Creamy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Bake
Description
This creamy garlic chicken and broccoli bake is an easy, budget-friendly dish that’s perfect for meal prepping. With tender chicken, crispy broccoli, and a creamy garlic sauce, it's a comforting meal that’s also keto, gluten-free, and low-carb. This recipe makes multiple servings, perfect for freezing or refrigerating for quick meals throughout the week.
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, diced
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or dairy-free cheese alternative)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon chili flakes (optional for spice)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
- Blanch the broccoli: Bring a pot of water to boil, add broccoli florets, and cook for 2-3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Make the garlic cream sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, salt, pepper, and paprika (if using). Stir well and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Assemble the bake: In a baking dish, layer the cooked chicken and broccoli. Pour the garlic cream sauce over them evenly. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the bake cool slightly before serving. You can serve it as is or alongside a low-carb side like cauliflower rice.
Note
- If you're dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use dairy-free cheese.
- You can swap broccoli with other vegetables like cauliflower or zucchini.
- This dish is freezer-friendly. Let it cool completely before freezing, and store it in an airtight container.
Tips and Tricks:
- Meal Prep Tip: Portion the bake into separate containers for easy grab-and-go meals throughout the week. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Make It Spicy: Add more chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
- For a Crispier Top: Broil the bake for the last 2 minutes to get a golden, crispy cheese layer.
- Vegetable Substitutions: If you're not a fan of broccoli, swap it out with other veggies like green beans, spinach, or cauliflower.
Budget meal prep, chicken bake, keto, low-carb, gluten-free, creamy chicken
Did you make this recipe?