Garlic butter chicken broccoli sears chicken pieces, then steams broccoli directly in the same skillet with a splash of water before tossing everything together in butter and lemon juice, ready in about 25 minutes. Steaming the broccoli covered with just a couple tablespoons of water, rather than boiling it separately, keeps the whole dish to one pan while still getting the broccoli properly tender.
Garlic Butter Chicken Broccoli
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 3 tbsp butter (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat 1 tbsp butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken, season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter and add garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds.
- Add broccoli and 2–3 tbsp water. Cover and steam for 3–4 minutes until just tender.
- Return chicken to pan and add remaining 1 tbsp butter. Toss everything together until coated and heated through.
- Squeeze lemon juice over the top, garnish with parsley, and serve hot.
Recipe Notes
- Swap in green beans or asparagus for variety.
- Great over rice, mashed potatoes, or cauliflower rice.
- Make it spicy by increasing red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- 1 bowl
- Calories
- 320
- Sugar
- 2g
- Sodium
- 420mg
- Fat
- 18g
- Saturated Fat
- 8g
- Unsaturated Fat
- 9g
- Trans Fat
- 0g
- Carbohydrates
- 6g
- Fiber
- 2g
- Protein
- 30g
- Cholesterol
- 95mg
Why the broccoli steams in the same pan
- Searing the chicken first and setting it aside before melting more butter and sautéing garlic in the same skillet lets the garlic butter pick up the browned bits the chicken left behind.
- Adding a small amount of water and covering the pan to steam the broccoli, rather than adding it dry, gives it just enough moisture to cook through without diluting the butter sauce.
How to cook the garlic without burning it
- Cover the pan while the broccoli steams, as the instructions specify, so the small amount of water actually generates enough steam to cook it through.
- Toss everything together only at the end, once both components are done, rather than combining them earlier.
Troubleshooting
The broccoli didn't cook through.
Make sure the pan was covered during the steaming step, as the instructions specify, and check that there's enough water in the pan - too little evaporates before the broccoli is tender.
The dish tastes bland.
Don't skip the lemon juice at the end, as the instructions specify, since it's what brightens the butter sauce; taste and adjust salt and pepper too.
The garlic tasted bitter or burnt.
Minced garlic colours in well under a minute in hot butter. Add it after the chicken comes out, keep the heat moderate, and move straight on to the broccoli and water rather than letting it sit in the pan.
Refrigerate promptly and use within 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), stopping as soon as it is hot through so the broccoli does not soften further.
Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or cauliflower rice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use frozen broccoli for Garlic Butter Chicken Broccoli?
Yes, but thaw and pat it dry first. Add it later in the cooking process as it needs less time than fresh broccoli to heat through.
How do I prevent the garlic from burning?
Add garlic after the chicken is nearly cooked, and keep the heat medium-low. Stir constantly for 30-60 seconds until fragrant before proceeding.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Absolutely! Substitute olive oil or a quality plant-based butter. The flavor profile will change slightly but still be delicious.
What’s the best cut of chicken to use?
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs provide the juiciest results, but chicken breasts work well too if sliced to even thickness.
How can I make this a complete meal in one pan?
Add pre-cooked pasta or rice to the pan during the last few minutes of cooking to absorb the garlic butter sauce.
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