If you’re looking for a quick, low-carb chicken dinner that tastes amazing, this chicken and bok choy skillet is going to become a go-to. Heavily flavored with garlic and spices, this is a tasty and light weeknight meal when you are in a hurry.

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Juicy chicken, crisp-tender baby bok choy, and a bold garlic-onion sauce come together in one pan in under 30 minutes. It’s simple, nutrient-packed, and perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Whether you’re eating low carb, keto-ish, or just trying to keep dinners lighter, this recipe delivers big flavor without unnecessary carbs.

Years of perfecting this recipe…

When my daughter was a toddler, we used to play a foodie game. I’d take her to a grocery store or the DeKalb Farmers Market and have her pick out a new-to-her fruit or veggie for us to bring home and try together.

While I hid avocado in chocolate cupcakes and beets in pizza dough, I also wanted her to pick out veggies and fruits to try, so she felt she had a choice.

Well, one weekend at the DeKalb Farmers Market, she spotted some fresh baby bok choy.

Then (nearly 20 plus years ago) neither of us had tried baby bok choy before. So we both figured we would bring some home to try. I had some chicken, so I decided to cook the bok choy with some chicken and spices.

While that first attempt was tasty and filling, over the years, I have worked on that recipe several times and have this new updated version. This Easy Low Carb Chicken and Bok Choy meal is so tasty and filling, and always garners rave reviews from friends and family. 

Why This Recipe Works

This is a deliciously spiced “healthy chicken” recipe—it’s designed to hit all the marks:

• Low carb: ~8g net carbs per serving
• High protein: keeps you full longer
• One-pan meal: minimal cleanup
• Fast and flavor-packed: ready in about 25 minutes
• Meal prep friendly: reheats well

Bok choy adds nutrients while keeping the carb count low, making it ideal for lighter dinners.

Ingredients

You’ll only need a handful of simple (mostly pantry-staple) ingredients:

• Olive oil, sesame oil, or any oil you prefer
• Butter 
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts 
• Fresh garlic cloves
• Onion 
• Ground coriander 
• Smoked paprika
• Turmeric  
• Baby bok choy 
• Unsweetened full-fat coconut milk 
• Salt and black pepper (or white pepper) to taste 
• Parsley (or cilantro) and red pepper flakes to garnish with

How to Make Low-Carb Chicken and Bok Choy

Step 1: Pre-prep

For this recipe, I usually alternate between prepping and cooking. For example, while the onion and garlic sautes, I rinse the bok choy and cut it up as well as dice the chicken. With that said, peel and chop the onion and garlic. 

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Heat the oil in a large skillet (or wok) over medium-high heat. Add the chopped garlic and onion. Cook for about 8 minutes until fragrant. While the onion and garlic cook, rinse the bok choy and cut off the ends of the stems. Then, chop it into bite-sized pieces. On a separate cutting board, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces as well.

Step 3: Add Bok Choy

Toss the bok choy into the onion and garlic mix and stir fry for 1–2 minutes until slightly tender. Then spoon this mix onto a plate and set aside.

Step 4: Cook Chicken

Add the butter to the same skillet (or wok) and add the chicken in. Then, toss on the spices. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes. Then, flip chicken pieces over and cook another 2 minutes. Pour in the coconut milk and simmer 1 minute.

Step 5: Bring It Together

Add the bok choy, onion, and garlic mixture into the pan with the chicken in spiced coconut milk and stir well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, optionally topped with red pepper flakes and chopped cilantro or parsley leaves.

Tips for the Best Flavor

• Don’t overcook the bok choy—it should stay slightly crisp.
• Cut chicken into even pieces for quick, even cooking.
• Use fresh garlic for maximum flavor.
• Cook on medium heat for a better sear.
• Use full-fat coconut milk for the best flavor.

Variations

• Extra veggies: Add mushrooms, chopped carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, or any of your favorite vegetables.
• Extra flavor: Add some grated fresh ginger.
• More fat: Cook with chicken thighs instead of breast for juicier chicken. But this would raise the cholesterol level of this dish.
• Make it vegan: Substitute tofu for chicken, and adjust the cooking time to make this a vegan dish.
• Make it pescatarian: Substitute shrimp or salmon for chicken.

What to Serve With this Chicken Bok Choy Dinner

• Serve this dish with some cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or steamed broccoli.
• With some zata’ar quinoa, or yellow rice, or any other grain.
• Or enjoy it on its own as a complete meal

Meal Prep & Storage

• Fridge: This dish can be stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Warm in a skillet or place in a microwave-safe dish and microwave for 30 seconds or 1 minute.
• Meal prep tip: Double the batch for easy lunches or dinners.

Is This Recipe Keto?

Yes—this recipe is fully keto-friendly. Make sure to use unsweetened coconut milk.

Why This is One of the Best Low-Carb Chicken Recipes

• Only ~8g carbs per serving
• Packed with protein and nutrients
• Uses simple, whole ingredients
• Ready faster than takeout

Baby bok choy is rich in vitamin C, A, and K, phosphorus, zinc, potassium, and magnesium. It is also a good source of calcium and iron. It adds crunch and fiber, while keeping the dish light and low in carbohydrates.

This simple skillet meal comes together in just 25 minutes (total time, including prep and cooking). And it’s the perfect quick dinner when you want something healthy, high-protein, and full of flavor—without spending hours in the kitchen.

Whether you’re following a keto diet, trying to eat cleaner, or just need an easy weeknight dinner, this recipe is low in calories and carbs, high in protein (with almost 40 grams of protein per serving), gluten-free, and perfect for meal prepping.

Plus, everything cooks in one pan—so cleanup is just as easy as the recipe itself.

Pair this chicken and boy choy recipe with some vanilla-infused rice, or some hummus biscuits, and follow it up with some of these caramel popsicles for a delicious and filling meal.

Thank you for sharing!