If you’re anything like me, the thought of a towering stack of dishes after dinner makes you want to order takeout, doesn’t it? That’s why one-pan meals are my absolute go-to for achieving balance—I want real, flavorful food without the cleanup headache. This One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans is my answer for those hectic weeknights when flavor and nutrition have to happen fast. It’s nourishing, packed with protein, and honestly, it tastes way more complicated than it is! As a recipe developer focused on practical wellness, I promise this skillet sensation will quickly become one of your favorites for simple, delicious homemade dinner.
Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans Recipe
Seriously, this simple skillet meal checks every box! It’s the perfect solution when you need wholesome food but only have a few minutes to pull things together. We’re talking maximum taste with minimum scrubbing later. It’s exactly the kind of uncomplicated, nourishing dish I design my collection around.
- It’s lightning fast! Clocking in around 25 minutes total, this is one of the best Easy Dinner Recipes for those days when you feel totally wiped out.
- Zero fuss! This is a true One Pan Meal—everything cooks right there in your favorite skillet, which makes cleanup almost nonexistent.
- High Protein & Low Carb: This recipe supports a balanced lifestyle perfectly. It’s rich in protein to keep you full without weighing you down.
- Bold Flavor Hit: You just can’t beat the combination of golden seared chicken coated in that bright, fragrant garlic butter sauce. It feels like restaurant quality!
- Perfect for busy schedules. If you need reliable Weeknight Dinner Ideas that taste fresh every time, this is it.
- It’s adaptable! Don’t love green beans today? Swap them out! That’s the beauty of flexible, fresh cooking.
Essential Ingredients for One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans
When you’re aiming for speed and flavor in a 30 Minute Meal, quality ingredients really shine through, especially when there’s nowhere else for them to hide! Because this is a simple skillet situation, the freshness of what you use matters a lot. I’m listing exactly what you need below so you can nail the texture and taste of that garlic butter sauce perfectly the first time. You can find more ideas for quick, budget-friendly dinners on my budget category page.
- 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 500g chicken breast fillets
- 400g green beans, trimmed
- 60g baby spinach leaves
- 40g unsalted butter, chopped
- 1 tbs Gourmet Garden Cold Blended Garlic Paste (Use fresh minced garlic if you don’t have paste!)
- 3 tsp smoked paprika (This is key for that warm color!)
- 8g Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Parsley
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges for serving
Tips for Success with Your One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans
It’s so easy to let things get mushy or burnt when you’re rushing a one-pan meal, but trust me, a few simple tricks make all the difference between “okay” dinner and “wow, can I have seconds?” Chicken breasts need your attention! Make sure your pan is properly heated before that olive oil goes in. If the pan is too cool, the chicken steams instead of searing, and you lose that beautiful golden crust we’re looking for. Also, the resting period for the chicken is non-negotiable—it keeps the juices locked right where they belong.
For the green beans, we’re aiming for crisp-tender. They should still have a little bite! I typically cook them for three minutes until they turn bright green, which means they’re just starting to soften but haven’t lost their structural integrity. If you overcook them, they turn a sad shade of olive green, and nobody wants that on their plate!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans
This recipe is designed to be flexible because life happens, right? If you don’t have green beans, feel free to swap in broccoli florets or asparagus—just adjust the cooking time slightly. Asparagus goes faster, so toss it in right before the spinach. If you prefer dark meat, chicken thighs work beautifully in this One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans; just give them an extra three to four minutes on each side when you’re searing them, since they are thicker.
Don’t stress if you run out of parsley! Dried dill or a pinch of dried thyme works gorgeously with the garlic butter flavor profile. The key is using good quality butter and that concentrated garlic, though. Those two things are the real power couple here!
Step-by-Step Instructions for One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans
This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it moves so fast! Because this is designed to be one of our go-to 30 Minute Meals, make sure everything is prepped and ready to go before you heat that pan. We’re moving quickly from searing to saucing, so having your butter chopped and your spinach washed makes the whole process smooth sailing. Remember what I always say: the secret to a great skillet meal is staying near the stove! If you ever decide to try tossing some of these ingredients into the air fryer instead sometime, make sure you check out some great tips for easy air fryer chicken recipes first!
Cooking the Chicken and Vegetables for One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans
First things first, get your olive oil hot over medium-high heat. We want that sizzle the second the chicken hits the pan! Cook the chicken fillets for about five minutes on each side until they’re beautifully golden brown and totally cooked through. Next, transfer that tasty chicken to a plate and cover it—you must let it rest for five minutes while you handle the veggies. While that’s resting, toss your trimmed green beans right into that same pan. Stir them occasionally for about three minutes until they start turning bright green. Then, toss in the baby spinach for just the last minute until it wilts down. Transfer both those beautiful veggies over to the plate with the resting chicken.
Creating the Garlic Butter Coating for One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans
This is the best part for your nose! Turn the heat down a little, or even remove the skillet from the burner entirely before adding the sauce ingredients. Toss in your chopped butter, that flavorful garlic paste, and the smoked paprika. Stir constantly for just a minute or two until that butter is completely melted and smells incredible. Now, take the pan off the heat! If you try to mix everything while it’s still blasting hot, the garlic will burn fast, and you’ll get a bitter taste. Stir in half your dried parsley, then gently return the chicken and the beans back into the pan. Toss everything gently until every piece is glistening and coated in that amazing garlic butter sauce. Sprinkle the rest of the parsley over the top right before serving with those bright lemon wedges!
Serving Suggestions for Your One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans
See? That was fast! You’ve got a complete, balanced meal right there in your skillet, which is exactly why these One Pan Meals are absolute lifesavers. The primary focus here is that juicy chicken and those perfectly tender-crisp green beans coated in garlic butter. That’s honestly enough for a satisfying dinner on its own, especially if you are keeping things low-carb or focusing on protein.
But, if you’re serving this up for a bigger crowd or you just like having a little something extra on the side, I have a few quick presentation ideas that elevate this into a fantastic Family Dinner Idea. Don’t forget those lemon wedges we added—a generous squeeze over everything right before you dig in brightens up the whole dish. It cuts through the richness of the butter beautifully!
If you want a little something starchy to soak up any leftover garlic butter sauce (and trust me, you’ll want to!), a small side of brown rice or quinoa works great, but keep the portion small to maintain the healthy balance we aimed for.
For an extra veggie punch that’s still vegetable-forward, I sometimes roast a small batch of Brussels sprouts while the chicken is resting. If you love a good roasted vegetable, you should totally check out my recipe for Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts with Pecans—it’s totally different flavor-wise, but if you follow that roasting technique, you can adapt it easily for any other vegetable you have lying around!
Honestly though, my favorite way to enjoy this is simple minimalism: chicken and beans straight from the pan onto the plate. Fast, flavorful, and practically no dirty dishes. That’s the dream, right?
Storage and Reheating Instructions for One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans
Okay, so you did it! You made this amazing, flavorful dinner, and now you’re staring at a glorious pan full of leftovers. That’s the best part about making simple, wholesome food like this—it tastes just as good the next day! But you have to store it right, especially because we want those green beans to stay crisp and the chicken to stay juicy.
For storage, the key is air removal. Transfer any leftover One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans into a shallow, airtight container. I prefer shallower containers over deep ones here because it helps the food cool down quickly, which is way better for food safety. We’re aiming for them to be in the fridge within two hours of cooking. They’ll last beautifully for about three to four days. I honestly can’t tell you how many times I’ve relied on this leftover chicken as a quick, healthy lunch the next day!
Now for reheating—this is where people go wrong and end up with rubbery chicken! Please, avoid the microwave if you can, especially if you want to keep that nice texture we worked so hard to achieve in the skillet. Microwaving often dries out the chicken breast because it heats so quickly and unevenly.
The best way to reheat this is actually right back on the stovetop! Throw the leftovers into a clean skillet over medium-low heat. If it seems dry, add just a tiny splash of water or maybe a teaspoon more butter to help create that little steam bath we need. Keep the heat low and cover the pan for a few minutes until it’s warmed through. This method brings back the moisture and keeps the garlic butter flavor alive.
If you are into meal prepping for the week—I totally get it, I rely on make-ahead meals constantly—you can adapt this recipe for batch cooking. If you’re looking for other ideas for food you can prepare ahead, you should definitely check out my guide on make-ahead breakfast casseroles for inspiration on batch prep techniques!
Frequently Asked Questions About One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans
I totally get it—reading a recipe always brings up little questions about how to make it fit *your* life perfectly. Since this is meant to be a staple for quick, healthy cooking, I’ve gathered the most common things folks ask me when they’re planning their Easy Dinner Recipes rotation.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast in this One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans?
Oh, absolutely! I love chicken thighs because they stay incredibly juicy, even if you accidentally leave them on the heat a minute too long. The trade-off is simple: they take a bit longer to cook than the thinner breast fillets. When you’re searing the chicken (that’s step one), give the thighs a good 6 to 7 minutes per side instead of five. You’re looking for that internal temperature to hit 165°F, and thighs need that extra time to render some of that lovely fat. You’ll still get that amazing garlic butter coating, just with a more tender, falling-apart texture!
What makes this One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans a good Weeknight Dinner Idea?
This recipe is the definition of a great Weeknight Dinner Idea, primarily because of the speed and the cleanup, or lack thereof! Remember, the total time from turning on the stove to sitting down to eat is generally under 25 minutes. You cook the protein, blanch the veggies, and build the sauce all in the same skillet. After you serve it up, you only have that one pan and maybe a plate or two to wash. It means less time wrestling with pots and pans and more time relaxing after a long day. That simplicity is what helps me stick to healthier eating goals during the busy week!
If you are looking for more ways to simplify your cooking routine without sacrificing health, you really should check out my category dedicated to easy, healthy chicken dinners. There are so many simple solutions waiting for you!
Estimated Nutritional Information for One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans
Okay, let’s talk numbers! While the main focus of this recipe is certainly flavor and making our lives easier, I know a lot of you are tracking your macros or just keeping an eye on what goes into your body. This One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans is designed to be a wonderfully balanced meal, sitting nicely as a low-carb, high-protein option. It truly proves that healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing that cozy, comforting feel of a great homemade dinner.
I always need to give a little disclaimer here, which is super important for building trust! Since we are dealing with fresh, whole ingredients, the exact counts can vary a bit based on the size of your chicken pieces, or if you used a little extra lemon juice. These figures are solid estimates based on the standard quantities listed in the recipe for one serving. If you’re focusing on fueling up for a big hike, you’ll be happy to see that protein count!
We’ve packed a lot of nutrition into this quick skillet meal. For a deeper dive into meals that help you feel energized and supported in your wellness journey, check out my collection of high-protein recipes for healthy meals.
- Calories: Approximately 350
- Protein: 38g (That’s fantastic!)
- Fat: 18g (Mostly healthy fats from the oil and butter)
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: Only 3g
It’s a simple, clean breakdown that lets you enjoy that savory garlic butter without any guilt. It’s food that makes you feel good from the inside out!
Share Your One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans Experience
Whew! Now you have everything you need to whip up this ridiculously easy and flavorful One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans any night of the week. Honestly, when I develop recipes like this, it’s because I believe good, nourishing food shouldn’t require an hour of active cooking time. This one really captures the spirit of balanced living that I try to bring to all my cooking!
I would absolutely love to hear how it goes for you! Did you use asparagus instead of beans? Did you sneak in extra paprika? Please don’t keep your successes (or your little kitchen adventures!) to yourself. Hop down to the comments section below and leave a rating and let me know your thoughts. Your feedback helps me know what kinds of simple, healthy meals you all need next.
If you snapped a picture of your glistening chicken and bright green beans shining in that garlic butter sauce, share it on social media and tag me! Seeing your beautiful, homemade dinners always makes my day. If you want to follow along with more of my tips for approachable, flavorful meals based on solid nutrition, you can check out my author page right here: Meet Olivia Bennett. Happy cooking, friends!
Print
One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans
- Total Time: 25 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A quick, nutritious, and flavorful chicken and green bean dinner cooked entirely in one skillet for minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
- 1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
- 500g chicken breast fillets
- 400g green beans, trimmed
- 60g baby spinach leaves
- 40g unsalted butter, chopped
- 1 tbs Gourmet Garden Cold Blended Garlic Paste
- 3 tsp smoked paprika
- 8g Gourmet Garden Lightly Dried Parsley
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 minutes each side or until cooked through and golden brown. Transfer chicken to a plate, cover, and rest for 5 minutes.
- Add beans to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes or until just tender. Add spinach during the last minute of cooking. Transfer beans and spinach to the plate with the chicken.
- Add butter, garlic, and paprika to the pan and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until butter melts. Remove the pan from the heat and add half of the parsley. Return the chicken and beans to the pan and turn to coat everything in the butter mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- This recipe supports a balanced lifestyle by providing a low-carb, high-protein meal.
- Feel free to adjust seasoning or swap vegetables based on what you have available.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Unsaturated Fat: 11
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 110
Keywords: One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken & Green Beans, Easy Dinner Recipes, Weeknight Dinner Ideas, 30 Minute Meals, One Pan Meals, Family Dinner Ideas, Healthy Chicken Dinner, Skillet Meals