Homestyle Creamy Garlic Chicken Broccoli Skillet (Print Version)

Whip up a satisfying Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Skillet in one pan! Quick, flavorful, and a weeknight lifesaver. Get my personal tips and tricks.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free (use GF broth)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Skillet Stars

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 4 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 1 large head)

→ Flavor Foundation

03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 4-5 cloves garlic, minced (or more, I always add more!)
05 - 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
06 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Creamy Sauce Essentials

07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
08 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Finishing Touches

09 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
10 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get that chicken ready. I cut my boneless, skinless chicken breasts into about 1-inch pieces – not too big, not too small. Then, I give them a good pat dry with paper towels; this is a tiny step but honestly, it makes a huge difference for a proper sear. Season them generously with salt and black pepper. Don't be shy here; this is where a lot of the flavor starts for our Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Skillet. I always make sure the pieces are roughly the same size so they cook evenly, avoiding those frustratingly undercooked or overcooked bits.
02 - Heat a large skillet, preferably cast iron if you have one, over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once shimmering, add the chicken in a single layer. Don't overcrowd the pan, hon, or you'll steam the chicken instead of searing it – a mistake I’ve made too many times! Let it cook, undisturbed, for about 3-4 minutes until it's beautifully golden brown on one side. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until golden on the other side and mostly cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate; it’ll finish cooking in the sauce. This step builds flavor, and oh, the smell of that browning chicken is just delightful!
03 - Reduce the heat to medium. Add another splash of olive oil if the pan looks dry. Toss in the diced yellow onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until it softens and turns translucent. Then, add all that glorious minced garlic. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant. Be super careful here not to burn the garlic; it can go from fragrant to bitter in seconds, and trust me, I've had that kitchen disaster! The kitchen starts to smell absolutely incredible at this point, a promise of the deliciousness to come for our Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Skillet.
04 - Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet – that's called deglazing, and it adds so much flavor to the sauce. Let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly. Then, stir in the heavy cream. Bring it to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce starts to thicken slightly. It's becoming this gorgeous, velvety base for our Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Skillet, and honestly, I could just eat it with a spoon.
05 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the fresh broccoli florets. Give everything a good stir to coat the chicken and broccoli in that luscious creamy garlic sauce. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender-crisp. You don't want mushy broccoli, so keep an eye on it! I always check a floret with a fork to make sure it's just right – a little bite to it is perfect. This is where the dish really comes together, smelling so good!
06 - Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it's completely melted and incorporated into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Sometimes I add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a tiny kick, but that's just me! Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately, perhaps with some crusty bread to sop up all that amazing creamy garlic sauce. The final dish should be rich, tender, and just begging to be devoured. Enjoy your Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Skillet!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd the pan, honestly, it's the biggest mistake I make.
02 - This skillet reheats surprisingly well, but add a splash of milk to loosen the sauce.
03 - No chicken broth? Veggie broth works just fine, I've tried it!
04 - Serve with crusty bread to soak up all that incredible creamy garlic sauce.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large skillet (cast iron preferred)
02 - cutting board
03 - knife
04 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 550 Calories
Total Fat: 35g
Total Carbohydrate: 12g
Protein: 45g

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