Creamy Chicken Broccoli Recipe: A Family-Favorite Comfort Dish
Comfort meets convenience in this mouthwatering creamy chicken broccoli recipe that promises to satisfy every hungry palate.
Weeknight dinners just got a delicious upgrade with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Rich, velvety sauce coats tender chicken and vibrant broccoli florets in a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
Each forkful delivers a perfect balance of protein and greens, making this dish both nutritious and indulgent.
The secret lies in the simple yet sophisticated combination of ingredients that come together effortlessly.
Home cooks of all skill levels can master this crowd-pleasing meal in under 30 minutes.
Prepare to fall in love with a dinner that will become a staple in your recipe collection.
Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Comforting Features
Ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Broccoli
Main Protein:Vegetable:Sauce and Seasoning Components:Steps for Creamy Chicken Broccoli Dish
Step 1: Prep the Poultry
Grab your chicken and sprinkle it generously with Italian seasoning, creating a flavorful coating.
Massage the salt and pepper into every nook and cranny of the meat to ensure maximum taste.
Step 2: Sizzle and Brown
Grab a large skillet and warm up some oil over medium-high heat.
Carefully place the seasoned chicken into the pan, letting it dance and sear until it develops a gorgeous golden-brown exterior.
This should take about 6-7 minutes on each side.
Once perfectly cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
Step 3: Craft the Creamy Base
In a separate bowl, whisk together almond milk and flour until you create a silky-smooth mixture with no lumps.
In the same skillet, add a touch more oil and toss in minced garlic.
Let it sizzle and become fragrant for about a minute.
Pour in your milk mixture and stir continuously until the sauce transforms and thickens beautifully.
Step 4: Bring in the Greens
Introduce fresh broccoli florets into the creamy sauce.
Let them simmer and soften, absorbing all the delicious flavors for 6-8 minutes until they’re tender but still vibrant green.
Step 5: Final Flourish
Reunite the golden chicken with the creamy broccoli sauce, allowing everything to heat through and mingle.
Sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley and squeeze a bright burst of lemon over the top for a zesty finish.
Serve immediately and enjoy your culinary creation!
Tips for Creamy Chicken and Broccoli
Flavorful Twists for Chicken and Broccoli
Serving Creamy Chicken and Broccoli
Storage for Chicken and Broccoli Dish
FAQs
Yes, you can substitute almond milk with regular milk, heavy cream, or even coconut milk for a different flavor profile.
To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour like rice flour or cornstarch instead of regular flour when thickening the sauce.
Create your own blend using dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, or use a premade herb mix that’s similar to Italian seasoning.
Absolutely! Just drain excess water from thawed frozen broccoli before adding it to the sauce to prevent the sauce from becoming too thin.
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Creamy Chicken Broccoli Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Comfort meets elegance in this creamy chicken broccoli recipe, blending wholesome ingredients with rich, velvety sauce. Hearty chicken and crisp broccoli unite in a classic dish that promises warmth and satisfaction for home cooks seeking delicious simplicity.
Ingredients
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless chicken breasts
Vegetables:
- 1 medium broccoli head, chopped (3 cups)
- 4–5 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon gluten-free flour
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil, divided
- 1 1/2 cups (355 milliliters) almond milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with a blend of Italian herbs, ensuring even seasoning on all exterior surfaces.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Sear chicken until achieving a rich golden-brown coloration, approximately 6-7 minutes per side. Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate and loosely tent with foil.
- Create a smooth, lump-free mixture by whisking almond milk with flour until completely integrated. In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for one minute to release aromatic flavors.
- Pour milk and flour blend into the pan, stirring consistently until sauce reaches a creamy, thickened consistency.
- Introduce broccoli florets directly into the developing sauce, allowing them to simmer and become tender, roughly 6-8 minutes.
- Gently reintroduce chicken into the skillet, allowing it to warm through and absorb surrounding sauce flavors.
- Elevate the dish’s presentation by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley and squeezing fresh lemon juice over the final preparation, adding brightness and herbal notes.
Notes
- Ensure Even Cooking Pound chicken breasts to uniform thickness before seasoning to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation Swap almond milk with coconut milk or vegetable broth for those avoiding dairy, maintaining the creamy sauce texture.
- Low-Carb Option Replace flour with cornstarch or xanthan gum to thicken sauce, reducing overall carbohydrate content while preserving rich, velvety consistency.
- Fresh Herb Enhancement Experiment with fresh thyme or basil instead of parsley to introduce additional layers of aromatic flavor and elevate the dish’s complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Lena Martinez
Contributing Writer & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Southwestern and Latin American cuisines, Vegetarian and plant-based recipe development, Culinary education and community outreach
Education
Santa Fe Community College, Santa Fe, NM
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Emphasized Southwestern cuisine and sustainable cooking practices
Lena grew up surrounded by the colors, spices, and traditions of the Southwest – flavors that sparked her love for bold, honest cooking. After earning her Culinary Arts certificate at Santa Fe Community College, she made it her mission to teach home cooks how to create flavorful, plant-powered meals without the fuss.
Her recipes are packed with vibrant ingredients, simple steps, and the kind of heart that turns a regular meal into something you’ll want to share. Outside the kitchen, Lena spends her time wandering farmers’ markets, trading family recipes, and helping young chefs find their voice through food.