Healthy Chicken and Broccoli
Looking for a quick dinner that’s healthy, tasty, and filling? This healthy chicken and broccoli recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a simple stir fry that comes together in under 30 minutes once your chicken is marinated. You’ll get juicy chicken pieces coated in a savory sauce with tender-crisp broccoli that keeps its crunch. The best part is that it uses one pan, so cleanup is minimal. Pair it with a bowl of steamed rice, and you’ve got a balanced meal that feels like classic takeout but made right in your kitchen. This is my go-to chicken breast recipe on busy weeknights when I want something that’s both healthy and satisfying.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 large chicken breast cubed into bite-sized pieces
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Black pepper
Sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp garlic minced
- ½ tsp ginger minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp vinegar
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Other Ingredients
- Broccoli
- Cooking oil
- Steamed rice for serving
- Roasted sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Prep the Chicken
- Cube the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, mix with olive oil, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.
- Let it marinate for at least 1 hour. If you have time, overnight is even better.
Cook the Broccoli
- Heat your stainless steel pan with a little oil.
- Add broccoli and cook for 2–3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
- Remove from the pan and set aside. This way, the broccoli won’t overcook and will stay crunchy.
Fry the Chicken
- Make sure the pan is hot enough before adding the chicken to prevent sticking.
- Add the chicken and let it cook undisturbed for a couple of minutes to form a crust.
- Flip and cook until golden brown on all sides.
Mix the Sauce
- In a bowl, combine sugar, red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water.
- Stir until smooth and set aside.
Drizzle the Sauce
- Once the chicken is fully cooked, lower the heat slightly.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir until it thickens and coats evenly.
- Add the cooked broccoli back in and toss everything together for 1 more minute.
- Add a splash of water if the sauce gets too thick.
- Turn off the heat, garnish with roasted sesame seeds, and serve over steamed rice.