• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Mind "Full" Mom
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • All Recipes
    • Main Courses
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Soup, Stew, and Chili
      • Vegetarian
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Kid-Friendly
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Pantry Staples
    • Allergy Friendly Recipes
      • Plant-Based
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • All Recipes
    • Main Courses
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Soup, Stew, and Chili
      • Vegetarian
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Kid-Friendly
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Pantry Staples
    • Allergy Friendly Recipes
      • Plant-Based
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • All Recipes
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Real Food » 30-Minute Meals

    Chicken and Green Beans Skillet Recipe

    March 15, 2021 | By Kristen Chidsey | 22 Comments | *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pin
    Share
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Made with tender chicken breasts, crisp-tender green beans, sweet tomatoes, and a lemon-garlic pan sauce, this Skillet Chicken is a healthy, yet easy meal.

    This one-pan chicken skillet meal is low-carb, gluten-free, low-fat, and ready in under 20 minutes! Made with tender chicken breasts, crisp-tender green beans, sweet tomatoes, and an easy lemon-garlic pan sauce, Chicken and Green Beans Skillet is a healthy, yet easy meal.

    Chicken with green beans and tomatoes dished up in white bowl.

    When dinner needs to be fast and flavorful, I love turning to this simple recipe for Chicken and Green Bean Skillet.

    Made with tender chicken, crisp-tender green beans, fresh tomatoes, and a lemon garlic sauce, this skillet dinner comes together in one pan in just 20 minutes.

    But even though this chicken recipe is simple to make, it does not sacrifice anything in terms of flavor. From the sweet tomatoes to the salty parmesan cheese to the acidic, yet rich, pan sauce, this chicken dinner is downright delicious. It is seriously the perfect meal for any night of the week.

    Ingredients Needed

    Ingredients labeled on white counter for chicken green bean skillet.
    • Chicken: Use either boneless, skinless chicken breasts, tenders, or thighs.
    • Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or even seeded, diced Roma tomatoes will work. If I am making this dish in the winter months, I find grape tomatoes are best, as their flavor is good year-round.
    • Green Beans: Fresh green beans are best, but if you don't have fresh green beans, you can substitute thin frozen green beans that have been defrosted. For this recipe, I would not use canned green beans or cut thick frozen beans.
    • Lemon Juice: If you don't have fresh lemons, do NOT substitute jarred lemon juice. Instead, add an extra teaspoon of balsamic to round the flavor out.
    • Balsamic Vinegar: I don't recommend omitting or substituting the balsamic vinegar with another vinegar. There are only a handful of ingredients and the balsamic really helps to add dimension to this simple dish.
    • Thyme: Fresh thyme adds a nice citrus undertone and pairs well with the lemon zest and juice. If you don't have fresh thyme, use 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves (not ground thyme) in its place.
    • Parmesan Cheese: The parmesan is completely optional, but does add a nice finish to this recipe. Omit for a dairy-free, paleo-friendly, and whole30 approved recipe.

    How to Make Chicken and Green Beans Skillet

    • In a large nonstick skillet, heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
    • Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
    • Add the chicken to the skillet and brown on each side.
    Chicken browned in skillet.
    • Once the chicken has browned, add the minced garlic, green beans, and tomatoes to the skillet and saute for 1-2 minutes. 
    Green beans and tomatoes with chicken in skillet.
    • To the skillet, add in the broth, lemon zest, thyme, and balsamic vinegar and toss to coat.
    Chicken with tomatoes and green beans in skillet with lemon zest.
    • Reduce the heat to medium and cover the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the green beans are crisp-tender.
    • Remove from the heat and add the fresh lemon juice and serve with Parmesan cheese if desired.
    Skillet with chicken, green beans, and tomatoes, cheese.

    Serving Suggestions

    While this recipe for Chicken and Green Beans can stand on its own as a complete meal, it is also delicious served over brown rice or quinoa or with a baked sweet potato on the side. If you want to keep this meal low-carb, I suggest pairing it with a Copycat Panera Greek Salad or Spinach Bacon Salad.

    Option for Soft Green Beans

    I love the crisp-tender bite the fresh greens retain when they are simply sauteed in the skillet. However, if you would like your green beans on the softer side, I would recommend blanching or steaming the green beans prior to adding them to the saute pan with the chicken.

    • To blanch the green beans, drop them into boiling water for 2-3 minutes and then transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. After they have cooled, drain and pat dry with a paper towel before adding to the skillet.
    • To steam fresh green beans, place the green beans in a large heat-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons of water, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and microwave for 3-4 minutes.

    More Healthy Skillet Recipes

    • Easy Skillet Tilapia Veracruz
    • Honey Lemon Chicken Skillet
    • Ground Turkey Taco Skillet

    Need more inspiration for planning meals that your family will love? Sign up for my FREE Meal Plans and each week you will get a meal plan with a shopping list.

     If you enjoyed this simple one-pan chicken and green beans recipe, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

    Skillet with chicken, tomatoes, green beans, and tomatoes.

    Chicken with Green Beans and Tomatoes

    This simple chicken skillet recipe is made just 20 minutes with tender chicken, crisp-tender green beans, fresh tomatoes, and a rich, acidic lemon garlic pan sauce.
    4.83 from 23 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
    Diet: Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 158kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into 1 inch chunks
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 pound fresh green beans trimmed
    • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes halved
    • 1 sprig fresh thyme leaves
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • ¼ cup chicken broth or stock
    • 1 fresh lemon juice and zest
    • Parmesan Cheese optional
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. 
    • Season chicken with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper. Add the chicken to skillet and brown on each side, about 2 minutes per side. 
    • Once the chicken has browned, add the minced garlic, green beans, and tomatoes to skillet and saute for 1-2 minutes. 
    • Add in chicken broth, lemon zest, thyme, and balsamic vinegar. Lower the heat to medium and cover the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the beans are just crisp-tender.
    • Turn off the heat and add the juice of the fresh lemon and serve with Parmesan Cheese if desired.

    Notes

    Using Frozen Green Beans: If you don't have fresh green beans, you can substitute thin frozen green beans that have been defrosted. For this recipe, I would not use canned green beans or cut thick frozen beans
    Tomato Options: Cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or even seeded, diced Roma tomatoes will work. If I am making this dish in the winter months, I find grape tomatoes are best for the flavor profile.
    Fresh Thyme: If you don't have fresh thyme, leave out the thyme altogether or substitute 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves (not ground thyme.)
    Option for Soft Green Beans: For green beans that do not have a crisp-tender bite to them, I recommend either blanching or steaming the green beans before adding them to the skillet. To blanch the green beans, drop them into boiling water for 2-3 minutes and then transfer them to an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Alternatively, place the green beans in a large heat-safe bowl with 2 tablespoons of water, cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and microwave for 3-4 minutes. 
    Storage: Cooled leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I don't recommend freezing leftovers. 
    Lemon Juice: If you don't have fresh lemons, do NOT substitute jarred lemon juice. Instead, add an extra teaspoon of balsamic to round the flavor out.
    Dairy-Free Option: Omit the Parmesan cheese for a dairy-free recipe. 
    Storage: Cooled leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. I don't recommend freezing leftovers. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 158kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 689mg | Potassium: 613mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1360IU | Vitamin C: 42.7mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 2.1mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

    This recipe was originally published in 2016, but was updated in 2021 with new photos and a video.

    Pin
    Share
    « Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars
    Turkey Wrap »

    Categorized Under: 30-Minute Meals, Allergy Friendly Recipes, Dairy-Free Recipes, Easy Chicken Recipes, Gluten Free, Kid Friendly, Low Carb, Main Courses, Paleo, Real Food

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Gregg DeShon

      November 07, 2022 at 5:42 pm

      4 stars
      I love balsamic vinegar but a little goes a long way; I will cut in half when I make again. Also I will put tomatoes in at the end during the last five minutes when covered.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

    5

    SECRETS

    TO CUT FOOD COST

    Bag of fresh groceries.





    Instant Pot Favorites

    • Instant Pot Yogurt
    • Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
    • Instant Pot Pot Roast
    • Instant Pot Whole Chicken
    • Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt
    • Instant Pot Beans
    • Instant Pot Chicken Breast (Fresh or Frozen)
    • How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker

    Reader Favorites

    • Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • Easy Baked Salmon
    • Instant Pot Chicken Wings
    • Easy Homemade Latte Recipe
    • Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice
    • The Best Stuffed Shells
    • The Best Baked Meatballs
    • Air Fryer Potatoes

    Footer

    Featured on:

    Websites AMind"Full"Mom has been featured on

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    DISCLAIMER: THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT. AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I GENUINELY LOVE ARE OFTEN INCORPORATED IN MY POSTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

    Copyright © 2020 · A MIND "FULL" MOM