Description
Succulent lemon garlic butter chicken dances with crisp green beans in one perfect skillet masterpiece. Home cooks will savor this simple yet elegant French-inspired dinner that delivers restaurant-quality flavor right to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 3 to 6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup fresh chopped parsley
- Juice of ½ lemon, plus lemon slices for garnish
Seasonings and Liquids:
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons butter (or ghee for paleo diet)
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (e.g., Sriracha)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red chili pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Thoroughly blot chicken thighs with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring optimal browning and crispy texture.
- Create a flavor-packed seasoning blend by whisking onion powder, paprika, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small mixing bowl.
- Massage the spice mixture comprehensively over each chicken thigh, allowing the seasonings to penetrate and enhance the meat’s natural flavors.
- Prepare green beans by placing them in a microwave-safe container with 120 milliliters (½ cup) of water, then steam for 8-10 minutes until tender-crisp but not fully cooked.
- Melt 28 grams () of unsalted butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat, creating a rich cooking surface.
- Carefully position chicken thighs skin-side down, cooking for 5-6 minutes until a golden-brown crust develops; flip and continue cooking for an additional 5-6 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
- After removing chicken, utilize the same skillet to sauté minced garlic, chopped parsley, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes with the pre-steamed green beans for 4-5 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan by adding fresh lemon juice and chicken stock, allowing the liquid to simmer and reduce, creating a concentrated, flavorful sauce.
- Gently reintroduce the cooked chicken thighs to the skillet, coating them in the aromatic sauce and briefly reheating to ensure uniform temperature.
- Present the dish immediately, garnishing with additional red pepper flakes, fresh parsley sprigs, and lemon wedges to brighten the overall flavor profile.
Notes
- Transforming ordinary chicken dinners into a zesty, restaurant-worthy meal with minimal kitchen effort.
- Prepping ingredients beforehand guarantees smooth cooking and reduces last-minute stress in the kitchen.
- Perfectly crispy chicken skin comes from thoroughly drying meat and using medium-low heat for even browning.
- Microwaving green beans beforehand ensures they remain vibrant, crisp, and cook quickly in the final skillet stage.
- Layering flavors through seasoning, butter, herbs, and citrus creates a complex yet approachable dish that impresses everyone at the table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 394 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg