Description
This vibrant lemon garlic chicken and broccoli skillet offers a quick, flavorful, and healthy meal, perfect for any weeknight. Juicy chicken and tender-crisp broccoli are cooked together in a bright lemon-garlic sauce. This one-pan wonder minimizes cleanup, delivering a satisfying dinner in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large head broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season them with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Sear for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides and mostly cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the broccoli florets to the same skillet. If the pan seems dry, add another teaspoon of olive oil. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli starts to become tender-crisp and slightly charred.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the broccoli and cook for another 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and cornstarch (if using for a thicker sauce). Pour the mixture into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, stirring to coat with the sauce. Continue to simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the sauce has thickened slightly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove the skillet from the heat, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra flavor and richness, consider using chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- This dish is wonderfully versatile; feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like bell peppers, asparagus, or spinach.
- Serve this skillet meal over rice, quinoa, or with a side of Pickled Red Onions for a complete and balanced dinner.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: lemon garlic chicken, broccoli skillet, one-pan chicken, healthy chicken recipe, quick dinner, weeknight meal, skillet meal, lemon chicken, chicken and vegetables, easy chicken, low carb chicken, family dinner