20-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken (Print)

Tender chicken, broccoli, and garlic-butter rice cook together in one pan for a fast, flavorful meal.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
03 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
04 - 1/2 tsp paprika

→ Vegetables

05 - 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped small
06 - 1 small onion, finely chopped

→ Rice

07 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
08 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Garlic-Butter Sauce

09 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
10 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
12 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
14 - Lemon wedges (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add seasoned chicken and cook until lightly browned and cooked through, approximately 4-5 minutes. Transfer chicken to a separate plate and reserve.
03 - Add another tablespoon of butter to the same skillet. Sauté the finely chopped onion and minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
04 - Stir the rinsed rice into the skillet and cook for 1 minute, ensuring the grains are coated with butter and aromatics.
05 - Incorporate the chicken broth and dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
06 - Reduce the heat to low. Evenly distribute the broccoli florets over the rice without stirring. Cover the skillet and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes.
07 - Uncover the skillet. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and gently stir all ingredients together. Continue cooking uncovered for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid has been fully absorbed.
08 - Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately. Offer lemon wedges on the side, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients you likely have on hand
  • Everything cooks in one pan for minimal cleanup
  • Perfect balance of protein, vegetables and carbs
  • Family friendly flavor profile that even picky eaters enjoy
02 -
  • Perfect for meal prep and stays delicious for up to 3 days in the refrigerator
  • Complete nutrition in one dish with protein, vegetables and complex carbs
  • Incredibly versatile recipe that works with many protein and vegetable substitutions
  • Can be doubled easily in a larger pan to feed a crowd
03 -
  • Toast the rice properly before adding liquid for the most flavorful result
  • Cut all chicken pieces to the same size for even cooking
  • Allow the dish to rest covered for 5 minutes before serving to let flavors meld
  • Use real butter rather than substitutes for the authentic rich flavor
  • Freshly minced garlic makes a significant difference in the final taste profile

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