Creamy chicken with sweetcorn and broccoli sears diced chicken, then simmers broccoli and corn directly in a light cream-broth sauce until tender, ready in about 30 minutes. Cooking the broccoli and corn directly in the cream-broth mixture rather than steaming them separately lets the vegetables pick up the sauce's flavor as they finish cooking.
Creamy Chicken with Sweetcorn and Broccoli
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Sauce:
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup sweetcorn
- 1 cup light cream or cooking cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated cheese (optional)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Optional:
- Cooked rice or pasta for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add broccoli and sweetcorn, cook for 3–4 minutes.
- Pour in chicken broth and cream, then add paprika.
- Simmer for 5–7 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Stir in grated cheese if using and mix until melted.
- Adjust seasoning and serve warm over rice or pasta.
Recipe Notes
- Use low-fat cream for a lighter version.
- Add chili flakes for a spicy kick.
- Do not overcook broccoli to keep it vibrant.
- Store leftovers in fridge up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- 1 serving
- Calories
- 420
- Sugar
- 4 g
- Sodium
- 380 mg
- Fat
- 18 g
- Saturated Fat
- 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat
- 10 g
- Trans Fat
- 0 g
- Carbohydrates
- 20 g
- Fiber
- 3 g
- Protein
- 38 g
- Cholesterol
- 85 mg
Why you'll love this
- Searing the chicken first and setting it aside before adding the vegetables means the pan already carries browned flavor before the lighter cream sauce is built on top of it.
- Adding the cheese only at the end, stirred in until melted, rather than earlier, keeps the sauce from clumping since dairy is more prone to separating the longer it's exposed to heat.
Tips for the best result
- Don't overcook the broccoli, as the recipe's own notes specify, to keep it vibrant rather than dull and soft.
- Use low-fat cream for a lighter version, per the recipe's own notes, if a richer sauce isn't the goal.
Troubleshooting
The broccoli turned dull green and mushy.
This means it simmered too long in the sauce. Add it a bit later in the process next time, or reduce the simmer time once it's added, checking for tender-crisp rather than fully soft.
The sauce is thinner than expected.
Let it simmer the full 5-7 minutes the recipe calls for before adding the cheese, since this is what allows the sauce to reduce and thicken before the cheese is stirred in.
Sauce has separated or appears curdled.
don’t panic! Lower the heat immediately and whisk vigorously until smooth again. Adding a small amount of cold cream while whisking can help restore the emulsion.
The recipe's own notes say to store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
The recipe's own notes suggest chili flakes for a spicy kick, and serving over rice or pasta.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use frozen broccoli in this Creamy Chicken with Sweetcorn and Broccoli recipe?
Absolutely! Just thaw it first and drain well to prevent excess water from thinning your sauce. Add it during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking.
What’s the best chicken cut to use?
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs provide the most flavor and tenderness, but chicken breasts work well too if you prefer leaner meat.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute coconut cream for heavy cream and use your favorite plant-based cheese. The flavor profile will change slightly but remain delicious.
How can I add more vegetables?
Bell peppers, peas, or spinach work beautifully in this recipe. Add hearty vegetables earlier and delicate ones in the last few minutes.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! It reheats beautifully and actually develops more flavor overnight. Store in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Save this recipe for later
Keep this recipe handy when you are planning another chicken dinner.
Save on Pinterest
