Description
A flavorful and healthy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli with Lemon recipe that combines tender seared chicken breasts and vibrant broccoli florets sautéed with garlic, anchovies, and a bright lemon sauce, finished with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese for a deliciously easy dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broccoli
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, patted dry
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small head broccoli (about ¾ pound), cut into bite-sized florets, stem cut into ½-inch slices on the diagonal
Sauce and Garnish
- 4 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 to 3 oil-packed anchovies, drained and chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup water
- Parmesan cheese, for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Set aside to allow the seasoning to penetrate.
- Sear the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the butter in a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter melts and starts bubbling, add the chicken breasts smooth side down. Partially cover the pan to minimize splatters and cook until the chicken is golden, about 3 minutes. Flip the chicken, cover with the lid, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Add and cook broccoli: Nestle the broccoli florets and slices in between the chicken breasts in the pan. Cover and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through and the broccoli is tender but still vibrant, approximately 6 to 9 minutes. Transfer the broccoli to a serving plate and the chicken to a cutting board to rest.
- Prepare the sauce: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet. Stir in the chopped garlic and anchovies, cooking just until fragrant and sizzling, about 1 minute. Pour in ¼ cup water and the lemon juice, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then remove from heat.
- Serve: Slice the chicken diagonally and arrange it on the plate alongside the broccoli. Spoon the lemony pan sauce over the chicken and broccoli, then grate or shave Parmesan cheese on top to finish.
Notes
- For a stronger anchovy flavor, increase the anchovies to 4, or omit entirely if you prefer milder taste.
- You can substitute the Parmesan with Pecorino Romano for a sharper finish.
- Broccoli can be substituted with other quick-cooking vegetables like asparagus or green beans if preferred.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
- Using a skillet with a lid helps to steam the broccoli and cook the chicken evenly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: garlic chicken, broccoli, lemon chicken, skillet chicken, easy dinner, healthy chicken recipe, Italian chicken recipe
