One Pan Lemon-Tahini Chicken Recipe with Green Beans

Name: Lemon-Tahini Chicken with Green Beans
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1/2 tbsp cumin; 1 tsp thyme; 1 tsp paprika; 1 lb chicken breasts (boneless, skinless); 2 tbsp olive oil; 8 oz green beans (trimmed); 1/2 yellow onion (diced); 1 tsp salt; 1 1/4 cup chicken broth; 1/2 cup tahini; 1/4 cup lemon juice; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 lemon (wedged)

Lemon-Tahini Chicken is an easy one-pan meal that packs a punch of flavor. It can be ready in 30 minutes for a quick no-mess dinner.

Jump to Recipe

Tahini is an ingredient most commonly used when making hummus. In fact, that’s the reason I purchased a large jar of tahini a while ago. But I wanted to try other ways to use it, too. Lemon and chicken are key ingredients in Mediterranean dishes, so I decided to put them all together.

Lemon-Tahini Chicken was originally made as a meal in my one-pan 30-minute cookbook. So, knowing that, it’s a simple recipe. It doesn’t take much time to put together and doesn’t dirty a lot of dishes. That’s my kind of meal! I absolutely love how quick and easy it is to whip up this delicious dish.

The tangy lemon flavor combined with the creamy tahini creates a mouthwatering combination that will tantalize your taste buds. The tender and juicy chicken is perfectly cooked and bathed in the delightful creamy lemon tahini sauce, making each bite incredibly flavorful.

This dish is not only a time-saver but also a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or a group of friends, this Lemon-Tahini Chicken recipe is sure to impress. So why wait? Give it a try and indulge in the delectable flavors of this scrumptious dish tonight!

This is a slightly bitter sauce, but we really enjoyed it. The tahini adds a very distinct and robust flavor, which can sometimes be overpowering. Despite resembling peanut butter in texture, tahini paste diverges from the usual sweetness found in other nut-based spreads. This unique quality is precisely what makes it a perfect companion to the tangy lemon. While the sauce tends to carry a subtle bitterness, it is still a delightful and appetizing addition with a nutty flavor.

Garnish Options

Every meal can be elevated with the right garnish. Here are a few options that would be delicious with this tahini sauce recipe.

Lemon zest
Fresh parsley
Fresh garlic
Fresh dill
Red pepper flakes

Best Substitutes for Lemon Tahini Chicken

Instead of the green beans, try some of these vegetables in the meal:

Sweet potatoes
Brussels sprouts
Snap peas
Red onions

If you don’t have thyme, a number of other fresh herbs can work in it’s place:

Oregano
Marjoram
Parsley
Rosemary
Basil

Serving Ideas & Variations

Serve this chicken over quinoa, couscous, or lemon-dressed rice.
Add extra veggies like roasted broccoli, zucchini, or carrots for more color and crunch.
Garnish with chopped parsley, sliced green onions, or a squeeze of fresh lemon.
For a twist, mix tahini with plain yogurt to create a creamier, tangy drizzle.
Cauliflower rice would be delicious smothered with excess marinade
Serve with a light salad such as cucumber tomato salad or a Greek salad

Why You’ll Love This One-Pan Lemon-Tahini Chicken

One-pan wonder: Skip extra dishes—green beans cook right alongside the chicken.
Fast & flavorful: Just ~30 minutes for a dinner that packs brightness from lemon and richness from tahini.
Crowd-pleaser: Creamy, garlicky, tangy flavors that are kid-friendly and weeknight-approved.
Meal-prep ready: Keeps beautifully for lunches—flavors deepen over time.

Pro Tips

Tip	Why It Matters
Pat chicken dry before searing	Pat the chicken dry before searing
Thin your tahini sauce gradually	Avoids separation—warm water or oil smooths the texture for drizzling.
Adjust rice moisture	Add a splash of stock if the rice isn’t fully cooked after the suggested bake time.
Marinate at least 20 minutes	Letting flavors meld enhances depth, though overnight yields the best results.

Lemon-Tahini Chicken FAQ

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes—shorten cooking time, and consider shredding chicken back into the sauce to retain moisture.

Can this be made in a slow cooker?

Absolutely. Combine ingredients in slow cooker, cook on low for 4–6 hours, shred chicken, and stir back into the creamy tahini sauce.

How should I store leftovers?

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in oven or microwave; the sauce may thicken—just stir in a little warm water to loosen.

Lemon-Tahini Chicken Step by Step

Ingredients

1/2 tbsp cumin
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp paprika
1 lb chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
2 tbsp olive oil
8 oz green beans (trimmed)
1/2 yellow onion (diced)
1 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup tahini
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp pepper
1 lemon (wedged)

Preparation

In a small bowl, whisk the cumin, thyme, and paprika.

Seasonings in a small stainless steel bowl on a wooden surface

Coat the chicken breasts with the seasoning mixture in a large bowl. If you have time, let the chicken marinade for about 30 minutes in the seasoning.

Raw chicken covered in seasonings in a stainless steel bowl on a wooden surface

Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat and add the chicken, cooking for 5-7 minutes, until the outside is brown and crispy (the inside may not be cooked through yet).

Browned chicken in a cast-iron skillet on a wooden surface

Remove the chicken from the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Add the green beans, yellow onion, and 1/2 tsp of salt. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, until the onions start to soften.

Green beans and onions in a cast-iron skillet on a wooden surface

Return the chicken to the pan and add 1 cup of chicken broth. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat. Simmer, uncovered, for about 6-8 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

Chicken and vegetables with broth in a cast-iron skillet on a wooden surface

Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken and green beans to a plate and cover to keep warm. Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup of chicken broth, tahini, and lemon juice into the skillet. Add 1/2 tsp of salt and pepper to the pan, stirring to combine.

Tahini and broth sauce in a cast-iron skillet on a wooden surface

Return the chicken and vegetables to the pan and turn to coat in the liquid. Serve warm with lemon wedges.

Lemon-tahini chicken in a cast-iron skillet next to a brown and white cloth on a wooden surface (vertical)

Lemon-Tahini Chicken Leftovers

Storage: I stored leftover Lemon-Tahini Chicken in the refrigerator in an airtight container.

Reheating: To reheat, cook either in a skillet again or in the microwave until everything is warmed through. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a bit of chicken broth to it as you warm the meal.

Recipe

Originally Published On: February 24, 2021

Last Updated On: August 20, 2025

Lemon-tahini chicken in a cast-iron skillet next to a brown and white cloth on a wooden surface

Lemon-Tahini Chicken with Green Beans

Lemon-Tahini Chicken is an easy one-pan meal that packs a punch of flavor. It can be ready in 30 minutes for a quick no-mess dinner.

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Course:

Main Dish

Cuisine:

American

Mediterranean

Keyword:

chicken

lemons

tahini sauce

Dietary Needs:

Dairy-Free

Egg-Free

Gluten-Free

Paleo

Whole30

Meat:

Chicken/Turkey

Cooking Method:

One-Pan Meals

Servings:

5 from 2 votes

Ingredients

1/2 tbsp cumin
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp paprika
1 lb chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
2 tbsp olive oil
8 oz green beans (trimmed)
1/2 yellow onion (diced)
1 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup tahini
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp black pepper
1 lemon (wedged)

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

In a small mixing bowl, whisk the cumin, thyme, and paprika
Coat the chicken breasts with the seasoning mixture
Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat and add the chicken, cooking 5-7 minutes, until the outside is brown and crispy (the inside may not be cooked through yet)
Remove the chicken from the pan and reduce the heat to medium
Add the green beans, yellow onion, and 1/2 tsp of salt
Cook for about 3-5 minutes, until the onions start to soften
Return the chicken to the pan and add 1 cup of chicken broth
Bring to a boil then reduce the heat
Simmer, uncovered, for about 6-8 minutes until the chicken is cooked through
Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken and green beans to a plate and cover to keep warm
Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup of chicken broth, tahini, and lemon juice into the skillet
Add 1/2 tsp of salt and pepper to the pan, stirring to combine
Return the chicken and vegetables to the pan and turn to coat in the liquid
Serve warm with lemon wedges

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Nutrition Facts

Lemon-Tahini Chicken with Green Beans

Amount Per Serving (1 each)

Calories 413 Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Fat 27g42%

Saturated Fat 4g20%

Trans Fat 1g

Cholesterol 73mg24%

Sodium 999mg42%

Potassium 843mg24%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 4g16%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 31g62%

Vitamin A 736IU15%

Vitamin C 37mg45%

Calcium 97mg10%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.

Tahini-Lemon Chicken FAQs

What is Tahini?

Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It originates from Mediterranean cuisines.

What does Tahini taste like?

While the texture is similar to nut butters, the taste is very different. It has a seedy, earthy taste that can sometimes be bitter.

Where do I find Tahini?

I tend to purchase it on Amazon. Once opened, it will last about 1-2 months in the pantry or 6 months in the refrigerator. With a long enough shelf life, I can buy a decent-sized container. If you are searching your favorite grocery store, check with other condiments or canned nuts.

More Uses for Tahini

Once you purchase a container of tahini for your Tahini-Lemon Chicken, you may be wondering what else you can make with tahini. I gathered recipes from other food websites (with their permission of course) of unique ways to use the tahini.

Other Tahini Recipes

Lemon Flavor

Greek Recipes

Jolina

February 24, 2021 at 5:25 pm

Same!! We have a large tub of tahini but we really only have 1 recipe to use it for lol. This tahini chicken looks delicious. Can’t wait to check out the other recipes on here as well.