Seared Chicken Breast with Creamy Dill Sauce Recipe
This Seared Chicken Breast with Creamy Dill Sauce is a quick and flavorful dinner recipe featuring tender, golden-brown chicken breasts served in a luscious lemony dill cream sauce with tender broccoli florets. The dish combines simple seasoning, sautéing, and deglazing techniques to create a deliciously rich, yet healthy meal perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or chicken thighs)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
Vegetables & Sauce
- 1 medium head of broccoli (cut into bite-sized florets)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 3-4 garlic cloves (pressed)
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 ounces cream cheese (low-fat works)
- 1 lemon (juice and zest of)
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill
- Lemon slices or wedges to garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Rub the chicken breasts evenly with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper on all sides to enhance flavor.
- Sear the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive or avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden-brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet, set aside, and cover to keep warm.
- Sauté the garlic: In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil and sauté the pressed garlic cloves until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, being careful not to burn them.
- Deglaze and make sauce: Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Whisk in the cream cheese along with the lemon juice and zest until smooth and creamy.
- Cook the broccoli: Stir in the fresh dill and broccoli florets. Reduce heat to low and cook the broccoli in the creamy sauce until just tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Combine and serve: Return the seared chicken breasts to the pan and spoon the creamy dill sauce over them. Garnish with lemon slices or wedges and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier alternative.
- Low-fat cream cheese keeps the sauce creamy with fewer calories.
- Adjust garlic and dill quantities according to your taste preference.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Leftovers store well refrigerated for up to 3 days.
