Delicious One-Pan: Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Skillet – Quick & Easy Dinner!

Let’s be real, who has time for complicated dinners during the week? Between work, life, and trying to remember if you watered the plants, getting a decent meal on the table can feel like a monumental task. If you’re nodding along, then this Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Skillet is about to become your new best friend. It’s one of those easy hearty meals comfort foods that tastes like it took hours but actually comes together in about 30 minutes. Seriously.

I stumbled upon the magic of one-pan meals out of sheer desperation one night, staring into the abyss of my fridge. Now? I’m a full-blown skillet evangelist. This particular recipe is the hero of my chaotic weeknights. It’s savory, it’s creamy, it’s packed with protein and veggies, and—the best part—it leaves you with minimal cleanup. What’s not to love?

Why This Skillet Recipe is a Game-Changer

Ever find a recipe that’s so good and so easy you almost want to keep it a secret? This is one of those. It’s the perfect answer to the dreaded “what’s for dinner?” question.

The Ultimate Answer to Quick Meals Under 20 Dollars

We’re all feeling the pinch these days, and finding meals that are both delicious and budget-friendly is a huge win. This skillet dinner relies on staple ingredients like chicken, broccoli, and a few things you probably already have in your pantry. It’s proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to eat well.

One Pan to Rule Them All

I’m not exaggerating when I say the one-pan aspect is life-changing. Everything—from searing the chicken to creating that luscious garlic sauce—happens in the same skillet. This means less time scrubbing pots and more time… well, doing anything else. It’s the ultimate oven supper idea without even turning on the oven!

Getting Your Ingredients Ready

Think of this as your culinary battle station. Having everything prepped and ready to go makes the cooking process smooth and, dare I say, enjoyable.

• Chicken: You’ll need about 1 to 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Chicken thighs work great too if you prefer darker meat; they bring a ton of flavor.
• Broccoli: One medium head of broccoli, chopped into bite-sized florets, is perfect. Fresh is fantastic, but frozen works in a pinch.
• Garlic: Don’t be shy here. We’re talking 4-5 cloves, minced. This is a “garlic” skillet, after all. IMO, there’s no such thing as too much garlic.
• Creamy Sauce Components: This is where the magic happens. You’ll need:
  • Butter and Olive Oil
  • Chicken Broth
  • Heavy Cream or a lighter alternative like half-and-half or evaporated milk.
  • Parmesan Cheese
  • A little flour or cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
• Seasonings: Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and maybe a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick.

Let’s Cook: The Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to make some magic? Grab your favorite large skillet, and let’s get this show on the road.

Step 1: Cook the Chicken to Golden Perfection

First things first, season your chicken generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook it for about 5-7 minutes per side, until it’s golden brown and cooked through.

Once it’s beautifully browned, remove it from the skillet and set it aside. Don’t worry about those little brown bits left in the pan; that’s flavor, my friend. We’ll get to that later.

Step 2: Build That Luscious Garlic Sauce

Now, for the heart of the dish. In the same skillet, melt a couple of tablespoons of butter. Add your minced garlic and cook for about a minute until it’s fragrant—your kitchen is about to smell amazing. Whisk in a bit of flour and let it cook for another minute.

Slowly pour in the chicken broth, scraping up all those tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Whisk in the heavy cream and let the sauce simmer until it starts to thicken. This is a crucial moment; you’re creating a sauce that will coat every single bite.

Step 3: Add the Broccoli and Bring It All Together

Toss your broccoli florets into the simmering sauce. Let them cook for about 5-8 minutes, or until they’re tender-crisp. You want them to have a little bite, not turn to mush.

Now, stir in the Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce is gloriously creamy. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning that incredible sauce over everything. Let it all heat through for a couple of minutes. Garnish with some fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy.

Let’s Talk Variations, Shall We?

One of the best things about a recipe like this is how easy it is to adapt. Think of it as a template for deliciousness.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Broccoli Orzo Skillet

Want to make this an even heartier meal? Turn it into a Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Broccoli Orzo Skillet. Cook some orzo pasta according to the package directions. In the last few minutes of cooking, toss in the broccoli florets to cook them alongside the pasta. Then, simply stir the cooked orzo and broccoli into the creamy garlic sauce with the chicken. It’s a complete one-pan meal that’s ridiculously satisfying.

Genius Ideas for Leftover Chicken

Got leftover chicken? This recipe is one of the best meals to make with leftover chicken. Just shred or dice your cooked chicken and skip the first cooking step. Make the sauce, cook the broccoli, and then add the chicken at the end to heat it through. It’s a brilliant way to give leftovers a new lease on life. FYI, this is my go-to move after a Sunday roast.

Other Broccoli Supper Ideas

If you love the chicken and broccoli combo, there are endless ways to enjoy it.

• Stir-fry: A quick chicken and broccoli stir-fry with a soy-ginger sauce is always a winner.
• Casserole: Combine everything with some cooked rice or pasta, top with cheese, and bake for a comforting casserole.
• Sheet Pan Dinner: Toss chicken and broccoli with olive oil and seasonings and roast on a sheet pan for an easy oven supper idea.

Serving and Storing Your Masterpiece

This Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Skillet is fantastic on its own for a low-carb meal. But if you want to stretch it further, it’s amazing served over:

• Rice (white or brown)
• Pasta
• Mashed potatoes
• Quinoa

Leftovers? They’re amazing. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce might thicken a bit, but you can add a splash of milk or broth when reheating on the stove or in the microwave to bring it back to its creamy glory.

So there you have it. A dinner that’s quick, easy, budget-friendly, and tastes like a hug in a bowl. It’s the kind of easy hearty meals comfort foods that will make you feel like a kitchen superstar, even on the busiest of nights. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe rotation. You can thank me later.

Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Skillet

A one-pan wonder featuring juicy chicken, tender broccoli, and a luscious garlic cream sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this comforting skillet dinner is perfect for busy weeknights!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 430

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt divided, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup chicken broth low sodium
• 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for a lighter version
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or dried basil and oregano mix
• 3 cups broccoli florets fresh or frozen (if frozen, thaw and drain well)
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Method

 

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with half the salt and pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 5–7 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Add the remaining olive oil and butter to the skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
3. Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and remaining salt and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce begins to thicken.
4. Add broccoli florets to the skillet. Cover and steam in the sauce for 3–4 minutes, until tender and bright green.
5. Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Stir to coat in the creamy garlic sauce and cook for another 2 minutes until everything is heated through.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Notes

Serve this creamy garlic chicken and broccoli over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes to soak up the sauce. For a dairy-free version, replace heavy cream with coconut cream and omit Parmesan. You can add red pepper flakes for a subtle heat or mushrooms for extra flavor.