Amazing Chicken Broccoli Skillet in 30 Mins

Okay, let’s talk about the weeknight dinner hero: the Chicken Broccoli Skillet! Seriously, when I’m wiped out after a long day but still want something tasty and good for me, this is what I whip up. It’s honestly one of my absolute favorites because it’s so ridiculously easy and everything cooks up right there in *one* pan. No piles of dishes, thank goodness! I remember the first time I threw this together, I was aiming for something quick and thought, ‘What can I toss in together?’ Chicken and broccoli are such a classic combo, and adding that creamy, savory sauce? Boom. Dinner magic. It’s become my go-to for busy nights, and trust me, your family will love it too!

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Broccoli Skillet

Seriously, what’s not to love? This recipe is a total lifesaver.

• Crazy Quick: We’re talking 30 minutes start to finish. Perfect for those nights when time is scarce.
• One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in a single skillet. Less to wash up means more time for yourself!
• Seriously Flavorful: The creamy, savory sauce coats everything beautifully. It’s way more exciting than plain chicken and broccoli.
• Super Versatile: You can totally switch things up with different veggies or spices. It’s a great base for whatever you have on hand!
• Healthy & Satisfying: Packed with lean protein and good-for-you veggies, it’s a meal you can feel great about.

Ingredients for Your Chicken Broccoli Skillet

Okay, let’s get our mise en place ready! The great thing about this Chicken Broccoli Skillet is that it uses pretty common stuff you probably already have in your pantry or fridge. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Broccoli:

• 4 cups broccoli florets (that’s about one medium head, chopped up!)
• 2 tbsp water

For the Amazing Sauce:

• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup heavy cream (for that lovely richness!)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce (makes it nice and savory)
• 1 tsp cornstarch (this is our thickening magic!)
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, but I love a little kick!)

See? Nothing too crazy! Having everything prepped makes cooking this Chicken Broccoli Skillet a breeze.

Essential Equipment for Making Chicken Broccoli Skillet

You don’t need a whole lot of fancy gadgets for this recipe, thankfully! The star here is really your trusty large skillet. I prefer one that’s about 10-12 inches across to give everything enough room to cook without crowding. You’ll also want a good cutting board and a sharp knife for prepping your chicken and broccoli. That’s pretty much it – simple tools for a simple, delicious meal!

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Chicken Broccoli Skillet

Alright, let’s get cooking! This Chicken Broccoli Skillet recipe is honestly so straightforward, you’ll be amazed you made it yourself. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a delicious, healthy dinner on the table in no time. Remember, having all your ingredients prepped before you start makes everything go *so* much smoother!

Searing the Chicken for the Chicken Broccoli Skillet

First things first, let’s get that chicken perfect. Heat up the olive oil in your big skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmery, toss in your chicken pieces. Make sure they’re seasoned with that garlic powder, salt, and pepper we talked about! Let them cook, stirring occasionally, until they’re nicely browned and cooked all the way through. That usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes, depending on your stove. This is what gives our Chicken Broccoli Skillet its amazing base flavor.

Adding Broccoli and Steaming

Now, it’s time for the green goodness! Throw your beautiful broccoli florets right into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Add the 2 tablespoons of water – that’s our secret to getting them perfectly tender-crisp without overcooking. Cover the skillet right away. Let it steam for about 3 to 5 minutes. You want the broccoli to be bright green and tender, but still have a nice little bite to it. Nobody likes mushy broccoli, right?

Crafting the Flavorful Sauce

While the broccoli is steaming away, quickly whip up your sauce. Grab a small bowl and whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, soy sauce, and that little teaspoon of cornstarch. The cornstarch is key for thickening, so make sure it’s fully blended in with no lumps. If you’re feeling a bit spicy, now’s the time to toss in those optional red pepper flakes!

Combining and Thickening the Chicken Broccoli Skillet

Okay, last step! Pour that dreamy sauce mixture all over the chicken and broccoli in the skillet. Give everything a good stir to coat. Let it bubble and simmer for just another minute or two. You’ll see the sauce magically thicken up, creating this gorgeous, glossy coating for all the ingredients. This really pulls the whole Chicken Broccoli Skillet together into one delicious dish!

Tips for a Perfect Chicken Broccoli Skillet

Alright, so you’ve got the recipe, but let me give you a few little nudges to make your Chicken Broccoli Skillet absolutely perfect every single time. Trust me, these little things make a big difference! Think of them as my little secrets for making sure this Chicken Broccoli Skillet is a total winner.

Don’t Crowd the Pan: Seriously, this is huge. When you’re searing the chicken, make sure the pieces have their own space in the skillet. If you dump it all in at once, especially if you have a smaller pan, the chicken will steam instead of getting that lovely golden-brown sear. That sear is where all the flavor happens, so give it room to breathe!

Broccoli Power: For the best texture, aim for broccoli florets that are roughly the same size. This way, they steam evenly. You want that tender-crisp bite, not mushy green stuff. Oh, and if you’re not a fan of broccoli stems, don’t toss them! Peel the tough outer layer and dice the inside – they’re delicious too and get nice and tender.

Sauce Smoothness is Key: When you’re whisking up that sauce, make sure that cornstarch is fully dissolved. A few sneaky lumps of cornstarch can leave you with a weirdly textured sauce. Give it a good whisk, and if you’re worried, you can even strain it through a fine-mesh sieve before pouring it into the skillet. Nobody’s judging!

Taste and Adjust: Before you pour that sauce into the skillet, give it a little taste! Need more savory depth? A tiny splash more soy sauce. Want a bit more kick? Toss in extra red pepper flakes. This is your Chicken Broccoli Skillet, so make it taste exactly how you like it!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Skillet

Let’s chat about some of the ingredients in this yummy Chicken Broccoli Skillet! Sometimes you might be missing something, or maybe you just want to tweak it a bit. That’s totally fine! This recipe is pretty forgiving.

The heavy cream in the sauce? If you’re out or want something a little lighter, you can absolutely use half-and-half or even whole milk. Just be aware it might not get quite as rich and creamy, and might not thicken up quite as much. For a dairy-free option, a good canned full-fat coconut milk works wonders – just give it a good shake first! That canned coconut milk is also a great sub if you’re eyeing recipes like this Chicken Sausage Broccoli Orzo.

For the chicken broth, veggie broth is a perfectly fine swap if that’s what you have handy. It’ll give a slightly different flavor, but still delicious! And if you’re out of soy sauce, tamari is a fantastic gluten-free alternative that works just as well. Just a little note: always taste your sauce before it thickens up too much; sometimes different broths or soy sauces can vary in saltiness.

Serving Suggestions for Chicken Broccoli Skillet

So, you’ve got this gorgeous Chicken Broccoli Skillet ready to go, but what should you serve with it to make it a full meal? I’ve got a few ideas that are just *chef’s kiss* perfect with it. Since this skillet is already packed with protein and veggies, a great starch is usually the way to go.

A classic choice is fluffy white or brown rice – it’s perfect for soaking up all that delicious sauce. If you’re feeling something a little more adventurous, consider serving it over some creamy pasta, like an easy chicken and pasta dish. Or, for an equally no-fuss option, try serving it alongside a simple chicken and rice! Honestly, this Chicken Broccoli Skillet is so good, it stands up beautifully on its own too, so don’t feel like you *have* to add anything!

Storage and Reheating Your Chicken Broccoli Skillet

This Chicken Broccoli Skillet is so good, you’ll probably want leftovers! Storing and reheating it is super simple. Once it’s cooled down a bit, just pop any leftovers into an airtight container and tuck it into the fridge. It’ll stay good for about 3-4 days.

When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheating is easy peasy. For the best results, I like to gently warm it up in a skillet over low heat, adding just a tiny splash of water or broth if it looks a little dry. You can also pop it in the microwave for a minute or two until it’s heated through. Just be gentle; we don’t want to overcook that chicken or make the broccoli mushy!

Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Broccoli Skillet

Got questions about making the perfect Chicken Broccoli Skillet? I’ve got you covered! Here are a few things people often ask:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a fantastic alternative. Since they have a bit more fat, they stay super moist and tender, which is great. Just make sure to cut them into similar-sized pieces and cook them until they’re done, which might take a minute or two longer than breasts. They add such a lovely richness to the Chicken Broccoli Skillet!

How can I make this Chicken Broccoli Skillet spicier?

Easy peasy! If you like it hot, I suggest adding more red pepper flakes. You can add them when you season the chicken, or stir a pinch more into the sauce. You could also add a bit of sriracha or a dash of hot sauce to your individual serving. Get creative and make this Chicken Broccoli Skillet blaze!

Is this recipe low-carb or keto-friendly?

This version, with the heavy cream and cornstarch, isn’t strictly low-carb or keto. The cornstarch especially adds carbs. For a low-carb or keto twist, you can swap the cornstarch for a bit of xanthan gum (start with just 1/4 tsp and whisk well!) and use a low-carb milk alternative or simply more broth for a thinner sauce, or even skip the thickening agent altogether. It’s still delicious!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Now, I always like to add a little disclaimer here, because nutritional info can really wiggle around depending on the exact brands you use and even how big your chicken pieces were! But, as a general idea, one serving of this amazing Chicken Broccoli Skillet should be somewhere around 400-450 calories. You’re looking at roughly 35-40g of protein, about 20-25g of fat (thanks to that glorious cream!), and maybe 15-20g of carbs, with a good chunk of that coming from the broccoli and the cornstarch.

Share Your Chicken Broccoli Skillet Creations!

Alright, so you’ve made this amazing Chicken Broccoli Skillet, and I bet it’s fantastic! I’d absolutely LOVE to hear all about it. Did you try any fun variations? Did your family gobble it up? Please share your experience, leave a comment below, or give this recipe a star rating! Your feedback genuinely helps me and other home cooks out there. You can also check out more about my kitchen adventures over on my About Me page, or learn more about our community on the About Us page. Happy cooking!