Description
Honey Lemon Chicken and Green Beans is a quick and flavorful skillet dinner featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces and crisp green beans coated in a bright, sweet-tangy honey lemon sauce. This easy-to-make meal is perfect for busy weeknights and can be customized with a variety of vegetables for added nutrition and flavor.
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz fresh green beans, trimmed
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp cornstarch
Other
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure quick and even cooking.
- Trim the green beans: Remove the ends from the fresh green beans and rinse them thoroughly.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, Dijon mustard, chicken broth, and cornstarch until smooth and well combined; this will create the sweet and tangy honey lemon sauce.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned on all sides and nearly cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add green beans and garlic: Add the trimmed green beans and minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until the beans are tender-crisp.
- Add the sauce: Pour the prepared honey lemon sauce into the skillet. Stir to combine and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the chicken and vegetables.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish for a burst of color and freshness. Serve immediately, ideally over rice or your preferred side.
Notes
- Substitute chicken breasts with boneless skinless chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
- Use thawed frozen green beans if fresh ones are not available; increase cooking time slightly.
- Customize by adding additional vegetables such as broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers, or carrots.
- For extra flavor, add fresh ginger or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of broth if sauce thickens.
- Serve with rice to soak up the delicious honey lemon sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
