Chicken and Green Bean Skillet
Dinner In A Minute
This Weeknight Chicken and Green Bean Skillet is one of those simple, comforting dinners made with pantry staples. Tender chicken, savory green beans, and a rich tarragon gravy served over fluffy rice makes for an easy, nostalgic meal that’s perfect for busy nights.
After a six-hour drive home from Michigan, the last thing I wanted to do was order takeout. On my final stop before getting home, I ordered groceries for delivery. All I could think about was a comforting plate of chicken, green beans, and rice. This quick skillet dinner absolutely hit the spot. It came together in about 30 minutes. I made the rice in my Instant Pot while everything simmered, and it reheated just as well for lunch the next day.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Sometimes the simplest dinners end up becoming family favorites. This recipe uses canned green beans, Better Than Bouillon, and a handful of pantry spices to create a flavorful chicken gravy that tastes like it simmered all afternoon. The tarragon is the secret ingredient here. It gives the gravy a subtle herb flavor that pairs beautifully with the chicken.
This is also a great recipe for busy weeknights because everything cooks in one skillet before being spooned over rice.
Why Tarragon and Chicken Are A Perfect Pair
If you’ve never cooked with tarragon before, don’t let it intimidate you. Tarragon is a fragrant herb with a mild flavor. It’s often described as a blend of parsley, a hint of licorice or anise, and a touch of sweetness. It’s one of the classic herbs used in French cooking because it complements chicken beautifully without overpowering it.
A little goes a long way. Feel free to start with less and add more to suit your taste. In this recipe, the tarragon gives the simple chicken gravy a cozy, homemade flavor that makes the whole dish taste just a little bit special.
What Is Poultry Seasoning?
Despite the name, poultry seasoning doesn’t actually contain any poultry. It’s simply a blend of dried herbs and spices that has traditionally been used to season chicken, turkey, stuffing, soups, and gravies. The combination of savory herbs gives dishes a warm, comforting flavor that reminds many people of holiday dinners. I like adding just a few shakes to recipes like this because it gives the gravy a homemade taste without having to measure several different herbs.
Homemade Poultry Seasoning Recipe
If you don’t keep poultry seasoning in your spice cabinet, you can easily make a small batch with herbs you probably already have.
- 1 teaspoon ground sage
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Mix everything together and store it in an airtight spice jar. If you’re missing one or two of the herbs, don’t worry, it’s still delicious. Sage is really the signature flavor in most poultry seasoning blends, so as long as you have that, you’ll be well on your way to creating a similar flavor.
A Dinner The Whole Family Will Enjoy
This is one of those dependable dinners that’s hard to beat because just about everyone at the table will enjoy it. The tender bites of chicken, mild green beans, creamy gravy, and fluffy rice are comforting without being complicated, making it a meal that’s just as appealing to toddlers as it is to teenagers, busy adults, and grandparents. It’s the kind of simple home cooking that brings everyone to the table that you’ll find yourself making again and again.
More Ways To Serve This Chicken and Green Beans
While I love serving this over fluffy white rice, there are plenty of other delicious options. If you’re in the mood for classic comfort food, spoon it over my Creamy Mashed Potatoes so the savory gravy has something to soak into.
It’s also wonderful tossed with simple buttered egg noodles, or if you’re feeding a crowd, serve it over my Baked Buttered Noodles for an extra cozy meal. No matter which option you choose, you’ll end up with a hearty dinner that’s perfect for cooler evenings or whenever you’re craving a little comfort.
A Thoughtful Meal To Share
This is also one of those wonderful recipes to make for someone who could use a homemade meal. This comforting chicken dinner travels well and reheats beautifully. It’s perfect for anyone going through a life change. Pair it with a container of rice, mashed potatoes, or buttered noodles, and you’ve got a complete meal that lets someone know you’re thinking of them without requiring much effort on their part.
Chicken and Green Bean Skillet Recipe
Tender bites of chicken and canned green beans simmer together in a savory chicken gravy seasoned with tarragon, poultry seasoning, and a touch of paprika. Served over fluffy white rice, this is one of those comforting, budget-friendly dinners that comes together in about 30 minutes using pantry staples.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans cut green beans, do not drain
- 1 heaping tablespoon Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 tablespoon Wondra flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 2 teaspoons dried tarragon, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are about halfway done.
- Sprinkle the onion powder, garlic powder, tarragon, poultry seasoning, paprika, and black pepper over the chicken. Stir well and continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked. *a homemade recipe for poultry seasoning is in the post before the recipe card.
- Taste a piece of the chicken and adjust the seasonings if needed. If you're new to tarragon, start with a little less and add more to your taste.
- Add both cans of green beans with all of their liquid to the skillet.
- Stir in the Better Than Bouillon and bring everything to a gentle simmer. Cover with a lid and simmer on low heat for about 12 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- In a measuring cup, whisk together the cold water and Wondra flour until smooth.
- Remove the lid from the skillet and bring the mixture back to a gentle simmer. Slowly whisk in the flour mixture.
- Cook for 2 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens.
- Turn off the heat, cover the skillet, and let everything rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
- Spoon over hot cooked white rice and enjoy.
Tips
- Wondra flour blends beautifully into gravies, but all-purpose flour works just as well if whisked thoroughly into cold water first.
- Better Than Bouillon is naturally salty, and the canned green bean liquid also adds seasoning, so you likely won't need any additional salt.
- If you like extra gravy for your rice, simply add another 1/2 cup of water before thickening.
- This recipe reheats wonderfully, making it perfect for lunch the next day.
- Other serving ideas are in the post before the recipe card.