Creamy Chicken & Broccoli One-Pan (Cheesy & Family-Favorite!)

Introduction

Few dishes offer the same comforting flavor and simplicity as a Creamy Chicken & Broccoli One-Pan dinner. Rich, cheesy sauce envelopes tender chicken and crisp broccoli, coming together in a single skillet for less prep and easy cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want to serve a wholesome, crowd-pleasing meal that satisfies both adults and kids alike.

Why This Creamy Chicken & Broccoli One-Pan Dish Stands Out

This recipe brings big flavor with minimal effort—just one pan, a handful of everyday ingredients, and less than an hour from prep to table. The blend of velvety cheese sauce, seasoned chicken, and perfectly cooked broccoli is irresistibly creamy and warm, making it a reliable favorite that always disappears fast at the dinner table.

How to Achieve the Perfect Creamy, Cheesy Sauce

The magic is in building a luscious cheese sauce right in the pan. A sprinkle of flour ensures the sauce thickens, and a blend of cream, milk, and melted cheese creates that signature, rich finish. For maximum flavor, choose a sharp cheese and layer-in a little garlic and onion for savory depth. This technique means each bite of chicken and broccoli is enveloped in irresistible creamy goodness.

Finishing Touches for a Family-Favorite Meal

Once all the components are cooked through, allow the dish to rest for a few minutes before serving; this lets the sauce thicken slightly and helps all the flavors meld together. Finish with extra cheese on top and a scattering of fresh parsley for a vibrant look. This meal is delicious as-is or served over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread on the side to soak up every last bit of the cheesy sauce.

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Chicken & Broccoli One-Pan

Pair this entree with a simple green salad or roasted potatoes for a complete dinner. For a fun twist, toss in a handful of cooked pasta before serving, or spoon the mixture over baked potatoes for a hearty upgrade. This versatile one-pan wonder easily scales up or down based on your family size and can be reheated for next-day lunches.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 generous servings. Each serving typically contains around 420–480 calories, depending on your cheese and cream choices. It’s filling, balanced, and designed to fuel the whole family with protein and veggies.

Creamy Chicken & Broccoli One-Pan (Recap)

A single skillet, a rich cheesy sauce, and classic chicken and broccoli—this is comfort food made simple, yet spectacular. With balanced texture, rich flavor, and universal family appeal, it’s no wonder this one-pan meal is a go-to for weeknight dinners.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list sorted by store section—making your grocery run quick and stress-free, and streamlining your weekly meal planning.

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through (about 5–6 minutes). Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
2. Keep the pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes, until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and garlic, stirring continuously for about 1 minute to form a roux.
4. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, letting the mixture bubble and thicken, then add the milk and cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Stir in the cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until fully melted and the sauce is creamy and smooth.
6. Add the broccoli florets to the pan. Cover and let simmer for 3–4 minutes until just tender (a bit longer if using frozen broccoli).
7. Return the cooked chicken to the pan, tossing everything together to coat in the creamy cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
8. Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Weekly Meal Planning

This creamy, cheesy chicken & broccoli recipe is ideal for meal prepping and keeping weeknights stress-free. Save and schedule this recipe to your weekly meal plan and instantly generate organized shopping lists that combine ingredients from all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automates ingredient calculations when planning multiple recipes
• Sorts your grocery list by aisle for fast, efficient shopping
• Prevents double-buying and forgotten ingredients
• Makes weekly prep smoother and reduces mealtime stress

Pro tip: If this recipe calls for milk and you’re planning another breakfast recipe this week, scheduling both in CookifyAI will combine quantities and add only the total milk you need to your list—no more overbuying or waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Enjoy cheesy, creamy goodness with every bite—your family will ask for this one-pan meal on repeat!