Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Skillet

Introduction

Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Skillet brings together juicy, golden-brown chicken and vibrant broccoli florets, all simmered in a luscious, garlicky cream sauce. With just one skillet, you can create a restaurant-quality meal that’s both comforting and satisfying. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you need a stress-free crowd pleaser, this recipe is sure to earn rave reviews for its bold flavors and effortless preparation.

Why You’ll Love Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Skillet

This dish stands out for its rich, velvety sauce—imparted by heavy cream and a generous measure of freshly minced garlic. The combination of tender chicken and crisp-tender broccoli soaked in savory cream sauce delivers a hearty, flavorful meal, while the one-skillet method means fewer dishes and quick cleanup. It’s a fantastic way to satisfy cravings for something both indulgent and wholesome.

Mastering the Creamy Garlic Sauce

The backbone of this recipe is in the sauce. Start by sautéing fresh garlic in a bit of melted butter—this unlocks aromatic flavors that permeate the dish. Incorporate heavy cream, a touch of chicken broth, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese for extra depth. Simmer until slightly thickened, allowing the sauce to cling beautifully to both the chicken and broccoli. A pinch of Italian seasoning further enriches the flavor profile.

Assembling Your Skillet Meal

First, sear chicken until golden and just cooked through, locking in its juices. Remove the chicken, then sauté the garlic until fragrant. Stir in the creamy sauce base, then nestle the chicken back into the skillet alongside fresh broccoli. Cover briefly to let the broccoli steam until bright green and tender-crisp, then finish uncovered so the sauce thickens to perfection.

Serving Ideas for a Creamy, Satisfying Meal

Serve this Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Skillet over a bed of cooked rice, fluffy mashed potatoes, or al dente pasta to soak up every drop of sauce. For an extra pop of color and freshness, sprinkle with chopped parsley or a squeeze of lemon. Pair with a crisp salad or roasted veggies for a balanced dinner everyone will enjoy.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about 4 hearty servings. Each portion contains approximately 400–500 calories, depending on the sides and extra garnishes. It’s a satisfying, protein-rich dish filled with vitamins from fresh broccoli—a nourishing choice for any meal plan.

Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Skillet (Recap)

With its decadent sauce, tender chicken, and vibrant broccoli, this one-pan meal is a balance of comfort and convenience. Whether you’re planning a family dinner or meal prepping lunches, Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Skillet is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 6–7 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
3. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking to combine and scraping up any brown bits from the pan. Stir in Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, until slightly thickened.
4. Add broccoli florets to the skillet and nestle the chicken back in. Cover and cook for 3–4 minutes, until broccoli is just tender but still bright green.
5. Remove cover and cook another 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon, if desired. Serve hot, with pasta, rice, or your favorite side.

Weekly Meal Planning

This skillet meal is perfect for prepping ahead and scheduling into your weekly dinner rotation. Save and schedule this recipe to your CookifyAI meal planner to easily generate and customize shopping lists that consolidate all the ingredients for your week’s meals.

Planning Benefits:

– Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across multiple recipes
– Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections
– Prevents duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
– Streamlines weekly meal prep and keeps you organized

Pro tip: When you’re planning several meals, schedule all recipes together to see how staple ingredients overlap, making it easy to shop smarter and reduce waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes