Description
Garlic butter chicken with zucchini and corn brings summer’s freshest flavors right to your dinner table, letting you savor a simple yet delicious meal that comes together faster than your favorite weeknight playlist. Crispy chicken nestled alongside sweet corn and tender zucchini makes this dish a total crowd-pleaser that sparks smiles around your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- black pepper
Vegetables:
- 2 zucchini
- 1.5 cups corn kernels
- 5 cloves garlic
Liquids and Fats:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
Additional Garnish:
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Warm a large cast-iron skillet to medium heat for 1 minute. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil and add sliced zucchini. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Cook zucchini for 3 minutes, flipping once midway. Transfer cooked zucchini to a separate plate.
- Slice 1 pound chicken breasts into thin strips. Dust with ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and fresh black pepper.
- Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil in the same skillet. Arrange chicken strips in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 4 minutes.
- Flip chicken strips, sprinkle 5 minced garlic cloves, and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Splash 2 tablespoons lime juice and add 2 tablespoons butter. Stir frequently for 2 minutes until chicken is thoroughly cooked.
- Return zucchini and add 1.5 cups corn kernels to the skillet with chicken.
- Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter on low heat, stirring quickly to coat everything evenly.
- Remove from heat. Mix in half the chopped cilantro. Adjust seasoning with extra salt, paprika, or lime juice if needed.
- Garnish with remaining cilantro and optional chili powder sprinkle before serving.
Notes
- Always slice zucchini uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Season chicken generously with spices, allowing each strip to develop a rich, flavorful crust during cooking.
- Use a cast-iron skillet to create better caramelization and deeper flavor development for the chicken and vegetables.
- For a low-carb version, substitute corn with bell peppers or cauliflower to maintain the dish’s vibrant profile while reducing carbohydrates.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 335 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg