kind of dish you can pull together last minute but serve with confidence. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — it’s a guaranteed crowd pleaser, and I can’t wait to hear how you customize it!