Sautéed Lemon Garlic Chicken with Steamed Broccoli

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

Tender chicken breast sautéed with fresh lemon and garlic, served alongside crisp steamed broccoli for a light, healthy meal. This general-inspired chicken (low carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) chicken breast, olive oil, minced garlic cloves 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

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 pieces of chicken breast (6 oz each), seasoned with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
  2. Step 2: In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add 3 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice to the skillet, swirling to coat the chicken and cook until the garlic is fragrant but not burned.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, bring 1 inch of water to a boil in a pot fitted with a steamer basket. Add 3 cups broccoli florets, cover, and steam for 4-5 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp.
  4. Step 4: Plate the chicken alongside the steamed broccoli and spoon any pan juices over the chicken for extra flavor.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Lemon Garlic 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 Lemon Garlic 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 (6 oz each) chicken breast from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Lemon Garlic 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 Lemon Garlic 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 Lemon Garlic 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