Description
This Creamy Chicken and Broccoli recipe is a wholesome and flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection, combined with vibrant broccoli in a smooth, creamy almond milk-based sauce. Perfect for a quick, nutritious weeknight dinner, it’s lightly seasoned with Italian herbs and garnished with fresh parsley and optional lemon wedges for a bright finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Sauce & Vegetables
- 1 1/2 cups almond milk (or any other milk)
- 1 tablespoon gluten-free flour (or any other flour)
- 1 medium broccoli head, chopped (about 3 cups)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Lemon wedges, for serving
- 1 clove garlic, minced (inferred from sautéing garlic in instructions)
Instructions
- Rub the Chicken: Rub the chicken breasts evenly with kosher salt, ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning to coat the meat and enhance the flavor.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the almond milk and gluten-free flour until the mixture is smooth with no lumps, creating a base for the creamy sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook until golden-brown on both sides and fully cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Broccoli: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté minced garlic briefly until fragrant. Then pour in the almond milk mixture and add the chopped broccoli. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the broccoli becomes tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet with the broccoli and creamy sauce. Heat everything through together for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side for an optional bright citrus accent.
Notes
- You can substitute almond milk with any preferred milk, including dairy or other plant-based options.
- For a thicker sauce, adjust the flour quantity slightly or cook the sauce longer to reduce.
- The recipe is naturally gluten-free if using gluten-free flour.
- Add minced garlic before cooking the broccoli for extra flavor (this ingredient is implied though not listed originally).
- Lemon wedges add a fresh brightness that balances the creamy sauce but are optional.
- Chicken breasts can be swapped for thighs for a different texture and flavor.
