Quick Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Broccoli
A fast, tasty, and comforting recipe featuring juicy chicken bites coated in garlicky butter paired with crisp-tender broccoli, ready in under 15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil, for searing
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups (150g) broccoli florets, washed and trimmed
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional garnish: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional garnish: Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into roughly 1-inch pieces. Trim broccoli into bite-sized florets. Mince garlic cloves finely.
- Toss chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika if using.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 2 minutes). Add chicken in a single layer and sear without moving for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip and cook chicken pieces for another 3-4 minutes until browned and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon butter and broccoli florets. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until broccoli is bright green and crisp-tender.
- Push broccoli to one side of the pan. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and minced garlic to the empty side. Stir garlic in butter for about 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Toss chicken back into the pan with broccoli and garlic butter. Stir gently to coat and heat through for 1-2 minutes. Add fresh lemon juice and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Remove from heat. If desired, sprinkle with chopped parsley and grated Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure chicken sears properly instead of steaming. Use room temperature chicken for even cooking. Add garlic after broccoli softens to prevent bitterness. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil or plant-based margarine. Leftovers keep up to 3 days refrigerated; reheat gently in a skillet to preserve texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: garlic butter chicken, chicken bites, broccoli recipe, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight meal, healthy chicken, low-carb chicken