If you’re anything like me, weeknights demand dinner to be fast, flavorful, and honestly, not much work. We all know the struggle: you want healthy green veggies, but sometimes Brussels sprouts can come out tasting like little bitter hockey pucks, right? Well, I cracked the code! This method for making Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken is a total game-changer.
Forget mushy or woody vegetables; this recipe uses a simple trick—peeling those outer layers!—to unlock unbelievable tenderness. We’re using one skillet, so cleanup is a breeze, and the high heat caramelizes the sprouts just right while perfectly searing the chicken pieces. It’s quick, it’s satisfying, and trust me, even the picky eaters will enjoy this Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken magic.
Why This Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken Recipe Works
When I first started making this dish, I wasn’t sure what the big fuss was about peeling the sprouts. But wow, it truly makes all the difference! This recipe is my go-to for busy evenings because it’s fast and delivers amazing texture.
- It’s truly a one-skillet meal, meaning way less scrubbing later—score!
- The sprouts get beautifully tender instead of tough and chewy.
- Everything (chicken and sprouts) cooks quickly over medium-high heat.
- You get deep, rich caramelization on the veggies for maximum flavor.
The Secret to Tender Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken
Okay, here’s the real expert move that separates this dish from every other sad sprout recipe out there: peeling. Those outer leaves of a Brussels sprout always catch the most heat and often turn woody or slightly bitter, even if they look cooked. If you take just a minute to pull those off, you expose the more tender, bright green inner parts.
When you start with that tender interior, you don’t have to wrestle with them in the pan for ages, which prevents your chicken from becoming dry. It’s a small step, but it guarantees the soft, almost sweet bite we look for in a phenomenal Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken!
Ingredients for Your Perfect Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken
You only need a handful of things for this flavor-packed dinner, which is part of what makes it such a weeknight hero! Everything comes together so fast. The most important part here is getting your veggies prepped just right so they cook evenly with the chicken.
Don’t skimp on that garlic powder; it really sings next to the slight sweetness of the caramelized sprouts. Here is exactly what you need:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, and this is key: make sure the outer, tired leaves are removed and then cut them in half
- 2 tbsp olive oil (we split this between the chicken and the pan)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
See? Simple stuff! Once you have your little seasoned chicken cubes and your beautiful, peeled, halved sprouts ready to go, you’re already halfway to a fantastic Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken dinner. It’s really that straightforward!
Essential Equipment for Making Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken
Because this is mostly a skillet meal, you don’t need a mountain of fancy gadgets, which is great news for quick cleanup! You’ll want a reliable large skillet—one that can handle medium-high heat without warping. That’s where all the browning magic happens for both the chicken and those lovely sprouts.
Besides that main pan, you’ll just need a standard mixing bowl for seasoning your chicken pieces, and of course, a solid cutting board and a sharp knife for tackling those sprouts. That’s it! We’re keeping things minimal because the goal is dinner in under 30 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cooking Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken
Now that we have everything prepped—seasoned chicken cubes and those perfectly peeled Brussels sprouts halved—it’s time to bring it all together in under 20 minutes. This is where grabbing a large skillet pays off, because we want maximum surface contact for that beautiful browning we’re looking for. Remember, we get extra flavor by cooking the sprouts right after the chicken, grabbing all those tasty browned bits!
Seasoning and Searing the Chicken
First things first, get a big bowl and toss those bite-sized chicken pieces with one tablespoon of olive oil, the salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Make sure every cube is dusted evenly! Next, heat that remaining tablespoon of olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. You’ll know it’s ready once you see just the hint of shimmer. Now, add the chicken, but pay attention: don’t just dump it all in! Give it space. If your pan is too crowded, the chicken will steam instead of sear, and we want that golden crust! Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until it’s browned on all sides. It doesn’t need to be cooked all the way through yet, just nicely seared. Scoop the chicken out and set it aside on a clean plate.
Cooking the Peeled Brussels Sprouts to Perfection
Those tasty bits left on the pan are gold, so don’t clean it! Right into the same hot skillet go your halved, peeled Brussels sprouts. We’re cooking these, stirring them occasionally, until they get tender inside and start to caramelize slightly around the edges—this should take about 8 to 10 minutes. If you notice they look a little dry midway through, maybe grab that ¼ cup of chicken broth and splash it in during the last few minutes to help them steam and soften up, just like my notes suggest!
Combining and Finishing the Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken
Once the sprouts look tender and have some nice brown spots, bring that reserved cooked chicken right back into the skillet. Toss everything together so the chicken gets warmed back up by the heat and picks up any flavors lingering from the sprouts. Let it mingle for just one final minute. Right before you serve this amazing Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken dish, if you want a little zing, squeeze a tiny bit of fresh lemon juice over the whole thing! That brightness really wakes up the savory flavors. Serve it up hot right away!
Tips for Next-Level Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken
Okay, so the basic recipe for Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken is amazing as it is, but if you really want to elevate your weeknight dinner game, I have a couple of little secrets I use. These are the things I learned after making this dish about fifty times!
First, let’s talk about seasoning the chicken. Instead of just the basic mix, try using a tiny pinch of smoked paprika along with that garlic powder. It adds this lovely smoky depth that pairs surprisingly well with the slight bitterness that might peek through even the peeled sprouts. Don’t overdo it, though—a mere quarter teaspoon is enough to make people ask, “What *is* that amazing flavor?”
Second, and this is crucial for caramelization: water management! When you start cooking the sprouts, if your pan looks dry, use a teaspoon of water or that chicken broth I mentioned earlier, but only add a couple of tablespoons right at the beginning. Let it evaporate completely while the heat is high. This initial steam helps soften the sprouts just enough so that when the water disappears, the sugars have a clean surface to brown on. If you want crispy results but are skipping the skillet next time, check out my notes on air fryer Brussels sprouts—it’s another fantastic trick for crispiness!
Variations for Your Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken Meal
I love this Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken recipe because it’s such a fantastic base for switching things up! You don’t always have to stick to the exact same flavors, especially when you have flavor boosters lying around. If you’re craving something richer, try crisping up a few strips of bacon first, removing them, and then cooking the chicken in the bacon fat. That salty flavor is divine with the sprouts!
If chicken breast feels a little too plain one day, swap it out completely for some smoked sausage links; just slice them up and toss them in with the chicken for the searing step. You get an instant flavor upgrade without adding any prep time! For something totally different next time—maybe for lunch?—you could take the leftover seasoning blend and use it on a salad variation, similar to the flavors in my cherry walnut chicken salad, though that’s a whole different cooking method!
Remember that smoked paprika tip I gave earlier? Add a teaspoon of dried Italian herbs in place of the garlic powder sometime for an almost Mediterranean vibe on your Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken skillet. So many easy ways to keep things exciting!
Storing and Reheating Your Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken
Even though this Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken dish is so quick to make that you might actually want to eat seconds immediately, sometimes you have leftovers, and we absolutely need to treat them right!
To store them, grab an airtight container. Don’t just leave them sitting on the counter; you want to refrigerate them within two hours if possible. They hold up beautifully for about three days in the fridge. Now, when it comes to reheating, please skip the microwave if you can! Microwaving tends to steam the sprouts and can make things a little soggy.
Instead, throw the leftovers back into that same skillet over medium heat for just a few minutes. A tiny drizzle of olive oil helps refresh everything. This gentle heat crisps up the sprouts just enough and gets the chicken perfectly warm again. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken
I always get questions when people see this recipe because that peeling step seems a little unusual, but I promise it’s worth the tiny extra effort! People often ask me about swapping out ingredients since they want to customize their Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken.
If you’re wondering about alternatives to chicken, yes, you can absolutely use boneless, skinless chicken thighs; they stay even juicier! Or, if you’re looking for something less traditional than skillet cooking, you can roast the seasoned chicken and sprouts together on a sheet pan at 400°F for about 20 minutes. Just make sure to toss them halfway through so everything browns nicely! For all your other chicken needs, check out my favorite way to make easy shredded chicken.
Can I use frozen Brussels sprouts instead of fresh ones for this Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken dish?
Oh, that’s a tricky one! I really advise against frozen sprouts here, honestly. Frozen vegetables are often partially cooked and loaded with extra water. When you put that extra water into the skillet while trying to get a nice sear on your chicken, you end up steaming everything, and you just won’t get that lovely caramelization we worked for. If you absolutely must, thaw them really well, pat them bone dry with paper towels, and maybe skip the broth addition entirely!
What is the best way to store leftovers of this Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken?
Leftovers are great, but we want to keep those sprouts from getting mushy! Store the cooled Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken mix in a flat, airtight container in the fridge. They hang out nicely for about three days. When you reheat them, use that skillet again over medium heat—a little fresh oil helps refresh the texture better than a microwave ever could!
Nutritional Snapshot for This Quick Dinner
Since this Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken recipe is so fast, I often get asked about the nutrition, and I’m happy to share what I know! Remember that these numbers are just estimates calculated based on the ingredients listed, so they might shift around slightly depending on the leanness of your chicken or how much oil *actually* stays in the pan.
But for a satisfying, protein-packed meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes, it’s pretty solid!
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 38g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
Look at that protein count! That’s why this is such a sustaining meal. You’re getting lean protein from the chicken and a great boost of fiber from those amazing sprouts.
Share Your Experience Making Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken
I truly hope this fast and flavorful recipe for Peeled Brussels Sprout With Chicken becomes a regular in your rotation, just like it is here! Cooking should be fun, easy, and result in something delicious you feel good about eating.
Once you give this a try, I’d absolutely love to hear what you thought! Did peeling the sprouts really change your life the way it changed mine? Please leave a star rating right below this section—it helps other busy cooks find this easy dinner idea. And if you went rogue and added some smoked paprika or maybe a dash of balsamic vinegar right at the end, tell me about it in the comments!
Don’t be shy! If you snapped a picture of your beautifully seared chicken and caramelized sprouts, tag me on social media! Seeing your results makes my day and proves that an amazing, healthy meal doesn’t require hours over the stove. Happy cooking, everyone!
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Chicken with Peeled Brussels Sprouts
- Total Time: 28 min
- Yield: 3 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A simple recipe for cooking chicken breast with peeled Brussels sprouts.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, outer leaves removed and halved
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add the halved Brussels sprouts to the same skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and slightly caramelized, about 8-10 minutes.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the Brussels sprouts. Toss to combine and heat through for 1 minute.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for brightness.
- For extra flavor, add 1/4 cup of chicken broth during the last few minutes of cooking the sprouts.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 6
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 100
Keywords: chicken, brussels sprouts, skillet meal, quick dinner, peeled sprouts