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

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.

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.

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.


Recipe
Originally Published On: August 14, 2018
Last Updated On: October 26, 2019

Lemon Thyme Chicken Dinner with Potatoes and Green Beans
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
Recommended Equipment
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
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.
Recipes with Lemon Flavor
- Watermelon Lemonade
- Lemon Crepes
- Lemon-Herb Chicken Kabobs
- Simple Strawberry Lemonade
- Instant Pot Lemon-Garlic Chicken
- Lemon-Tahini Chicken with Green Beans
- Lemon Bars with Prickly Pear Juice
- Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce
- Lemon Thyme Chicken Dinner with Potatoes and Green Beans
- Chicken and Carrots with Rosemary and Lemon Sauce
- Chicken Tortellini Salad with Lemon Dressing
- Lemon Rosemary Tilapia
- Pasta with a Lemon Butter Sauce
- Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Lemonade
- Shrimp Orzo with Lemon
- Kid-Friendly Lemon Bar Dessert
- Creamy Lemon Pasta
- Dairy-Free Sour Cream Substitute with Only 2 Ingredients
- Delightfully Tangy Chicken Piccata
Other Potato Recipes to try
- Smooth and Creamy Mashed Cauliflower and Potatoes
- Sheet Pan Salmon with Smashed Potatoes
- Guinness Beef Stew with Mashed Potatoes
- Creamy Au Gratin Potatoes with a Secret Ingredient
- Sheet Pan Ranch Pork and Potatoes
- Kale Beef Stew with Smashed Potatoes
- Lemon Thyme Chicken Dinner with Potatoes and Green Beans
- Creamy Homemade Mashed Potatoes
- BBQ Pork Potatoes in the Slow Cooker
- Roasted Potatoes Seasoned for Any Meal
- Potato Leek Skillet
- Sausage Potato and Kale Soup
- Country Ham Hash Breakfast
- Homemade French Fries in 20 Minutes
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!
Oh my gosh, yes! I don’t know how I went so long without a cast-iron skillet!
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.
Oh no! I guess it’s time to get a new one, then. Although the old one will have been seasoned so well.
Ooh, this sounds delicious! I love lemon and thyme – I bet they give the chicken so much flavor!
They do, especially the lemon. It pairs so well with the chicken and the thyme gives it that extra boost to take it to the next level.
This sounds like a great recipe – I will have to try this out as my daughter absolutely LOVES chicken!
My boys love chicken, too. I know I can get them to eat almost anything made with chicken.
I love the taste of lemon thyme. I have actually made something fairly similar once using cottage cheese as means of replacement for chicken – tasted really good!
Interesting. I’ve never heard of using cottage cheese like that.
I haven’t been eating chicken for a while. Now going to exactly that this evening with this recipe. Thank you for sharing!
We eat a lot of chicken here since my boys will eat it without argument. And they especially like anything with lemons lately.
Looks delicious!! I love the lemon flavor so much and luckily my daughter does, too! I should try this recipe sometime.
My boys have loved anything with lemon lately too. I hope your daughter enjoys the meal!
I love that you video’d their reactions to lemon! Lemon is one of my favorites for sure! I have never cooked using cast iron but this looks so good!
It’s so fun to go back and watch the videos. Now they have been making their own videos and it’s hilarious!
This looks like a great recipe. I will have to try this out soon. We eat a lot of chicken in our house!
We do, too. Chicken is one thing that we all agree on here.
I absolutely love the flavor combination of lemon and thyme. This looks like such a delicious recipe!
This was the first time we had tried it together and it works so well!
This looks so delicious. My husband would absolutely love this. Cant wait to make it for him this week.
What a wonderful surprise, I’m sure he will enjoy the meal!
That sounds super yummy. I love using thyme when I’m cooking. I’ll have to try this out!
I’ve only used it in a few recipes so far, but I have liked it when I do!
looks scrummy and im sure my kids would love this
My boys both really like the meal. They will eat almost any chicken and love lemons lately.
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.
Most of the time, they really want to help out with dinner. And they get paid chore money for meal prep and my oldest is all about making money recently!
This is great timing! I need some easy /healthy meals to have on hand after baby comes. This one is so great for that!
It would be a great recipe for after baby. It’s pretty easy to put together and very healthy, as you mentioned.
I bet I would go for more lemon 😛 I’m obsessed lately! Another great recipe Steph, I always find culinary inspiration on your blog!
You could easily add more lemon! As you can see, my boys are a bit obsessed with it, too!
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.
Oh yes, it would be perfect for days like that! And since it only uses one pan, it’s a great quick after-school meal.
I think lemon thyme would be fine. It seemed lucrative to me, I wish I could make it possible by myself. Thanks for sharing.
It’s a pretty easy recipe to throw together. I bet you could do it!
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
We eat a lot of chicken here, too. It’s not always easy coming up with something new every time!
This sounds like a great recipe! I don’t eat meat so I have to make something else for me. I like using thyme when I’m cooking.
Well, even without the meat, the flavors of lemon and thyme go really well together. I’m sure you could find something else to use them with that doesn’t have meat.
It is great to see that you are getting good use out of the cast iron skillet and creating lovely family meals xx
Some of my other pans are starting to lose their coating, I am so tempted to get almost all cast-iron now after using this one!