Garlic Butter Chicken & Broccoli Recipe

Introduction

This Garlic Butter Chicken Broccoli dish brings together tender chicken bites and crisp broccoli in a fragrant garlic butter sauce. Ready in under 15 minutes, it’s a perfect quick meal for busy weeknights that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or nutrition.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1/4 cup water and broccoli florets. Cover and steam for 2-3 minutes until broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender. Discard excess water.
3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium-low and melt butter in the skillet. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add soy sauce, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir to combine all flavors evenly.
5. Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes to infuse flavors.
6. Step 6: Gently fold in the steamed broccoli until evenly mixed and coated with sauce.
7. Step 7: Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm on its own or over rice, pasta, or cauliflower rice.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter.
• If fresh broccoli isn’t available, use frozen broccoli steamed separately to avoid excess moisture.
• Add chopped ginger or chili crisp for an extra layer of flavor.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to maintain moisture rather than microwaving. This dish also freezes well—freeze cooked chicken and broccoli separately from garnishes and thaw before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Yes, but it’s best to steam frozen broccoli separately to prevent watering down the sauce. Add it to the skillet after steaming for best texture.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

It can be made gluten-free by using tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative instead of regular soy sauce.

Garlic Butter Chicken & Broccoli Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 106 reviews

• Author: Ella
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 3 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Salt

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Description

This quick and easy Garlic Butter Chicken Broccoli dish combines tender, golden seared chicken bites with crisp, steamed broccoli all tossed in a rich, fragrant garlic butter sauce brightened with soy sauce and lemon juice. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan meal comes together in under 15 minutes and can be served alone or with your choice of rice, pasta, or cauliflower rice for a wholesome, flavorful dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Vegetables

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups fresh broccoli florets

Sauce and Seasonings

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Garnishes

• 1/4 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped (optional)

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Instructions

1. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden and thoroughly cooked. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
2. Steam Broccoli: In the same skillet, add 1/4 cup water and broccoli florets. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and steam for 2-3 minutes until broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender. Discard any excess water carefully.
3. Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to medium-low, add butter to the skillet and let it melt completely. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
4. Incorporate Sauce Flavors: Add soy sauce, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir well to combine and scrape up any browned bits from the pan to enhance flavor.
5. Combine Chicken with Sauce: Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss it thoroughly to coat with the garlic butter sauce and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
6. Finish with Broccoli: Gently fold the steamed broccoli into the skillet until evenly mixed and coated in the sauce.
7. Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm on its own or over rice, pasta, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.

Notes

• Use low sodium soy sauce or tamari to keep sodium levels in check.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with extra olive oil or vegan butter alternative.
• You can swap fresh broccoli for frozen; steam separately to avoid watering down the sauce.
• Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for a juicier texture.
• Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to maintain moisture; avoid microwaving to prevent drying out the chicken.
• Optional garnishes such as sesame seeds and parsley add texture and freshness but can be omitted.
• This dish keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days and freezes well when prepared without garnishes.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to preference.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: One-Pot & Quick Meals
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: garlic butter chicken broccoli, quick chicken recipe, one-pan chicken dinner, low carb chicken broccoli, easy weeknight meal, healthy chicken recipe