Garlic Chicken and Green Beans Recipe

This Garlic Chicken and Green Beans recipe is a quick-fix, flavor-packed meal that brings together juicy, golden-seared chicken, tender-crisp green beans, and a buttery garlic sauce that will make you want to lick your plate clean. It’s a personal staple for busy weeknights, but special enough to impress anyone at your table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s how the humble cast of characters comes together to make Garlic Chicken and Green Beans truly shine. Each ingredient plays a role — from building the buttery, aromatic sauce to adding pops of color and crunch. Don’t skip anything: they each bring their own magic!

• Chicken breasts: Butterflied for quicker, even cooking and maximum tenderness in every bite.
• Salt & pepper: Go generous — seasoning at each stage is the secret to flavor-packed chicken.
• Olive oil: Helps achieve that beautiful golden sear on the chicken pieces.
• Butter: Adds richness, depth, and brings the sauce and beans together with its velvety finish.
• Onion: Chopped finely for gentle sweetness and body in the sauce.
• Garlic: Lots of it! Minced garlic infuses both the chicken and the beans with irresistible aroma.
• Chicken broth: Forms the base of the sauce, making everything savory and just the right amount of saucy.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce ever-so-slightly, making it cling to every bite without feeling heavy.
• Fresh thyme (or dried thyme/poultry seasoning): Brings a herby, earthy freshness that lifts all the flavors.
• Fresh green beans: Bright, crisp, and the perfect match for tender, juicy chicken — don’t forget to trim the ends!
• Italian seasoning: Adds extra depth and a hint of Mediterranean herbiness to the beans.
• Red pepper flakes (optional): Just a pinch for those who crave a gentle kick.
• Lemon: Both juice and wedges — brightens everything and balances the butter.

Variations

One of the best things about Garlic Chicken and Green Beans? How easy it is to make it your own. Mix and match ingredients or spices to suit your family’s tastes, or adjust to what’s in your pantry — the recipe is endlessly flexible!

• Swap the veggie: Try asparagus, broccoli, or snap peas if you’re out of green beans — they’ll still taste amazing with the same technique.
• Make it dairy-free: Use a vegan butter or all olive oil for the sauce and beans — you’ll still get great flavor and silky texture.
• Bump up the heat: Double the red pepper flakes or toss in a pinch of cayenne if you want dinner to have a more fiery kick.
• Lemon-lovers’ twist: Add more fresh lemon juice at the end or toss in a handful of lemon zest with the beans for a super-bright finish.

How to Make Garlic Chicken and Green Beans

Step 1: Flatten and Season the Chicken

Begin by butterflying each chicken breast so they cook quickly and evenly. Pat them dry (this helps with browning!) and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. This crucial step sets the stage for seriously flavorful Garlic Chicken and Green Beans.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken pieces. Let them sit and sear for about 4 minutes without touching, so you get a gorgeous golden crust. Flip, cook 4–5 minutes more, until just cooked through, then remove to a plate so they rest and stay juicy.

Step 3: Build the Garlicky Sauce

Reduce the heat a bit, add butter to the same pan, and sauté the onions until they’re soft, translucent, and catching just a hint of golden color. Toss in the minced garlic, stirring just until it’s fragrant—don’t let it burn! Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up every delicious bit stuck to the bottom, add the thyme, and let everything simmer so the flavors marry.

Step 4: Cook the Green Beans

While the sauce simmers, grab another skillet for the green beans. Heat the butter, briefly sauté the garlic for a burst of aroma, then add the trimmed beans, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stir well, add a splash of water, cover, and let the beans simmer gently until they’re bright green and just-tender, about 10–12 minutes. Finish with a good squeeze of lemon for sparkle.

Step 5: Thicken and Combine

Mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water until smooth, then whisk it into your simmering sauce to get that perfect velvety consistency. Nestle the chicken back into the pan, spoon the sauce over top, and let it all heat through for a couple of minutes, soaking up every flavor. Time for Garlic Chicken and Green Beans to come together as one!

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the juicy chicken alongside those glossy, garlicky green beans, then garnish with lemon wedges for a final flourish. Gather your people around and prepare for rave reviews — this is the moment Garlic Chicken and Green Beans truly shines!

How to Serve Garlic Chicken and Green Beans

Garnishes

A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thyme on top of your Garlic Chicken and Green Beans makes everything pop with color and an herby aroma. I love finishing with an extra squeeze of fresh lemon and a tiny grind of black pepper for that restaurant-worthy finish.

Side Dishes

This dish is hearty on its own, but it’s also perfect alongside fluffy mashed potatoes, herbed rice, or a crusty baguette — anything to catch every drop of that gorgeous garlic sauce. For a lighter touch, a fresh green salad on the side works beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve Garlic Chicken and Green Beans family-style on a large platter with lemon wedges scattered across — it’s vibrant, inviting, and perfect for sharing. Or slice the chicken, fan it over the beans, and drizzle with extra sauce for an elegant, dinner-party-worthy presentation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let everything cool completely, then store your leftover Garlic Chicken and Green Beans in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors meld and get even better, making tomorrow’s lunch something to absolutely look forward to!

Freezing

Want to freeze for later? Place cooled chicken and beans (with some of the sauce) in freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to three months. For best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm everything together in a skillet over medium-low, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce has thickened a bit too much. This brings Garlic Chicken and Green Beans back to life in just minutes, keeping the chicken juicy and the beans crisp-tender!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a meal that’s both easy and unforgettable, Garlic Chicken and Green Beans hits the sweet spot every time. It’s become one of my weeknight go-tos, and I know you’ll fall in love too — so gather your ingredients and give it a try. You’ll be amazed just how delicious simple can be!

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