Chicken and broccoli don’t have to be boring. This easy recipe turns the bland mix into a combination you will actually want to eat on repeat.
Table of contents
What You Need
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped into bite size pieces
4 cups fresh broccoli florets
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp cornstarch
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups cooked rice (optional)
How to Make It
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Remove chicken and set aside. Throw some broccoli into the same pan with a splash of chicken broth. Cover and steam for 3-4 minutes or until bright green and tender.
Whisk together remaining broth, soy sauce, honey and cornstarch in a small bowl while broccoli cooks.
Add chicken back to the pan with broccoli. Drizzle with the sauce and toss to coat. You will want to cook for 2-3 minutes longer until the sauce thickens a little.
Serve over rice or eat as is. Takes about 20 minutes total.
How This Chicken and Broccoli Recipe Works
But it’s not like those other chicken and broccoli recipes, that tend to give you boring vegetables and bland chicken rather than something that is a treat to eat, but one that is also pretty easy on your waistline because this one eliminates the fun stuff. The honey soy sauce does all of that for the savory bits without going overboard on sweetness.
The key is not cooking the broccoli into baby food –it needs to have a little bite under your teeth when you’ve finished!
Variations of Chicken and Broccoli
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice
Make it a cheesy chicken broccoli rice casserole by stirring in cooked rice and 1 cup shredded cheese. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes.
Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
With a few modifications, this will turn into a chicken and broccoli chinese dish!_optional additions: for a more authentic chicken and broccoli chinese recipe, include: 1 teaspoon fresh ginger 1 sliced bell pepper pinch red pepper flakes
Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli
In your crockpot: You can also do this in your Crock Pot by putting chicken, sauce ingredients and broccoli straight into your slow cooker. Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
Chicken Casserole — Broccoli Cheese Rice Chicken Casserole Ingredients Needed To Make Step By Step Ingredients needed to make chicken casserole.
Combine 2 cups cooked rice, 1 can cream of mushroom soup and 1 cup cheese along with cooked chicken and broccoli. Bake covered for 25 minutes.
Storage Tips
They will last three days in the refrigerator. The broccoli does get a little more soft when reheated, but it’s still good.
I do not recommend freezing this dish – the texture of the broccoli is a bit odd upon thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it healthy to only eat chicken and broccoli?
Chicken and broccoli are not a long-term balance. So while both are nutritious, you need a variety of them to get complete nutrition. This combo is actually great for you when consumed as part of a varied diet.
Why do bodybuilders eat chicken and brocolli?
Bodybuilders adore this twosome because chicken, an exellent source of lean protein for muscle building, combines with broccoli, which offers vitamins and fiber at minimal caloric cost. It’s a quick way to hit your protein goals without going over on fat or carbs.
It’s too top chicken and broccoli bake?
For a baked version, toss chicken pieces and broccoli with oil and seasonings. Bake at 400 F for 20-25 minutes or until chicken reaches 165 F internal temp.
What ingredients are in chicken and broccoli sauce?
We have the traditional chicken and broccoli sauce which is made with chicken broth and soy sauce, along with cornstarch as the thickening agent. Some versions mix in oyster sauce, garlic or ginger for added seasoning.
Why do you cover chicken with foil in the oven?
Covering the chicken in foil not only helps it cook more evenly, it also keeps the top from browning too fast. It also helps to keep the chicken moist on longer cooks.
More Chicken and Broccoli Recipes
This simple recipe serves as an essential building block for many variations. You can also try mixing in other vegetables, such as carrots or snap peas. Or change the sauce and go for teriyaki or garlic butter.
The casserole version, in which the chicken broccoli and rice casserole can be prepared in a big batch on a Sunday night and eaten through Thursday, is the ideal form of meal prep for anyone doing some healthy cooking every weekend.
For a quick option on a busy weeknight, this chicken and broccoli recipe assembles in a snap and is made with items you likely already have on hand. Nothing fancy here, just good simple cooking that puts dinner on the table in a hurry.
If you’re looking for more healthy chicken recipes, check out our Greek Chicken Bowls for another delicious and nutritious meal option.
Easy Chicken and Broccoli
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- whisk
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth divided
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups cooked rice optional, for serving
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add to skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add broccoli and a splash of chicken broth. Cover and steam for 3–4 minutes, until bright green and tender.
- Meanwhile, whisk together remaining chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, and cornstarch in a bowl.
- Return chicken to skillet with broccoli. Pour in the sauce and toss everything to coat.
- Cook for another 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Serve over cooked rice or enjoy on its own.
