You know those evenings, right? The ones where the clock seems to speed up and dinner feels like a Mountain Everest to climb? I’ve totally been there. That’s why I’m obsessed with this Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies recipe. It’s like my secret weapon for getting a seriously flavorful, wholesome meal on the table in practically no time. Seriously, the blend of juicy chicken, tons of garlic, rich butter, and crisp-tender veggies is just *chef’s kiss* perfect. I whip this up at least once a week when the kids are drowning in homework and I need something that’s both comforting and quick. It never fails to hit the spot!
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies Recipe
Trust me, this dish is a weeknight dinner superhero! Here’s why it’s become a go-to in my own kitchen:
- Super Easy Prep: Honestly, itโs mostly just chopping, then everything cooks together in one pan. Less cleanup is always a win in my book!
- Packed with Flavor: That garlic butter sauce? It’s pure gold. It coats everything โ the chicken, the veggies, taking simple ingredients to a whole new delicious level.
- So Versatile: You can totally swap out the veggies based on what you have or whatโs in season. Itโs my go-to Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies recipe because itโs always flexible!
- Perfect for Busy Nights: With minimal fuss and quick cooking time, you get a satisfying, healthy meal even when youโre totally wiped. Itโs a real lifesaver!
Ingredients for Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies
Alright, let’s get down to business with what you’ll need for this fantastic Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies! It’s pretty straightforward, but the freshness of these ingredients really makes a difference, so try to grab the good stuff!
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (like 1-inch cubes)
- 1 tablespoon good quality olive oil
- A generous 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter (don’t skimp here, it’s key!)
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced up super fine. Fresh is best, trust me!
- About 1 pound of mixed veggies. I love using broccoli florets, colorful bell pepper strips, a few onion wedges, and some zucchini slices. But honestly, use what you’ve got! Carrots, asparagus, even mushrooms would be amazing here too.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to your taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground if you can
- 1/4 cup chicken broth (low sodium is usually fine)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped up nice and fine for garnish at the end
How to Make Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies
Okay, let’s get this delicious Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies masterpiece happening! Itโs honestly so straightforward, youโll wonder why you ever stressed about weeknight dinners. We’re going to build flavor step-by-step, and the sink will thank you for it since it’s mostly a one-pan wonder!
Preparing the Chicken for Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies
First things first, letโs get that chicken ready to go. Youโve already chopped your chicken thighs into nice, bite-sized pieces, right? Perfect. Now, pop them into a bowl with that tablespoon of olive oil, the salt, and the pepper. Just give it a good toss with your hands โ seriously, hands work best here โ to make sure every little piece is coated. This isn’t just for flavor; it helps the chicken brown up beautifully later on.
Cooking the Chicken and Aromatics
Now, grab your biggest skillet or a Dutch oven. We want to get it nice and hot over medium-high heat. Add that glorious butter. Once itโs melted and starts to sizzle a bit, carefully add your seasoned chicken pieces. Now, here’s a crucial step for amazing flavor: don’t overcrowd the pan! If you cram it all in, the chicken will steam instead of browning. Cook it in batches if you need to. Let it get a nice, golden-brown crust on all sides, maybe about 5-7 minutes. Once it’s looking good, scoop it out and set it aside on a plate. Don’t wipe out the pan, though! Toss in your minced garlic and sautรฉ it for just about a minute until it smells absolutely heavenly. Watch it like a hawk โ burnt garlic is no fun!
Adding Vegetables and Finishing the Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies
Into that same skillet, now infused with all that garlicky goodness, go your prepped veggies. Give them a stir and sautรฉ them for around 5-7 minutes, or until they’re tender-crisp. You want them cooked but still with a little bite! Now, bring your browned chicken back into the skillet with the veggies. Pour in that chicken broth โ it’s going to make a lovely little sauce. Stir everything together to combine all those amazing flavors. Let it simmer gently for another 5-10 minutes. This is when the magic happens: the chicken finishes cooking through, and the sauce thickens up just perfectly, coating everything in that irresistible garlic butter goodness. Just before you serve, stir in that fresh chopped parsley. Doesnโt that look incredible? You can even `roast some of your veggies` separately for a different texture if you like!
Tips for Perfect Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies
You really want this Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies to sing, right? It’s all about a few little tricks I’ve picked up over the years that make such a difference. Here are my top secrets:
- Don’t Fear the Fat (Butter!): That butter is *essential* for flavor and getting that beautiful sear on the chicken and that rich sauce. It’s what turns a simple chicken and veggie dish into something truly decadent. Don’t be tempted to cut it back too much!
- Medium-High Heat is Your Friend: When you’re browning the chicken and sautรฉing the garlic, using medium-high heat is key. It gives you that lovely caramelization on the chicken and cooks the garlic quickly so it doesn’t burn. Just keep an eye on it โ they say patience is a virtue, but for garlic, it’s more like quick reflexes!
- Veggie Choice Matters: While you can totally use any veggies you love, think about cooking times! Heartier veggies like broccoli and bell peppers hold up well and get that nice tender-crisp texture. Softer ones like zucchini might cook a little faster, so keep that in mind. You can always experiment with combinations, like a `garlic cauliflower and mushroom skillet`, to see what amazing flavors you can create!
- Sauce Control: That little bit of chicken broth at the end is a game-changer. It really helps create that luscious sauce. If you want it thicker, just let it simmer a minute or two longer. If it gets too thick, a tiny splash more broth should do the trick. Itโs all about finding that perfect balance!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies
This Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies recipe is so forgiving, which is one of the things I absolutely adore about it! You can really make it your own. Let’s chat about a couple of the key players and how you can swap them out if needed.
First off, chicken thighs are my preference because they stay so juicy and tender, even when cooked through. But if youโre more of a chicken breast person, go for it! Just make sure you don’t overcook it, or it can get a bit dry. You could even try a `stuffed chicken breast` if you have a bit more prep time! For the veggies, as I mentioned, the world is your oyster! Broccoli, bell peppers, onions, and zucchini are just a suggestion. Feel free to toss in whatever you have in your crisper drawer โ snap peas, asparagus, mushrooms, carrots โ just keep in mind their cooking times might vary a bit.
Serving Suggestions for Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies
So, you’ve whipped up this amazing Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies, and now it’s time to make it a full meal! This dish is fantastic all on its own, but itโs also a total team player. I often serve it over a bed of fluffy white or brown rice to soak up all that glorious garlicky butter sauce โ itโs seriously divine! Another favorite is with some crusty bread for dunking, or even tossed with `garlic parmesan pasta` for a truly hearty, satisfying dinner. Whatever you choose, itโs a winner!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got some delicious Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies leftover? Lucky you! To keep it tasting just as amazing, let it cool down completely first. Then, pop it into an airtight container and straight into the fridge. It should stay good for about 3 to 4 days. When youโre ready to reheat, I find the stovetop is your best bet. Just toss it back into a skillet over medium-low heat with a tiny splash of water or broth to help revive that beautiful sauce. You can also use the microwave, but be sure to stir it halfway through to make sure it heats evenly and doesnโt get rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies
Got some burning questions about my go-to Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies? I get it! It’s always good to know the ins and outs. Here are a few things people often ask me!
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breast works perfectly well in this Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies recipe. Just make sure you don’t overcook it, as it can dry out faster than thighs. Cut it into similar-sized pieces and cook it until it’s just opaque and nicely browned; it might take a minute or two less than the thighs. You could also try using it in something like `these chicken zucchini boats` for a different spin!
What if I don’t have chicken broth?
No worries at all! If you happen to be out of chicken broth, you can easily substitute it with vegetable broth or even just plain water. A splash of white wine (like a dry Pinot Grigio) works wonders too, adding a lovely subtle acidity that complements the garlic butter. Just make sure whatever liquid you use, itโs about 1/4 cup!
How can I make this Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies recipe spicier?
Oh, if you like a little heat, this is super easy to jazz up! When you’re about to add the minced garlic, just toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes right along with it. You can even add a dash of cayenne pepper. Start with a little, taste, and add more if youโre feeling brave โ it seriously makes this dish sing!
What other vegetables work well?
Honestly, the veggie possibilities are endless! Besides the broccoli, bell peppers, onions, and zucchini, I often throw in sliced carrots, asparagus spears, fresh green beans, or even some sliced mushrooms. Just remember that some veggies, like carrots or green beans, might need a minute or two longer to get tender-crisp, so add them to the skillet a bit before softer veggies like zucchini if you’re mixing a lot!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Now, about the nitty-gritty โ the nutrition! This Garlic Butter Chicken Veggies is honestly pretty balanced for a weeknight meal. Based on the ingredients and serving sizes, you’re looking at roughly 450 calories per serving. That includes about 25g of fat, with 10g being saturated, and a solid 40g of protein to keep you full. It’s got around 15g of carbs and a few grams of fiber too! Just remember, these numbers are estimates, they can totally shift depending on the brands you use and exactly what veggies you toss in.
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PrintGarlic Butter Chicken and Veggies
A simple and flavorful dish featuring chicken, garlic, butter, and your favorite vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb mixed vegetables (broccoli florets, bell pepper strips, onion wedges, zucchini slices)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss chicken pieces with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Melt butter in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add mixed vegetables to the skillet and cook until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.
- Return chicken to the skillet. Pour in chicken broth and stir to combine.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened slightly.
- Stir in fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can use any vegetables you prefer, such as carrots, asparagus, or mushrooms.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Serve over rice or with crusty bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: garlic butter chicken, chicken and vegetables, one-pan meal, easy dinner, weeknight meal