Cast-iron with diced tomatoes, lemon slices, green beans, and cooked chicken covered in seasonings on a brown towel (with logo overlay)

Lemon Thyme Chicken Dinner with Potatoes and Green Beans

Combine the delicious flavors of lemon and thyme in this easy chicken dinner made with potatoes and green beans for a well-rounded meal.

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I recently received my first cast-iron skillet as a gift from my in-laws. The pan has opened up new possibilities for family meals. I often see ideas for recipes that are cooked in a skillet in the oven. Now that I have the cast-iron, I can make delicious meals such as this Lemon Thyme Chicken!

I’ve had this recipe for Weeknight Lemon Chicken Skillet Dinner bookmarked for a long time, but wasn’t ever able to make it because of the pan situation. This was the first meal we made with the new pan. I had to learn how to use the cast-iron pan. But now, I love it!

Using a cast-iron pan is the same as any other pan. Cleaning them is a bit different. The pans shouldn’t be soaked in water. After scrubbing the pans need to be completely dried. The easiest way to do that is to put it back on the stovetop for a few minutes. Then rub it with oil before putting away. The pans are porous, so you don’t want them holding water. But don’t forget they are on the stovetop! I did one time and it set our smoke alarm off!!

As usual, the boys were in the kitchen while I was cooking, and were begging to try the lemons. I sliced what I needed for the recipe, then gave them each a slice to eat. And, as all good parents do, I videoed it for future enjoyment! And yours, too! Despite the faces, they love lemons. Both boys ask for them in their water and will eat them straight when they can.

Tyler eating lemons:

Ryan eating lemons:

The lemon flavor was pretty strong in this dish, so I plan to cut down on the lemon next time. I know it has lemon in the name, but I would like to taste the other flavors, too. Don’t worry, I made those adjustments the second time we made the recipe.

The potatoes have to be boiled before adding to the final dish. Otherwise, this is a one-pan meal. Because the Lemon Thyme Chicken goes in and out of the oven, it wasn’t a meal that the boys could easily help prepare, but they still enjoy being in the kitchen with us. 

If you’re looking for other easy one-pan chicken meals, try Sheet Pan Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potatoes or Chicken and Broccoli with Garlic Cream.

Lemon Thyme Chicken Step by Step

Ingredients

  • 12 oz baby red potatoes (halved)
  • 3 cups water
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp ground thyme
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 5 tsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 lemon (sliced thin)
  • 8 oz green beans
  • 1 tbsp parsley

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 450F then cut the potatoes in half and boil them for about 12 minutes, until they are tender. 

Add one teaspoon of oil to a large ovenproof skillet (preferably cast-iron) and warm over medium-high heat. Place the chicken breasts in the pan and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt, pepper, and ground thyme.

Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes. Flip the chicken. It won’t be cooked through yet. You just want a crisp outer layer.

Cast-iron pan with cooked chicken breasts sitting on a wooden surface

Place the skillet with the chicken in the oven. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken. You want the chicken cooked through. The cook time will depend on the thickness of the chicken you use. After it cooks, place the pan back on the stovetop and remove the chicken.

Set the pan over medium-high heat and add two tablespoons of oil and the potatoes, cut side down. Sprinkle the potatoes with one teaspoon of ground thyme. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, The potatoes should be brown on the edges.

Cast-iron pan with diced potatoes covered with milk on a wooden surface

Whisk the flour and water in a small bowl then add to the pan with salt and pepper, chicken broth, lemon, and green beans. Let this simmer for a couple of minutes until the liquid starts to thicken.

Cast-iron pan with diced tomatoes, lemons, and green beans on a wooden surface

Return the chicken to the pan then reduce the heat and cover. Simmer for about 5 minutes. The green beans will be crisp-tender and the chicken warmed. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately. 

Cast-iron with diced tomatoes, lemon slices, green beans, and cooked chicken covered in seasonings on a brown towel (vertical)

Recipe

Originally Published On: August 14, 2018

Last Updated On: October 26, 2019

Cast-iron with diced tomatoes, lemon slices, green beans, and cooked chicken covered in seasonings on a brown towel

Lemon Thyme Chicken Dinner with Potatoes and Green Beans

Combine the delicious flavors of lemon and thyme in this easy chicken dinner made with potatoes and green beans for a well-rounded meal.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course:
Main Dish
Cuisine:
American
Keyword:
chicken
|
lemon
|
potatoes
Servings: 4 servings
5 from 7 votes

Ingredients

  • 12 oz baby red potatoes (halved)
  • 3 cups water
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbsp ground thyme
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 5 tsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 lemon (sliced thin)
  • 8 oz green beans
  • 1 tbsp parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 450F
  • Add potatoes and water to a medium saucepan and boil for 12 minutes, until tender, and drain
  • Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tbsp oil
  • Place the chicken in the pan and sprinkle with 1/4 tsp each of salt, pepper, and ground thyme
  • Cook for 5 minutes, until browned on the bottom (chicken won’t be cooked through)
  • Flip the chicken then place the entire pan in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, until the chicken is done
  • Place the pan back on the stovetop and remove the chicken
  • Set the pan to medium-high heat and add 2 tbsp oil
  • Add the potatoes, cut side down, and brown for 3-5 minutes, stirring once
  • In a small bowl, whisk the milk and flour, then pour that in the pan
  • Add the remaining salt, pepper, and thyme as well as the chicken broth, lemon slices, and green beans
  • Simmer for 1-2 minutes, until the liquid starts to thicken
  • Place the chicken in the pan, cover, and simmer for about 3-5 minutes, until the chicken is warm and the green beans are crisp-tender
  • Garnish with parsley and serve immediately
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Nutrition Facts
Lemon Thyme Chicken Dinner with Potatoes and Green Beans
Amount Per Serving
Calories 461 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 3g15%
Cholesterol 146mg49%
Sodium 1310mg55%
Potassium 1486mg42%
Carbohydrates 23g8%
Fiber 4g16%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 52g104%
Vitamin A 615IU12%
Vitamin C 34.2mg41%
Calcium 100mg10%
Iron 4.3mg24%
* 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.

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42 thoughts on “Lemon Thyme Chicken Dinner with Potatoes and Green Beans”

  1. 5 stars
    We love our cast-iron skillet. Is it just me or is anything cooked on it taste more delicious?? LOL! You lemon thyme chicken looks very tasty. I don’t think I’d mind it being quite lemony, I’m a huge fan!

  2. 5 stars
    I love this recipe and I will try it. I left my cast iron in NJ with my older daughter. I cooked something for her the last day and forgot to put it in the truck.

  3. 5 stars
    I haven’t been eating chicken for a while. Now going to exactly that this evening with this recipe. Thank you for sharing!

  4. I love that you get your kids in the kitchen with you. This would be a great meal to try with my kids. I love anything with a potato baked. Adding the lemon to the dish is such a fresh touch.

  5. This is great timing! I need some easy /healthy meals to have on hand after baby comes. This one is so great for that!

  6. I bet I would go for more lemon 😛 I’m obsessed lately! Another great recipe Steph, I always find culinary inspiration on your blog!

  7. MELANIE EDJOURIAN

    This sounds like a tasty and yummy dish that isn’t too hard to make. Love the mix of lemon and thyme. It’s a great warming dish for the kids when they get home after school, especially if we walk home.

  8. Omg can we say yum?!?! I’m always looking for new chicken recipes!!!! I will have to add this to next weeks menu!!! Sounds delicious

  9. It is great to see that you are getting good use out of the cast iron skillet and creating lovely family meals xx

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