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Garlic Butter Chicken with Zucchini and Corn – One-Pan, 30-Minute Meal


  • Author: Skylar
  • Total Time: 43 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This recipe features tender chicken cooked in a flavorful garlic butter sauce combined with fresh zucchini and sweet corn. It’s a one-pan meal that comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights. The dish offers a balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors with a comforting, home-cooked feel.


Ingredients

Scale

Veggies
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium zucchini, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
1.5 cups cooked corn kernels (about 3 ears of corn)

Garlic Butter Chicken
1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts, sliced
½ teaspoon smoked paprika or more
½ teaspoon chili powder or more
¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice or more
4 tablespoons butter, divided

Garnish
½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped


Instructions

Prepare the veggies
Heat a large, high-sided cast-iron skillet over medium heat for 1 minute. Add olive oil and sliced zucchini. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 3 minutes, flipping the zucchini once. Transfer cooked zucchini to a plate.

Prepare the garlic butter chicken
Slice the chicken breasts into strips. Season with smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in the same empty cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken strips in a single layer and cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes.

Flip the chicken strips, add minced garlic, and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, stir in lime juice and 2 tablespoons butter. Continue cooking and stirring frequently for about 2 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and the garlic has softened.

Assembly
Return the cooked zucchini and corn kernels to the skillet with the chicken. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and melt over low heat, stirring quickly to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly with the garlic butter sauce. Remove from heat.

Stir in half of the chopped cilantro. Adjust seasoning with salt, smoked paprika, chili powder, and lime juice as desired.

To serve, garnish with the remaining cilantro and sprinkle a small amount of chili powder on top for presentation if preferred.

Notes

Cook chicken evenly to avoid dryness
Use medium heat to prevent burning
Rest chicken a few minutes before serving
Use fresh zucchini for best flavor
Avoid overcrowding the pan for even cooking

  • Prep Time: 30
  • Cook Time: 13