Sautéed Garlic Lemon Chicken with Steamed Broccoli

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A simple, healthy chicken dish featuring tender pan-seared chicken breasts infused with garlic and bright lemon, paired with lightly steamed broccoli. This general-inspired chicken (low carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic cloves, lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes on the first side without moving, until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 4 minutes until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Step 3: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet around the chicken and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, then drizzle 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the chicken and remove from heat.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, place 2 cups broccoli florets and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl, cover loosely, and microwave on high for 3 minutes until tender but still bright green.
  5. Step 5: Serve the lemon garlic chicken alongside the steamed broccoli, spooning any pan juices over the chicken.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Lemon Chicken with Steamed Broccoli take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Sautéed Garlic Lemon Chicken with Steamed 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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Lemon Chicken with Steamed 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 Sautéed Garlic Lemon Chicken with Steamed Broccoli for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Sautéed Garlic Lemon Chicken with Steamed Broccoli low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes