Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Butter and Broccoli
Juicy chicken breasts cooked in rich garlic butter sauce, served with tender-crisp broccoli for a satisfying keto dinner. This american-inspired keto (high-protein, low-carb) ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) boneless chicken breasts, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) boneless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 3: Remove chicken to a plate and keep warm. Add 3 tbsp butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Add broccoli florets and 2 tbsp water to the skillet, cover, and steam for 4 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, add lemon zest, and toss to coat. Cook for 1 minute more until heated through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Butter and Broccoli take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Butter and Broccoli?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Butter and Broccoli?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Butter and Broccoli for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Pan-Seared Chicken with Garlic Butter and Broccoli high-protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high-protein, low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 15-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
