If you’re looking for a dish that’s quick, flavorful, and utterly satisfying, you’ll want to try this Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe. I absolutely love how this meal comes together in just one pan, with juicy chicken coated in a crispy parmesan crust, tender green beans, and a tangy lemon butter sauce that ties it all together beautifully. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll become a regular in your dinner rotation!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in one skillet, so cleanup is a breeze.
Flavor Explosion: The garlic, lemon, and butter create a sauce that’s bright and comforting at the same time.
Perfectly Crispy Chicken: The parmesan and flour coating gives an irresistible crunch.
Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this dish, and I think yours will too!

A round silver pan holds a dish with three light golden brown cooked chicken pieces on top. Underneath and around the chicken are bright green beans and several round slices of cooked lemon that are golden and slightly charred on the edges. The chicken is sprinkled with small green herb pieces and has a slightly shiny sauce coating parts of it. The pan is placed on a white marbled surface, with a white cloth with black stripes in the back left and a glass cup with some sauce behind the pan. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet, easy chicken skillet recipe, lemon butter chicken, one-pan chicken dinner, flavorful chicken recipes

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients here are simple but work harmoniously to build layers of flavor. I love how the parmesan cheese adds a subtle nuttiness to the chicken crust, while the lemon juice brightens everything up. Be sure to get good-quality butter and fresh garlic for the best results.

Flat lay of a small mound of pale all-purpose flour in a simple white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with finely grated pale yellow parmesan cheese, a small white bowl holding golden olive oil, a few sprigs of dried Italian seasoning herbs, two whole boneless, skinless raw chicken breasts with a pale pink hue, a whole fresh lemon sliced into thin rounds arranged neatly on a white ceramic plate, a small white bowl containing bright yellow lemon juice, four plump peeled garlic cloves and four minced garlic pieces in a separate small white bowl, a pinch of vibrant red pepper flakes in a tiny white bowl, four small cubes of cold butter with a creamy pale yellow color on a white ceramic dish, and fresh green beans cut into one-inch pieces scattered neatly on a plain white ceramic plate—all ingredients fresh and natural, no packaging or utensils, perfect symmetry and balanced layout, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet, easy chicken skillet recipe, lemon butter chicken, one-pan chicken dinner, flavorful chicken recipes

All-purpose flour: Helps create the crispy coating on the chicken when combined with parmesan.
Grated parmesan: Adds a rich, savory flavor and crispy texture to the chicken crust.
Olive oil: For searing the chicken perfectly without sticking.
Garlic powder: Enhances the garlic flavor without burning, since fresh garlic is used later for the sauce.
Italian seasoning: Brings a lovely herbaceous note to the sauce.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: You can use either based on your preference; thighs stay a bit juicier.
Lemon juice and lemon slices: Essential for that fresh citrus punch in the sauce and to brighten the pan flavors.
Fresh garlic cloves: Minced for the buttery sauce, giving it a fragrant kick.
Red pepper flakes: Adds a subtle heat that balances the lemon’s acidity.
Cold butter, cubed: Folded gently into the sauce for a silky finish.
Green beans: Fresh and crisp, they sauté right in the pan soaking up all those delicious flavors.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

This Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe is incredibly adaptable. You can easily tweak it to suit your tastes or dietary needs, so you’re never stuck making the exact same dish twice.

Protein swap: Sometimes I switch out chicken for chicken thighs instead of breasts, which makes the dish a bit more tender and juicy.
Veggie mix-up: If green beans aren’t your thing, try asparagus or broccoli—they soak up the sauce wonderfully.
Spicy kick: I occasionally add a pinch more red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to turn up the heat.
Dairy-free option: Use a plant-based butter substitute and nutritional yeast instead of parmesan—still delicious!

How to Make Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Coat the Chicken

Start by combining the flour, grated parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. This blend is the magic that creates the crispy crust. Next, pat your chicken dry—this is key!—and dredge each piece in the mixture, shaking off any extra flour. Dry chicken helps the coating stick better and browns nicely without steaming.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat your skillet over medium-high and swirl in the olive oil. When the oil’s shimmering, add the chicken pieces. Let them cook undisturbed for 4-6 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the crust turns golden and the chicken is cooked through. Resist the urge to flip too soon or you’ll lose that beautiful crust. When done, transfer the chicken to a plate to rest while you make the sauce.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the lemon juice, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning. Let it simmer gently until it reduces down to about 3 tablespoons—this concentrates the flavors wonderfully. Then, off the heat, whisk in cold butter cubes one by one. This method ensures the sauce emulsifies into a glossy, rich finish that coats the chicken perfectly. Keep swirling until all the butter is melted, then set the sauce aside.

Step 4: Sauté the Green Beans and Assemble

Check if your skillet needs a little extra oil, and add a small drizzle if so. Toss in the lemon slices to pick up those caramelized chicken bits on the pan — this is where the flavor builds! Then add the green beans and sauté for 3-5 minutes until tender but still crisp. Season with salt, pepper, and the remaining garlic powder. Once the beans are ready, nestle the chicken back into the skillet on top of the beans. Drizzle your garlic lemon butter sauce all over, or serve it on the side so everyone can add as much as they like.

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Pro Tips for Making Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe

Pat Chicken Dry: Always dry your chicken before dredging—it ensures the coating sticks and you get that perfect crust.
Don’t Rush the Sauce: Reduce the lemon juice mixture patiently to concentrate flavor without burning the garlic.
Use Cold Butter: Adding cold butter off the heat helps your sauce stay creamy and prevents it from separating.
Let Chicken Rest: Resting keeps juices locked in, making every bite tender and juicy instead of dry.

How to Serve Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe

The image shows a single piece of golden-brown cooked chicken placed on top of a bed of green beans. Under the chicken, there is a slice of grilled lemon adding a pop of yellow color. The chicken is sprinkled with fresh green herbs and some seasoning that gives it a slightly glossy texture. The dish is served on a white plate with a dark rim, and a silver fork with an aged handle is resting on the edge of the plate. The surface beneath the plate has a white marbled texture, creating a clean and simple background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet, easy chicken skillet recipe, lemon butter chicken, one-pan chicken dinner, flavorful chicken recipes

Garnishes

I usually finish this dish with fresh chopped parsley or a sprinkle of extra parmesan on top—it adds a fresh pop of green and a nice textural contrast. Sometimes, if I’m feeling fancy, a few extra lemon wedges on the side let everyone squeeze on a little boost of brightness.

Side Dishes

This skillet meal is satisfying on its own, but you can pair it with fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or even crusty bread to soak up that amazing lemon butter sauce. My favorite quick side is garlic roasted potatoes, which double down on the savory garlic goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I love plating this dish family-style, serving it right from the skillet on the table with colorful veggies scattered around and lemon slices arranged like little flowers. It really feels warm and inviting, perfect for those cozy dinner parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chicken maintains its flavor well, though the crust softens a bit—still tasty, just less crisp. I recommend reheating carefully to keep things moist.

Freezing

While I haven’t frozen the green beans side with this dish often because they lose some texture, the chicken and sauce freeze wonderfully. Freeze them separately if you can, then thaw overnight in the fridge. It’s perfect for meal prep.

Reheating

To keep the chicken from drying out when reheating, pop it in a skillet over low heat covered with a lid, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems dry. If you want to refresh the crust, a quick broil at the end works wonders. Heat the sauce gently in a small pan, whisking to bring back that silky texture.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are actually my personal favorite because they stay juicy and flavorful. Just be sure to adjust your cooking time slightly; thighs might need a bit more time to cook through depending on their thickness.
What can I substitute if I don’t have parmesan cheese?

You can substitute nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option or even finely grated pecorino romano for a sharper flavor. Just keep in mind that parmesan adds a nice crispy crust, so try to pick something that will brown well.
How do I prevent the sauce from breaking when adding butter?

The trick is to remove the pan from heat when adding cold butter cubes, then swirl gently until each piece melts before adding the next. This keeps the sauce emulsified and silky rather than oily.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Definitely! Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend that’s good for frying. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so you’re all set.

Final Thoughts

I used to struggle getting pan-seared chicken juicy and full of flavor until I discovered this Garlic Lemon Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe. Now it’s my go-to when I want something impressive but not complicated. The combination of crispy chicken, bright lemon, and garlicky butter sauce just hits all the right notes. I can’t recommend it enough—give it a try, and I bet your family will be asking for seconds just like mine do!