Description
Hearty lemon garlic butter chicken and green beans skillet delivers zesty Mediterranean comfort on a single pan. Home cooks can savor this quick, flavorful meal packed with simple ingredients and fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 to 6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- 1 lb (453 g) green beans, trimmed
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup fresh chopped parsley
- ½ lemon, juice and slices for garnish
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 3 tbsps butter (or ghee for paleo diet)
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (e.g., Sriracha)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- ¼ tsp crushed red chili pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Pat chicken thighs completely dry to achieve maximum crispiness, then coat thoroughly with a robust spice blend of onion powder, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Vegetable Preparation: Steam green beans until tender-crisp, ensuring they maintain a vibrant color and slight crunch.
- Chicken Searing: Melt butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat, then meticulously sear chicken thighs skin-side down until a golden-brown crust forms. Flip and continue cooking until internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Aromatic Infusion: In the same skillet, quickly sauté minced garlic, chopped parsley, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes with pre-steamed green beans, creating a harmonious flavor foundation.
- Sauce Development: Deglaze the pan with fresh lemon juice and chicken stock, allowing the liquid to simmer and reduce into a concentrated, zesty sauce.
- Final Assembly: Reunite the cooked chicken with the seasoned green beans, ensuring each piece is generously coated with the vibrant sauce.
- Serving: Plate immediately, garnishing with additional red pepper flakes, fresh parsley sprigs, and lemon wedges to elevate the dish’s sensory experience.
Notes
- Blot Chicken Dry: Removing excess moisture ensures perfect golden-brown skin and prevents steaming instead of searing.
- Season Generously: Massaging spices thoroughly helps create a flavor-packed exterior that penetrates deep into the meat.
- Monitor Cooking Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) for safe, juicy results without overcooking.
- Skillet Technique: Cast-iron skillets provide superior heat distribution and develop rich, caramelized flavors during cooking process.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg