Garlic Chicken Recipe With Broccoli And Spinach Tossed In
Succulent garlic chicken with broccoli and spinach promises a delightful dining experience that combines wholesome ingredients and robust flavors.
Home cooks seeking a nutritious meal will find this recipe incredibly satisfying and simple to prepare.
Packed with essential nutrients, this dish offers a perfect balance of protein and green vegetables that appeals to health-conscious individuals.
Weeknight dinner solutions rarely come as delicious and straightforward as this crowd-pleasing option.
Minimal preparation meets maximum flavor in a meal that feels both comforting and sophisticated.
Family members and dinner guests alike will appreciate the harmonious blend of savory notes and fresh ingredients.
Your kitchen will soon become the center of culinary excitement with this delectable and nourishing recipe that guarantees smiles around the dinner table.
Why Garlic Chicken With Broccoli And Spinach Feels Balanced
Core Ingredients for Garlic Chicken With Broccoli And Spinach
Proteins:Seasoning Blend:Cooking Fats:Aromatics And Flavor Boosters:Sauce Components:Vegetables:Finishing Touches:Common Prep Tools for Garlic Chicken With Broccoli And Spinach
Steps to Prepare Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Spinach
Season The Chicken
Grab a bowl and sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika over your chicken pieces. Toss everything around so each chicken chunk gets a nice, even coating of seasoning.
Brown The Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet at medium-high heat. Drop your seasoned chicken into the hot pan and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring now and then. Watch for a beautiful golden-brown color and make sure the chicken is completely cooked through. Scoot the chicken onto a separate plate.
Create The Garlic Base
In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Toss in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Let these sizzle for about 30 seconds until the kitchen fills with that amazing garlic aroma.
Cook The Broccoli
Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Saute for 3-4 minutes until the broccoli starts to soften but stays bright green.
Build The Sauce
Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1 tablespoon soy sauce, stirring everything together. In a small bowl, mix:
Stir this mixture into the skillet and let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Finish The Dish
Toss the fresh spinach and cooked chicken back into the skillet. Stir everything around and cook for 2 minutes, letting the spinach wilt and the chicken soak up all those delicious flavors.
Garnish And Serve
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds over the top. Serve this delicious meal hot over rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.
Notes For Best Results With Garlic Chicken With Broccoli And Spinach
Flavorful Options For Garlic Chicken With Broccoli And Spinach
What Pairs Well With Garlic Chicken And Broccoli
Storage Notes For Garlic Chicken With Broccoli And Spinach
Answers To Common Questions About Garlic Chicken With Broccoli And Spinach
What type of chicken works best for this recipe?
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are perfect. They cook quickly and absorb the garlic and spice flavors beautifully.
Can I make this dish spicier?
Absolutely increase the red pepper flakes to boost the heat. For extra kick, add a dash of sriracha or cayenne pepper when seasoning your chicken.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, replace regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Double-check your cornstarch is certified gluten-free.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. When cut, the meat should be white throughout with no pink areas.
Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?
Fresh vegetables provide the best texture, but frozen broccoli and spinach work in a pinch. Thaw and drain them completely before adding to the skillet.
What if I don’t have cornstarch for the sauce?
Arrowroot powder or all-purpose flour can substitute the cornstarch to help thicken the sauce perfectly.
Garlic Chicken With Broccoli And Spinach Recipe
- Total Time: 20-23 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Spinach delivers a nutritious punch that’ll make your taste buds dance. Packed with lean protein and green goodness, this simple dish comes together quickly for a satisfying dinner that keeps your wellness goals on track.
Ingredients
Main Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
Vegetables:
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Seasonings and Liquids:
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Mix ½ teaspoon each of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl. Coat chicken pieces thoroughly with this seasoning blend.
- Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F.
- Sear 2 chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes until pieces turn golden brown and reach 165°F internal temperature.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a clean plate.
- Reduce heat to medium and melt 2 tablespoons butter in the same skillet.
- Add 4 minced garlic cloves and ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Toss 1 cup broccoli florets into the skillet. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes until slightly tender.
- Pour ½ cup chicken broth and 1 tablespoon soy sauce into the skillet. Stir to combine ingredients.
- Whisk 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to create a smooth slurry.
- Add cornstarch mixture to skillet. Simmer sauce for 1-2 minutes until it slightly thickens.
- Introduce 2 cups fresh spinach and reserved chicken to the skillet.
- Gently stir and cook for 2 minutes, allowing spinach to wilt and chicken to absorb sauce flavors.
- Garnish with 1 tablespoon chopped parsley and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds.
- Transfer to serving plates immediately while hot.
Notes
- Let the chicken rest after seasoning to help the spices penetrate deeper into the meat for more intense flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken doneness, ensuring it reaches 165°F without overcooking and drying out.
- For a lower-carb version, swap rice with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles to reduce overall calories and carbohydrates.
- If preferring a dairy-free option, replace butter with coconut oil or additional olive oil for sautéing vegetables and creating sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg




Sophie Lane
Recipe Developer
Expertise
Family-friendly Meals, Simple Healthy Cooking, Ingredient Substitutions, Beginner-friendly Recipes, Flexible Meal Prep
Education
- Program: Professional Cook Certificate
- Focus: Online culinary training covering knife skills, cooking techniques, and plant-based and modern cooking approaches.
Schoolcraft CollegeSophie brings a calm and flexible approach to Families With Purpose. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, she creates recipes that feel simple, clear, and easy to make at home. She focuses on family-friendly meals, healthy everyday cooking, ingredient swaps, and beginner-friendly ideas. Sophie helps make each recipe approachable and easy to follow, especially for busy families who need meals that can bend with the day.