Introduction

Remember those weeknights when you just wanted something delicious and satisfying without all the fuss? This Grilled Chicken & Broccoli Bowl with Creamy Garlic Sauce is that recipe. It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for a busy evening or when you want to impress without breaking a sweat. I’ve made this more times than I can count, and it always brings smiles all around. Get ready for a super simple, incredibly tasty meal!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: We’re talking dinner on the table in about 30 minutes!
Easy: Minimal steps and common ingredients make this a breeze for any home cook.
Giftable: Okay, maybe not the whole bowl, but the creamy garlic sauce recipe is definitely something you’ll want to share!
Crowd-pleasing: Even the pickiest eaters tend to love the combination of tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and that dreamy garlic sauce.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to create this magic:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The stars of our show! Look for nice, plump ones.
2 cups broccoli florets: Fresh is best for that vibrant green color and perfect crunch.
3 cloves garlic: Don’t be shy with the garlic – it’s what makes that sauce sing!
1 teaspoon salt: To bring out all the yummy flavors.
1 teaspoon black pepper: A little kick to make things interesting.
2 tablespoons olive oil: Our trusty friend for grilling.
1 tablespoon butter: For that extra richness in our sauce.
1 cup heavy cream: This is where the creamy dream comes true!
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Salty, nutty, and utterly delicious.

How to Make It

Let’s get cooking! It’s easier than you think.

Prep the Chicken: First things first, let’s get our chicken ready. Just pat those chicken breasts dry and season them generously on both sides with salt and pepper. This simple step makes a big difference in flavor!
Get Grilling: Heat up your grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, and once it’s shimmering, carefully place your seasoned chicken breasts on the hot surface.
Grill to Perfection: Let them cook for about 6-8 minutes on each side. You’re looking for that lovely golden-brown char and for them to be cooked all the way through. To make sure, you can slice into the thickest part – no pink allowed! Once they’re done, take them off the heat and let them rest for about 5 minutes. This is key for juicy chicken! Then, slice them up into bite-sized pieces.
Blanch the Broccoli: While your chicken is resting, let’s get the broccoli ready. You can either steam it until it’s tender-crisp (my favorite way for vibrant color!) or give it a quick blanch in boiling water for a minute or two, then plunge it into ice water to stop the cooking. You want it tender, but with a little bite left.
Sauce Time! In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add your minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute until it smells absolutely amazing. Be careful not to burn it!
Creamy Dreamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and let it come to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into a smooth, luscious sauce. Season with a little more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Assemble Your Bowls: Now for the fun part! Divide your beautifully grilled chicken and tender-crisp broccoli between your bowls.
Drizzle and Devour: Generously drizzle that glorious creamy garlic sauce all over your chicken and broccoli. And there you have it – a restaurant-worthy meal made right in your own kitchen!

Substitutions & Additions

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Feel free to get creative!

Chicken: If you don’t have chicken breasts, boneless, skinless thighs work beautifully too. Just adjust the grilling time as needed. For a vegetarian option, firm tofu or large mushrooms grilled or pan-seared would be fantastic.
Broccoli: Asparagus spears, green beans, or even sliced zucchini would be delicious swaps for broccoli.
Cheese: Pecorino Romano is a fantastic, sharper alternative to Parmesan.
Add-ins: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end brightens the sauce beautifully. You could also stir in some fresh herbs like parsley or chives, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.

Tips for Success

A few little tricks to make your bowls absolutely perfect:

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When grilling chicken, give each piece enough space so they can get a nice sear instead of steaming. Cook in batches if necessary.
Rest Your Chicken: I can’t stress this enough! Resting the chicken allows the juices to redistribute, keeping it moist and tender.
Broccoli Texture: For tender-crisp broccoli, don’t overcook it. It should still have a slight snap.
Sauce Consistency: If your sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of milk or even water to thin it out. If it’s too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce.
Prep Ahead: You can chop your broccoli and mince your garlic a day in advance to save even more time on busy nights. The sauce can also be made ahead and gently reheated.

How to Store It

Leftovers are a treasure! Store any remaining chicken, broccoli, and sauce in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. They’ll stay delicious for about 2-3 days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken and broccoli on the stovetop or in the microwave, then warm the sauce separately. You might want to add a splash of milk or cream to the sauce when reheating to get it back to that perfect consistency.

FAQs

Got questions? We’ve got answers!

Can I make this without a grill? Absolutely! You can pan-sear the chicken in a hot skillet with olive oil until cooked through, or even bake it in the oven.
How do I know if the chicken is cooked? The safest way is to use an instant-read thermometer. It should register 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part. Visually, the juices should run clear, and there should be no pink inside.
Is this dish healthy? This bowl is packed with protein from the chicken and nutrients from the broccoli! It’s a balanced meal. You can always lighten up the sauce by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though it will be less rich.

Creamy Garlic Chicken & Broccoli Bowls

A quick and easy recipe for grilled chicken and broccoli served with a rich and creamy garlic sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Servings 4 bowls

Equipment

Grill Pan or outdoor grill
Skillet
bowls

Ingredients

Main ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts Look for nice, plump ones.
2 cups broccoli florets Fresh is best.
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup heavy cream
0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Prep the Chicken: First things first, let's get our chicken ready. Just pat those chicken breasts dry and season them generously on both sides with salt and pepper. This simple step makes a big difference in flavor!
Get Grilling: Heat up your grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, and once it’s shimmering, carefully place your seasoned chicken breasts on the hot surface.
Grill to Perfection: Let them cook for about 6-8 minutes on each side. You're looking for that lovely golden-brown char and for them to be cooked all the way through. To make sure, you can slice into the thickest part – no pink allowed! Once they're done, take them off the heat and let them rest for about 5 minutes. This is key for juicy chicken! Then, slice them up into bite-sized pieces.
Blanch the Broccoli: While your chicken is resting, let’s get the broccoli ready. You can either steam it until it's tender-crisp (my favorite way for vibrant color!) or give it a quick blanch in boiling water for a minute or two, then plunge it into ice water to stop the cooking. You want it tender, but with a little bite left.
Sauce Time! In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add your minced garlic and let it sizzle for about a minute until it smells absolutely amazing. Be careful not to burn it!
Creamy Dreamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and let it come to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts into a smooth, luscious sauce. Season with a little more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Assemble Your Bowls: Now for the fun part! Divide your beautifully grilled chicken and tender-crisp broccoli between your bowls.
Drizzle and Devour: Generously drizzle that glorious creamy garlic sauce all over your chicken and broccoli. And there you have it – a restaurant-worthy meal made right in your own kitchen!

Notes

Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat gently, adding a splash of milk or cream to the sauce if needed.