Zesty Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe for Dinner Joy

Sizzling aromas of garlic and zesty lemon dance through the kitchen during this irresistible lemon garlic butter chicken skillet recipe.

Tender chicken breasts melt into a luxurious sauce that promises pure culinary delight.

Cooking becomes an effortless adventure with just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time.

Herbs and butter create a rich, golden coating that seals in every ounce of flavor.

The skillet method ensures each bite delivers maximum taste and juiciness.

Perfectly browned chicken nestled in a silky, tangy sauce makes for an elegant meal that feels like a restaurant experience at home.

Let’s find out this mouthwatering dish that transforms an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary feast.

Instructions for Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken

• Chicken Prep An easy seasoning blend transforms ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering masterpiece. Pat chicken thighs dry and coat with a zesty mix of spices, letting flavors mingle for maximum deliciousness.
• Green Bean Magic Steam green beans until they're crisp and vibrant, creating a perfect veggie companion for the main event.
• Skillet Sizzle Melt butter in a cast-iron pan and carefully place chicken thighs, creating a golden-brown exterior that locks in juicy goodness. Cook until internal temperature signals perfect doneness.
• Sauce Symphony Remove chicken momentarily and dance garlic, parsley, and spicy accents around the skillet. Splash in bright lemon juice and rich stock, letting everything bubble and blend into a luxurious sauce.
• Final Flourish Reunite chicken with the tantalizing sauce, ensuring every bite is packed with incredible flavor. Garnish with fresh herbs and zesty lemon slices for a restaurant-worthy presentation that'll make taste buds sing.

Garlic Lemon Chicken Flavor Variations

• Pat the chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum golden-brown exterior and delightful crackly texture.
• Replace parsley with fresh thyme, rosemary, or basil to create completely different flavor profiles that complement the lemony sauce wonderfully.
• Substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts or salmon fillets while maintaining the same cooking technique and seasoning blend for versatile meal options.
• Adjust hot sauce and chili flakes according to personal heat tolerance – start with small amounts and gradually increase for perfect personalized zest without overwhelming the dish's delicate lemon garlic butter essence.
• If you prefer fewer dishes, cook green beans directly in the skillet with chicken instead of pre-microwaving, allowing vegetables to absorb rich pan drippings and enhance overall meal complexity.

How to Serve Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken

• Zesty Dinner Party Delight: Impress guests by plating the chicken on a large rustic wooden board, surrounded by sautéed green beans and drizzled with the lemon garlic butter sauce for a restaurant-quality presentation.
• Hearty Meal Companion: Serve alongside fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce, creating a complete and satisfying meal that fills hungry bellies.
• Fresh Herb Explosion: Sprinkle additional chopped fresh parsley and a few extra chili flakes just before serving to add brightness, color, and an extra layer of vibrant flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Quick Weeknight Wellness: Pair with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal that's both nutritious and incredibly tasty, perfect for busy families seeking a delicious dinner solution.

Storage Tips for Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet

• Advance Prep Strategy: Marinate chicken thighs up to 24 hours before cooking to enhance flavor depth and streamline meal preparation. Refrigerate seasoned chicken in sealed containers for maximum taste infusion.
• Batch Cooking Magic: Double the recipe and create multiple meals by preparing extra chicken portions. Store cooled skillet contents in airtight containers for quick weeknight dinners that reheat beautifully within 3-4 days.
• Smart Refrigeration Method: Separate chicken and sauce when storing leftovers to maintain optimal texture. Store protein and vegetable components in distinct sealed containers to prevent soggy green beans and keep crisp consistency.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Freeze cooked chicken and sauce separately in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and gently reheat in skillet with additional splash of chicken stock to restore moisture and prevent dryness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet

• Chicken Thighs: Boneless and skinless cuts provide tender, juicy meat that absorbs flavors beautifully and cooks quickly in the skillet.
• Hot Sauce: Adds a spicy kick and depth of flavor, transforming the dish with a zesty punch.

• Garlic Cloves: Fresh minced garlic brings intense, aromatic warmth that infuses the entire dish with rich, savory notes.
• Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky sweetness and beautiful reddish color to the chicken.
• Onion Powder: Delivers a concentrated onion essence without added moisture.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential foundational seasonings that elevate and balance the overall taste profile.
• Crushed Red Chili Pepper Flakes: Optional spice booster for heat lovers, providing a fiery edge.

• Chicken Stock: Creates a silky, flavorful base that helps cook and steam the chicken.
• Lemon Juice and Lemon Slices: Bright citrus notes cut through richness and add fresh, tangy complexity.
• Butter: Adds luxurious richness, helps create a glossy sauce, and enhances overall flavor.
• Fresh Parsley: Vibrant herb that brings fresh, green notes and beautiful color as a final garnish.

Skillet Tools for Making Garlic Butter Chicken

• Cast-iron skillet: Large, heavy pan perfect for even heat distribution and creating golden-brown chicken.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing dry seasonings before coating chicken.
• Microwave-safe dish: Helps steam green beans quickly and efficiently.
• Paper towels: Essential for drying chicken thighs to ensure crispy exterior.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings.
• Spatula or tongs: Useful for flipping chicken and moving ingredients in skillet.
• Cutting board: Provides clean surface for preparing ingredients.
• Sharp knife: Needed for chopping parsley and slicing lemon.
• Instant-read thermometer: Ensures chicken reaches safe internal temperature.

Succulent Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering lemon garlic butter chicken skillet combines zesty Mediterranean flavors with simple ingredients. Home cooks can savor this quick, elegant dinner that delivers restaurant-quality taste in less than 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 to 6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
• 1 lb (1 pound) green beans, trimmed
• 3 tbsps (tablespoons) butter (or ghee for paleo diet)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup chicken stock
• ½ cup fresh chopped parsley
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tbsp (tablespoon) hot sauce (e.g., Sriracha)
• 1 tsp (teaspoon) paprika
• 1 tsp (teaspoon) onion powder
• ¼ tsp (teaspoon) salt
• ¼ tsp (teaspoon) fresh cracked black pepper
• ¼ tsp (teaspoon) crushed red chili pepper flakes (optional)
• Lemon slices for garnish

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Blend onion powder, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper into a dynamic spice mixture, then thoroughly coat chicken thighs, allowing ingredients to marinate at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
2. Green Bean Prepping: Steam green beans in microwave until tender-crisp, ensuring vibrant color and optimal texture.
3. Chicken Searing: Melt butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat, strategically position chicken thighs skin-side down, and cook until golden-brown crust develops (5-6 minutes per side), ensuring internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
4. Sauce Creation: Remove chicken, then utilize identical skillet to craft a flavor-rich sauce by combining remaining butter, garlic, parsley, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes, sautéing green beans simultaneously for 4-5 minutes.
5. Liquid Infusion: Pour lemon juice and chicken stock into skillet, reducing liquid to create a glossy, concentrated sauce that harmonizes all ingredients.
6. Final Assembly: Reintroduce chicken to skillet, gently coating with aromatic sauce, then plate with green beans and garnish with additional red pepper flakes, fresh parsley, and lemon wedges for a visually stunning presentation.

Notes

• Dry Chicken Thoroughly: Removing excess moisture ensures perfect golden-brown caramelization and prevents steaming instead of searing.
• Season Early: Allow spice mixture to sit on chicken for 10-15 minutes at room temperature to enhance flavor penetration and tenderize meat.
• Control Skillet Heat: Maintain medium-low temperature to prevent butter burning and achieve even, consistent cooking without scorching.
• Sauce Reduction Technique: Let liquid simmer and reduce slowly to create a rich, glossy sauce that coats chicken and green beans with maximum flavor intensity.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg