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; 1¼ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs); 2 tablespoons olive oil; ¼ cup lemon juice; 1 lemon, sliced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes; ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; 4 tablespoons cold butter, cubed into 4 pieces; 12 ounces green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces; Salt and pepper, to taste; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (for seasoning the green beans)

If you’re craving a dinner that’s both quick and bursting with flavor, you’re going to absolutely love this Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe. It’s one of those magic dishes that feels fancy but comes together in about 30 minutes — perfect for weeknights or impressing guests without sweating it. The crispy parmesan-coated chicken, tender green beans, and that luscious tangy lemon butter sauce all come together in one skillet, making cleanup a breeze. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll be on your rotation for good.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple and Quick: You’ll have dinner ready in around 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
Ultimate Flavor Combo: Garlic, lemon, and butter elevate the chicken to restaurant-quality taste.
One Skillet Wonder: Everything cooks in one pan, making cleanup super easy.
Family Favorite: My family always requests this dish—chicken turns crispy and green beans stay perfectly tender.

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 recipes, quick chicken dinner, flavorful chicken recipes, weeknight chicken ideas

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe plays a key role—flour and parmesan create a crispy crust on the chicken, while fresh garlic and lemon juice make the sauce zing with brightness. Here’s a little rundown of what you’ll want to have handy before you start cooking.

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 recipes, quick chicken dinner, flavorful chicken recipes, weeknight chicken ideas

All-purpose flour: Helps create that crispy coating on the chicken when combined with parmesan.
Grated parmesan: Adds salty, savory depth and a beautiful crust.
Olive oil: The perfect fat for searing chicken to golden perfection.
Garlic powder: Gives extra garlic flavor right in the coating and the green beans.
Italian seasoning: A blend that complements the lemon and garlic beautifully in the sauce.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Thighs will be juicier, but breasts work wonderfully too.
Lemon juice + lemon slices: Fresh lemon juice brightens the sauce and slices add that lovely roasted citrus aroma.
Fresh garlic: Minced for that punch of real garlic flavor in the sauce.
Red pepper flakes: Gives a subtle kick that balances out the richness.
Cold butter: Cubed and added gradually to emulsify the sauce — this is the secret to that silky texture.
Green beans: Fresh and trimmed, they soak up the flavors while staying crisp-tender.

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

I love how versatile this Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe is. Play around with it to suit your taste or dietary needs — you might find a new favorite twist!

Protein swap: I’ve made this with chicken thighs when I wanted extra juiciness, or turkey cutlets for a leaner option—both turn out delicious!
Veggie upgrades: Try swapping green beans for asparagus, broccoli florets, or even snap peas depending on what’s fresh or in season.
Dairy-free version: Replace butter with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil and skip the parmesan if needed—it’ll still be tasty!
Extra heat: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne if you like a bit more spice.

How to Make Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Coat the Chicken

Start by mixing the flour, parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. This mixture creates that dreamy crispy crust we’ve all come to love. Next, coat each chicken piece evenly—don’t forget to shake off any excess flour or it can turn gummy. This step sets you up for that perfect golden crunch when you cook it.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat your skillet over medium-high and swirl in the olive oil. Add the chicken and let it sit undisturbed for 4-6 minutes per side depending on thickness—this patience pays off with a gorgeous crust. Don’t rush flipping; if it sticks, it’s probably not ready. Once cooked through, transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm while you make the sauce.

Step 3: Whip Up the Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

This sauce is the heart of the Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe. In a small saucepan, combine the lemon juice, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer and reduce until you’re left with about 3 tablespoons—this concentrates the flavors beautifully. Then, add cold butter one tablespoon at a time, removing the pan from heat to swirl it in until it melts fully. Keep repeating until all that butter is incorporated, creating a silky, shiny sauce that hugs every bite.

Step 4: Sauté the Green Beans and Assemble

Add a splash of oil back into the chicken skillet if it looks dry, then toss in the lemon slices to pick up all those delicious browned bits. Next, add the green beans and sauté for about 3-5 minutes until tender but still bright green. Season with salt, pepper, and remaining garlic powder—simple but flavorful! Then, nestle the chicken back on top of the beans and either drizzle the sauce over everything or serve it on the side. Either way, it’s showstopper delicious.

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe

Pat Chicken Dry: I learned this the hard way—dry chicken crusts better and sears without steaming.
Don’t Rush the Sear: Let the chicken cook undisturbed so you get that perfect golden crust instead of sticking to the pan.
Butter Temperature: Using cold butter and adding it gradually helps emulsify the sauce for that velvety finish.
Control the Heat: Keep your sauce simmer gentle to avoid burning the garlic—it can get bitter quick!

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 recipes, quick chicken dinner, flavorful chicken recipes, weeknight chicken ideas

Garnishes

I like finishing this dish with a handful of freshly chopped parsley for a pop of green and freshness. A twist of lemon zest on top adds an extra citrusy brightness that wakes up every bite—plus it looks pretty! Sprinkle a few red pepper flakes if you want to remind everyone of that subtle heat.

Side Dishes

This skillet dish pairs wonderfully with fluffy rice or buttery mashed potatoes to soak up that silky lemon butter sauce. Sometimes, I serve it alongside some crusty bread because, well, who doesn’t want to dunk bread into that sauce? A simple mixed green salad balances the meal nicely, too.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve plated the chicken atop a bed of creamy polenta, drizzled extra sauce, and added roasted cherry tomatoes for color contrast. Serving family-style straight from the skillet at the table adds a fun, cozy vibe that gets everyone digging in eagerly!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, usually separate the chicken from the green beans if possible. This helps everything keep its texture better the next day. It’s best eaten within 2-3 days for peak freshness.

Freezing

While I rarely freeze this due to its fresh veggie component, you can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce separately. Freeze in a sealed container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 2 months. When it’s time, thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

To reheat leftovers, I gently warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen the sauce. The green beans reheat best in a microwave or quickly sautéed to retain their crispness.

FAQs

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

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully for this recipe because they stay juicy and tender. Just adjust the cooking time since thighs take a little longer to cook through—about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness.
How do I make sure the chicken gets crispy and doesn’t stick to the pan?

Pat your chicken dry before coating it, and make sure your skillet and oil are properly heated before adding the chicken. Let the chicken sear undisturbed so a crust forms naturally—if it sticks, it’s probably not ready to flip yet.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or almond flour. The parmesan and other ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but always check labels to be sure.
What can I use instead of green beans?

Green beans are great here, but feel free to swap in asparagus, broccoli, or snap peas. Quick-cooking veggies that hold a bit of crunch work best sautéed in the same skillet.

Final Thoughts

This Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe is one of those dishes I turn to when I want cozy comfort food without the fuss. The flavor combo is vibrant yet familiar, and cooking everything in one pan makes it so easy. I absolutely love how the parmesan crust pairs with that silky, tangy butter sauce—and the green beans soak up every bit. If you try this out, I bet it’ll become a go-to for your family, too. Let me know how it turns out!