If you want to impress friends and family at brunch or dinner with an authentic Italian dish that looks complicated but truly is not, the frittata is the way to go.
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Where would we be without Italian immigrants bringing their incredible recipes to America? I shudder to think of the bland meals we would endure. Italians have a unique gift for turning simple ingredients into masterpieces, and the humble frittata is one of them.
Translated from Italian, frittata means “fried.” The dish is similar to an omelette, scrambled eggs, or a crustless quiche. The base is eggs, and then anything else can be added. In this recipe, the additions include garlic, chicken, bell peppers, broccoli, and cheese.
As you can imagine, the flavors all meld together, resulting in a hearty, healthy, delicious frittata. I am obsessed with cheese, so I tend to add a little extra, but that is what I love about frittatas. Add a little extra of whatever you prefer. If you love peppers, go heavy on the peppers. If you love garlic, add a little more. It’s your frittata, so create it to your liking.
Is Broccoli Frittata Healthy?
The chicken adds a dose of protein, which helps keep you full longer, and the veggies give your body the antioxidants and energy needed to keep your mind and health on track. Since frittatas are flexible regarding ingredients, feel free to remove or add ingredients to suit your diet better. Vegetarians may prefer to leave out the chicken, or try this mushroom frittata instead. For a dairy-free option, avoid the cheese. When leaving out ingredients, consider adding potatoes as a filler.
The secret is in the pre-cooked ingredients
The beauty of the frittata is its ability to take last night’s leftovers and turn them into an elegant dish. Indeed, the frittata came about when previous generations of Italians wanted to use every bit of food they could on a small budget — nothing went to waste.
Still, if you are starting with fresh veggies or meat, you must fully cook each item before mixing it with the eggs. The time in the oven will not soften or cook the additions enough to make a tasty and safe frittata.
INGREDIENTS
- 6 ounces cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups broccoli florets, chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Preheat the oven and get your pie dish ready for the frittata.
Sauté
Cook the veggies with seasoning until they’re just tender.
Mix
Combine eggs, cheese, chicken, and veggies in a bowl.
Bake
Pour the mixture into the dish and bake until the eggs are set.
Serve
Cool slightly, then slice and enjoy your homemade frittata.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Store your leftover frittata in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. If there are multiple slices, you can stack them in the container with pieces of parchment paper in between each one so they don’t stick to each other.
if the frittata turns out watery or has an undesirable texture, it may be the eggs. Fresh eggs are best since the whites and yolks are firm. The firmer eggs lead to a fluffier frittata with a firm but soft texture. Check the date on your eggs before preparing your frittata.
Yes, you can cut the recipe in half; however, you’ll need to use the proper size pan when doing so. If making a 2-egg frittata, use a 6-inch pan; for a 6-egg frittata, use an 8-inch pan; and for eight eggs, use an 8-inch, 9-inch, or 10-inch pan.
After a frittata cools, you can slice it right in the pan and scoop out the pieces, or you can turn the baking pan upside down on a plate or platter and release the whole frittata for an impressive presentation.
It’s frustrating when you put in the effort to make a lovely dish, and it collapses. Fritattas can collapse after cooking if you whisk the eggs for too long when preparing them. Too much whisking leads to extra air in the eggs. When they cook, the air creates bubbles that collapse as it cools. Gently whisk the ingredients together just until blended.
Serving Suggestions
Like many egg dishes, a frittata can stand alone as a great meal and also pairs well with other foods. A favorite of mine is a slice of frittata with a bowl of fruit salad or sliced fruits. They also go well with bacon or breakfast sausage in the morning, at brunch, or for dinner.
Try a slice of hearty peanut butter banana bread alongside a slice of broccoli frittata for a nutritious and filling dinner. Muffins also make a great addition.
Broccoli Frittata
Ingredients
- 6 ounces cooked chicken breast shredded
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cups broccoli florets chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper diced
- 3 green onions chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a 9-inch pie dish with non-stick cooking spray.
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In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté broccoli and red bell pepper until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add green onions, garlic, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute.
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Whisk eggs in a large bowl, then fold in the cheddar cheese, shredded chicken, and sautéed vegetables.
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Pour the egg mixture into the prepared pie dish and bake for 40 minutes, or until the frittata is set and a toothpick comes out clean.
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Let the frittata cool for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature. DEVOUR!
Nutrition
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