Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Zest of 1/2 lemon (optional)
- Optional: Red pepper flakes, sliced mushrooms or spinach, shredded mozzarella or cream cheese
Instructions
- Pound chicken breasts to even thickness. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Steam or microwave broccoli for 1–2 minutes; set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 30 seconds. Add chicken broth and deglaze the pan.
- Stir in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add Parmesan cheese and mix until melted.
- Add broccoli and return chicken to the pan. Pour in lemon juice and zest.
- Simmer 3–5 minutes more until sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve hot, spooning sauce over chicken.
Notes
- Substitute chicken with shrimp or tofu for a variation.
- Add mushrooms, spinach, or a touch of red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Serve over cauliflower rice for low-carb or mashed potatoes for comfort food vibes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American