Rating: 3.61
(169)

Chicken and Collard Greens Skillet

June 5, 2024

If you’re looking for a healthy, easy-to-make dinner that’s full of flavor and packed with nutrients, chicken and collard greens skillet is the answer. This one-pan meal combines lean chicken with hearty collard greens, creating a dish that’s both comforting and nourishing. Whether you’re looking to add more greens to your diet or simply want a satisfying dinner, this recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

The chicken is the star of this dish, juicy, tender, and full of protein. Using boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, you can season them with a blend of garlic, onion, paprika, salt, and pepper, giving the meat a delicious base of flavor. Once seared in the skillet, the chicken becomes golden brown, forming a savory crust.

Collard greens, known for their rich, earthy flavor, are the perfect complement to the chicken. These greens are not only packed with fiber and vitamins but also hold up well in a skillet, absorbing the flavors of the chicken and seasonings as they cook. After sautéing the greens with garlic and a splash of chicken broth or water, they become tender but still maintain a pleasant bite. You can even add a squeeze of lemon juice or a dash of vinegar to brighten the dish.

The beauty of this chicken and collard greens skillet is its simplicity. Everything comes together in one pan, making cleanup a breeze. The flavors meld beautifully as they cook, and the result is a well-rounded, hearty meal with a balance of protein, greens, and savory seasonings.

To make it even more filling, serve the skillet with a side of quinoa, brown rice, or mashed sweet potatoes. It’s a meal that’s perfect for those who are trying to eat cleaner or follow a low-carb, high-protein diet.

Whether you’re cooking for one or preparing a meal for the family, this chicken and collard greens skillet will quickly become a go-to recipe for a satisfying, nutrient-packed dinner.

Chicken and Collard Greens Skillet
Chicken and Collard Greens Skillet
3.61 from 169 votes
A delicious and healthy chicken and collard greens skillet recipe that is easy to make and packed with flavor.
Servings 4 people
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 bunch collard greens stems removed and leaves chopped
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Season the chicken thighs with paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the chicken thighs, skin side down, and cook for 5 minutes until browned and crispy.
  • Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  • In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic.
  • Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
  • Add the chopped collard greens and chicken broth to the skillet.
  • Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the collard greens are tender.
  • Return the chicken thighs to the skillet and cook for another 5 minutes until heated through.
  • Serve the chicken and collard greens skillet hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 30gFat: 22gFiber: 3g
Calories: 350kcal
Meal Type: Lunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken, dinner, lunch
Cooking Method: Fried
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
Tried this recipe?Mention @coolinarco or tag #coolinarco!
Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar arnold.marquardt1979 says:

    4 stars
    Easy recipe! I halved everything since I only had 2 thighs. It turned out great! 😋

  2. User avatar chase.waelchi says:

    3 stars
    This is good conceptually, but simmering collards for 10-15 minutes seems too short. Also I browned the chicken and it was nice, but 5 minutes each side felt like too long? Not sure, maybe my skillet runs hot.

  3. User avatar Spider Worker says:

    5 stars
    So easy to follow! My kids ate it all, which is rare! 😂

  4. User avatar Deep Thought says:

    5 stars
    Made it today. My kids loved it! Surprising since they usually hate greens. 😄

  5. User avatar Eddie the Computer says:

    5 stars
    My kids loved it! They actually ate greens for once! 😄

    1. User avatar jasmin.herman67 says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome! It’s so great when kids eat their veggies. 👏

    2. User avatar rashida.langosh65 says:

      2 stars
      Really? My kids would never touch collard greens. 🤔

  6. User avatar giovanni.nolan says:

    2 stars
    This is not a healthy dish. How can you cook chicken with skin and feel good about it? #notforme

  7. User avatar maybell.steuber says:

    3 stars
    Tasty! But I kind of burnt my chicken. Maybe I’ll try cooking on lower heat next time.

    1. User avatar nichol.harris29 says:

      3 stars
      Lower heat is good idea! But like, why not just try using a timer? That’s what I do!

    2. User avatar Drew Harris says:

      4 stars
      Burnt chicken? It’s all good! Just keep an eye on it next time. Cookin’s a skill, right? 😊

  8. User avatar doreen.hudson70 says:

    4 stars
    Need to get a skillet like that, it seems to work magic! 🍳

    1. 5 stars
      Right? That skillet looks awesome! Definitely thinking of getting one myself! 🛒

  9. User avatar Pasta Fasta says:

    2 stars
    Blah. My family didn’t like it at all. The flavor was off and the chicken wasn’t crispy enough. Ugh.

  10. User avatar ignacio.hansen says:

    4 stars
    Simple and delicious! I used chicken breasts instead of thighs, and it was still good. Thanks for sharing!

  11. User avatar kris.runolfsson11 says:

    1 star
    Why do you need chicken broth? Seems like an unnecessary step! 🤔

    1. User avatar Gail Andrews says:

      5 stars
      I actually think the chicken broth adds a lot of flavor and moisture to the dish. Without it, the greens might be too dry! 🥴

  12. User avatar jim.schowalter says:

    4 stars
    Love collard greens but I think there’s a typo. It says 1 cup broth but that’s not enough!

  13. 5 stars
    Yummy! My grandma used to make this same recipe but with bacon. I think I will try that next time!

    1. User avatar jed.leffler3 says:

      5 stars
      Bacon sounds great! Extra flavor for sure. Can’t wait to hear how it turns out!

  14. User avatar carmelina.schowalter23 says:

    5 stars
    This was soooo good! The chicken was crispy like I love it! Will definitely make again.

  15. User avatar lorraine.lubowitz6 says:

    5 stars
    This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it! 😍

    1. User avatar wellRespected says:

      3 stars
      Looks good, but are collard greens really that good? I mean, aren’t they kinda bitter?

    2. 5 stars
      Thanks! It really is yummy! I’ve made it twice already. 😊

  16. User avatar lillia.little68 says:

    5 stars
    This recipe is so good! My whole family loved it. The flavors are amazing!

  17. User avatar noble.leannon32 says:

    4 stars
    I dont know what collard greens r but I just used spinach, still turned out nice. chicken was good.

  18. User avatar CTRLplusW says:

    3 stars
    I tried making this but the chicken was undercooked. Will definitely need to cook it longer next time.

    1. 2 stars
      I ain’t never had a problem with it bein’ undercooked. You sure you followed all the steps?

    2. User avatar giselle.cremin says:

      5 stars
      Maybe try using a meat thermometer next time. It helps to avoid undercooking for sure!

  19. User avatar Cameron Larson says:

    5 stars
    Great recipe! My grandma used to do something similar but with kale. Same vibe, love it!

  20. User avatar Draugr Death Overlord says:

    2 stars
    Is collard greens really that good? Not sure I trust this. I’m more of a kale person.

  21. User avatar jacqueline.leannon65 says:

    4 stars
    I don’t like greens, so I just made the chicken. It was still yummy! Can’t go wrong with crispy chicken.

    1. User avatar sharron.blanda56 says:

      2 stars
      But you missed out on the greens! They add a whole nother level of flavor. 😕

    2. 4 stars
      Glad you enjoyed the chicken! I think it’s all about the seasoning, ain’t it? 🐔

  22. 5 stars
    Easy skillet meal! I love that you brown the chicken first then simmer the greens in the drippings. Next time I’ll sear a tiny bit longer for extra crunch on the skin.

    1. User avatar Hillman Hunter says:

      4 stars
      Not gonna lie, I might’ve burned mine 😅 but the drippings + collards were still really good. Next time I’ll watch the heat more and maybe add a splash more broth.

    2. 5 stars
      Love this idea! Browning the chicken first really makes the whole skillet taste deeper. I did it exactly once and now it’s on my “repeat” list.

  23. 2 stars
    The recipe seem 2 complicated for me. I just boil chicken most times lol.

    1. User avatar Yooden Vranx says:

      4 stars
      Don’t worry! Boiling chicken is easy, but this recipe is really not that hard once you try it. Just take it step by step! 🍗

  24. 5 stars
    I made this for dinner last night. My husband said it was the best meal ever! I’m glad I found this!

  25. User avatar keven.bruen5 says:

    2 stars
    I made this and forgot the chicken broth, it was dry! 😩 Next time I’ll follow the recipe right.

  26. 4 stars
    I used kale instead of collard greens since that’s what I had. Still turned out great!

    1. 5 stars
      That’s awesome! Kale is such a great substitute, I bet it added a nice twist.

  27. User avatar Sherril McGlynn says:

    5 stars
    Yum! 👍 Best dish I’ve made in weeks!

    1. User avatar odis.dickinson65 says:

      5 stars
      Glad to hear you enjoyed it! This recipe is a gem, isn’t it? 🔥

  28. User avatar rigoberto.dickens2011 says:

    4 stars
    Pretty good! I’m not usually a collard person, but the garlic and broth helped a lot. Only thing: my greens took closer to 25 minutes to soften. Still worth it though.

  29. 5 stars
    So good! The crunch on the chicken is just right. Will be making this again!

  30. User avatar Leta Barrows says:

    4 stars
    Chicken and greens? Sounds weird! But I gave it a try and wow, I was surprised! Good dish.

  31. User avatar Hillman Hunter says:

    4 stars
    Yummy recipe but ugh, what’s collard greens? Honestly, didn’t even care, tasted good!

  32. 2 stars
    I tried making this but the chicken didn’t cook right. Maybe I misread the heat or something?

  33. User avatar yevette.bartoletti35 says:

    5 stars
    Absolutely loved this recipe! The chicken was so juicy and the collard greens added a nice touch. Will definitely make it again! 🍗💚

  34. User avatar anonymous_hacker says:

    5 stars
    This is kinda like chicken stew but faster, lol. I used frozen chopped collards and it still worked. Family ate it without complaining (so that’s a win).

  35. User avatar Zachery Larson says:

    3 stars
    Not sure about covering and simmering right after browning—my bottom skin got soggy. Flavor was decent though. Maybe I should’ve just heated the chicken through off to the side.

    1. User avatar amanda.balistreri1992 says:

      4 stars
      I’ve had the same issue. Once you cover, that crispy skin basically turns into “chicken braised skin” 😅 I like to crisp it a bit more at the end, uncovered, so it stays crunchy.

  36. User avatar salena.mraz says:

    1 star
    Did not turn out like the picture. What a bummer.🧐

  37. 2 stars
    Wasn’t a fan of the collard greens, too bitter for my taste. Chicken was good though.

  38. User avatar Humma Kavula says:

    4 stars
    This is a nice recipe, but I used chicken breast instead of thighs and it was dry. Use thighs, trust me!

    1. User avatar dianne.dare40 says:

      5 stars
      I totally agree! Thighs are way juicier than breasts. Learned that the hard way too!

  39. User avatar jeffrey.lowe says:

    5 stars
    Yeet! This slapped hard! Even the kids loved it and that’s sayin’ a lot! 🤤🔥

    1. 5 stars
      That’s awesome to hear! Kids can be picky eaters, so that’s a big win! 🥳 What did you serve it with?

    2. User avatar wally.barrows46 says:

      3 stars
      Looks good, but I didn’t think collard greens was for kids… 🤔 Guess I was wrong!

  40. User avatar jayson.harris says:

    2 stars
    Ugh… mine stuck to the pan and the skin didn’t crisp at all. I think my oil wasn’t hot enough. Tasted okay but looked sad. I’ll try again with a better pan.

    1. User avatar kris.mckenzie71 says:

      4 stars
      Ugh, I’m sorry—that exact thing happens when the pan isn’t ripping hot yet. I usually crank it closer to high and wait until the oil looks shimmery before adding the chicken. Also pat the skin super dry so it can actually crisp.

3.61 from 169 votes
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