Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with a dish that’s both incredibly satisfying and wonderfully healthy.

Creamy Garlic Chicken with Roasted Broccoli (Healthy & Low Carb) 16

This creamy garlic chicken with roasted broccoli recipe is a true game-changer, proving that low-carb meals can be bursting with flavor and incredibly easy to prepare. It’s the perfect solution for those evenings when you crave something special but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

Imagine tender, juicy chicken enveloped in a rich, velvety garlic cream sauce, perfectly complemented by crisp-tender roasted broccoli. This chicken bowl recipe is designed for maximum taste with minimal fuss, making it an ideal choice for busy families or anyone looking to enjoy a delicious, wholesome meal without compromise. Let’s dive into how you can bring this fantastic dish to your table.

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This creamy garlic chicken and roasted broccoli dish is a standout for so many reasons, making it a staple in many households. First and foremost, it’s incredibly flavorful. The garlic cream sauce is the star, coating every piece of chicken with a luxurious, savory taste that’s hard to resist. It’s rich without being heavy, and the garlic notes are perfectly balanced. Secondly, it’s a healthy and low-carb option, which is a huge win for anyone watching their carbohydrate intake or simply looking for more nutritious meal ideas. You get all the comfort food vibes without the guilt.

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights because it comes together quickly, but it also feels elevated enough for a special occasion or a relaxed weekend dinner. It’s designed for home cooks of all skill levels – from beginners who are just starting their culinary journey to experienced cooks looking for a reliable, delicious meal. The ingredients are readily available, and the steps are straightforward, ensuring a stress-free cooking experience. It’s also a fantastic way to get more vegetables into your diet, especially for those who might be hesitant about broccoli; roasting it brings out its natural sweetness and gives it a delightful texture that pairs beautifully with the creamy chicken.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients before you start cooking is a fundamental step that helps ensure a smooth and enjoyable process. For this creamy garlic chicken, you’ll find that most items are likely already in your pantry or easily accessible at any grocery store. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the way a few key ingredients come together to create something truly delicious.

INGREDIENTS:

1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

When it comes to substitutions, this recipe offers some flexibility. If you don’t have chicken breasts, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully and often stay even more moist. For the broccoli, while fresh is best for roasting, frozen broccoli florets can be used in a pinch; just make sure to thaw and pat them very dry before roasting to achieve that crispy texture. If you’re out of heavy cream, half-and-half can be used for a slightly lighter sauce, though it won’t be quite as rich. For a dairy-free option, coconut cream can be a good substitute for heavy cream, but it will impart a subtle coconut flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic to your preference – if you’re a garlic lover, add an extra clove or two! Parmesan cheese is crucial for the sauce’s flavor, but a blend of Italian cheeses could also work.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

One of the most appealing aspects of this creamy garlic chicken and roasted broccoli recipe is how quickly it comes together, making it ideal for busy schedules.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20-25 minutes
Total time: 35-40 minutes

This timeline includes the time it takes to chop the chicken and broccoli, season everything, and then cook both components simultaneously or in quick succession. The roasting of the broccoli and the pan-frying of the chicken and sauce can often be done in parallel, significantly reducing the overall time spent in the kitchen.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this flavorful creamy garlic chicken with roasted broccoli is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for a delicious and satisfying meal.

Prepare the Broccoli for Roasting: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On a large baking sheet, toss the broccoli florets with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread them in a single layer. This ensures even roasting and browning.

Roast the Broccoli: Place the baking sheet with the seasoned broccoli in the preheated oven. Roast for 15-20 minutes, or until the florets are tender-crisp and slightly charred at the edges. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.

Season the Chicken: While the broccoli roasts, cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Ensure each piece is well coated.

Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside, leaving any drippings in the pan.

Build the Creamy Garlic Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet and let it melt. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently.

Finish the Sauce and Combine: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and the sauce thickens slightly. Season the sauce with additional salt and pepper if needed. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.

Serve It Up: Once the roasted broccoli is ready, you can either stir it directly into the creamy chicken mixture or serve it alongside. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This creamy garlic chicken and roasted broccoli recipe is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt to different tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can serve the chicken and broccoli separately, allowing children to dip the chicken in the creamy sauce and enjoy the roasted broccoli on its own. You might also consider adding a touch of honey or maple syrup to the broccoli before roasting for a slightly sweeter, more appealing flavor for younger palates.

To vary the dish, consider adding other vegetables to the roasting pan alongside the broccoli, such as sliced bell peppers, zucchini, or asparagus. For an extra layer of flavor and a pop of color, sun-dried tomatoes or a handful of fresh spinach can be stirred into the cream sauce at the very end. If you want a bit of a kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce would be delicious.

While this dish is fantastic on its own as a low-carb meal, you can easily serve it with a side to make it more filling for those who aren’t strictly low-carb. It pairs wonderfully with a simple side of quinoa, brown rice, or even pasta. For a heartier low-carb option, serve it over cauliflower rice or alongside a fresh green salad. This dish is also great for meal prepping; simply divide into individual containers for quick lunches or dinners throughout the week. A sprinkle of toasted slivered almonds or a dash of fresh lemon zest just before serving can add a delightful textural contrast and brightness.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls, but knowing what to look out for can help you achieve perfect results every time.

One frequent mistake is overcooking the chicken. Chicken breasts, especially when cut into smaller pieces, cook very quickly. Overcooked chicken becomes dry and tough. To avoid this, cook the chicken just until it’s golden brown on the outside and no longer pink in the center, then remove it from the pan. It will finish cooking slightly when returned to the hot sauce.

Another common issue is soggy broccoli. This usually happens when the broccoli is overcrowded on the baking sheet or roasted at too low a temperature. To get that desired tender-crisp texture with slightly charred edges, make sure your oven is fully preheated to 400°F (200°C) and spread the florets in a single layer with plenty of space between them. If your baking sheet isn’t large enough,

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.

Creamy Garlic Chicken with Roasted Broccoli (Healthy & Low Carb)

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