Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Spinach

Want to make a healthy, tasty supper that your family will love and that is easy to make? Garlic chicken with broccoli and spinach is a great meal for a balanced evening. This recipe combines tender chicken, bright broccoli, and hearty spinach, all of which are full of protein, vitamins, and antioxidants. The rich taste of garlic adds to the flavor.

What is it about garlic chicken with broccoli and spinach that makes it so great?

This meal is a healthy mix of lean protein, lush greens, and tasty spices. Not only is it tasty, but it’s also good for you, so it’s a great choice for anyone who wants to eat a healthy diet. This is what makes this dish special:

Broccoli and spinach are full of vitamins C, K, and A, as well as folate and fiber. They are also very good for you.
Packed with Protein: Chicken breast is an excellent source of lean protein, which your muscles need to heal and build.
Tasty: The garlic gives the chicken and greens a savory richness that goes well with the mild flavors of the chicken and the faint bitterness of the greens.

This meal is great for hectic weeknights because it just needs a few simple ingredients and cooks quickly.

Things You Need

For the chicken:

Two chicken breasts without bones or skin
Three cloves of garlic, chopped up
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Add salt and black pepper to taste.
1 teaspoon of paprika (optional, for a little heat)

For the veggies:

Cut up one head of broccoli into florets.
Two cups of fresh spinach
1/2 cup of water or chicken broth
1 tablespoon of butter (optional for more richness)
Lemon zest (optional, for a fresh taste)

For Serving (optional):

Rice or quinoa that has been cooked
For more taste, add some parmesan cheese or crushed red pepper flakes.

Instructions

1. Getting the Chicken Ready: First, chop the chicken breasts into equal pieces and add salt, black pepper, and paprika to them. This makes the food taste better and gives it a wonderful color when it’s cooked.
2. Make the chicken: Put a big skillet or pan on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic smells good. Put the chicken in the skillet and cook it for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until it is golden brown and done. Take the chicken out of the pan and put it aside.

1. Fry the vegetables: If you need to, add a little additional oil or butter to the same pan. Add the broccoli florets and cook them for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they start to soften. Put the lid on and add the chicken broth or water. Let the broccoli steam for 3 to 4 minutes, or until it is soft but still crunchy.
2. Put in the spinach: Take the top off and put the fresh spinach in the pan. Stir it and let it cook for about a minute, or until it wilts.
3. Put the cooked chicken back in the pan with the broccoli and spinach and serve. Cook for one more minute to make sure everything is hot and has a strong garlic taste. You can add a little lemon zest for a refreshing touch if you want to.
4. Serve Hot: Put your Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Spinach on a plate and add rice or quinoa on the side for a full meal. If you want, add a little parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes at the end.

How to Make the Best Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Spinach

Change the Spices: If you like your food spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the chicken while it’s cooking.
You can use other green veggies instead of broccoli, like asparagus or green beans, if you want to.
Make it a Meal Prep Winner: You can keep this dish in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For a quick supper, heat it up slowly on the stove or in the microwave.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Spinach is a great supper choice for a weekday since it tastes great, is good for you, and is easy to make. It has a lot of protein and vitamins that are good for you, so it’s a great choice for anyone who care about their health. Also, it’s quick to make, so you’ll have a healthy lunch ready in no time.

Try this recipe tonight and see how easy it is to make a supper that tastes delicious and is good for you.

Last Thoughts

Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Spinach will quickly become a family favorite, whether you’re cooking for yourself or your family. Not only can you make it in less than 30 minutes, but it also tastes great and fills you up. You can have this dish on busy nights or as part of your meal planning for the week.

How to Serve and Store Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Spinach

Pair with a Side:

You may serve this recipe with cooked rice, quinoa, or even a light pasta on the side. Serve it with mashed cauliflower or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option.

Garnish to add flavor:

Before serving, sprinkle freshly grated parmesan cheese or a squeeze of lemon juice over the top to make it look and taste better. A small drizzle of olive oil or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes can also make it better.

Put in a new salad:

Add a simple side salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a mild vinaigrette to go with the garlic flavors for an even more balanced lunch.

Serve right away:

To get the most out of the flavors and textures, eat the meal when it’s still hot and fresh.

How to Store:

Let the dish cool down properly before putting it away. This stops condensation from forming and keeps it fresh for longer.
Put the chicken, broccoli, and spinach in a container that won’t let air in. This will keep it from picking up smells from the fridge that you don’t want it to.
Refrigeration: You can keep leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. To keep the food safe, make sure to eat it within this time limit.
Optional: You can freeze the meal if you want to keep it for a longer time. Put the cooled chicken and vegetables in a container that can go in the freezer or a zip-top bag. They can stay frozen for up to three months. To warm up, take it out of the freezer the night before and let it sit in the fridge. Then, on the stove or in the microwave, warm it up slowly.
To keep the broccoli and spinach from being mushy when you reheat them, do them on low heat with a little water or broth to add moisture. Stir every now and again to make sure the food heats evenly and doesn’t overcook.

Pro Tip: When warming from frozen, do it slowly to keep the best texture and flavor.

FAQs

Is it okay to use frozen vegetables instead of fresh broccoli and spinach?You can use frozen spinach and broccoli. Just remember to let them defrost before putting them in the pan. If you use frozen veggies, they could let out more water, thus you might want to change the cooking time a little bit to keep the dish from getting too watery.
What can I do to make this recipe hotter?You may make your Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Spinach spicier by adding a touch of red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or even some sliced jalapeños while the chicken is cooking. Change the level of spiciness to what you like.
Can I use a different protein instead of the chicken?Of course! You can use alternative proteins in this recipe, such shrimp, tofu, or turkey breast. Just be sure to change the cooking time based on the type of protein you use. For instance, shrimp cooks more faster than chicken, so be careful not to overcook them.
What can I do to make this dish more filling?If you want the dish to be more filling, try putting it on top of rice, quinoa, or pasta. For a full, filling meal, you may also add roasted sweet potatoes or a side of crusty bread. Adding some toasted almonds or sesame seeds can help give the dish a nutty flavor and more texture.

What is it?

This one-pan Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Spinach is a quick, tasty, and healthy supper choice. Fresh garlic is sautéed with tender chicken breast, and then the two are mixed with bright broccoli and greens to provide a dish full of nutrients. This recipe goes great with rice, pasta, or quinoa and is perfect for hectic weeknights.

Things needed

2 big chicken breasts without bones or skin, chopped into pieces that are easy to eat
2 tablespoons of olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, chopped up
Two cups florets of broccoli
Three cups new spinach leaves
1/2 teaspoon of salt (or to taste)
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick)
1/4 cup of water or chicken broth
1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for decoration)

Step-by-step Preparation

Get the ingredients ready: Cut the chicken into small pieces and chop the garlic. Clean the broccoli and spinach by rinsing and draining them.
Prepare the chicken: Put 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until it is golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Take the chicken out of the skillet and put it aside.
Sauté the broccoli: Put another tablespoon of olive oil in the same skillet. Add the broccoli and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until it starts to soften.
Add the spinach and garlic: Turn the heat down to medium. Put the garlic and spinach in the skillet with the broccoli. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring often, until the spinach wilts and the garlic smells good.
Mix with chicken: Put the cooked chicken back in the pan. Add the chicken broth or water and mix well. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes so the flavors can mix. If you’re using Parmesan cheese, sprinkle it on top and drizzle fresh lemon juice over the meal. Change the seasoning to suit your taste.
Serve right away. You may eat it by itself or with rice, pasta, or quinoa.

Notes

To mix things up, use asparagus or zucchini instead of broccoli.
If you want to make the dish even faster, use chicken that has already been cooked or rotisserie chicken.
If you want to make it dairy-free, leave out the Parmesan or use a plant-based substitute.