One Skillet Chicken and Broccoli
Skillet Chicken and Broccoli is a flavorful, easy meal that comes together in under 30 minutes using one pan. Bite-sized chicken breasts cook quickly alongside fresh broccoli, and the entire dish is tossed in a simple homemade stir-fry sauce. The balance of sweet, salty, and savory flavors makes this dish a go-to for weeknights.
For busy moms balancing homework, practices, and packed evenings, this chicken and broccoli recipe solves the dinner rush with just one pan and simple ingredients. It’s quick to make, easy to clean up, and still delivers a homemade meal the whole family will eat.
The other evening, we were debating on what to have for dinner – order pizza, make something quick at home, or just have cereal. Pitiful, isn’t it? I decided to make something quick at home as I had some chicken thawed out. I am so glad I did, this Skillet Chicken and Broccoli was a great meal to make when you basically have nothing in the pantry or refrigerator.
I find that I often lean towards meals that require minimal prep and cooking time during the summer like these Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, Crock Pot French Onion Chicken, or this Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta. Heating up the kitchen isn’t something I want when it’s 100 degrees outside.
One Skillet Chicken and Broccoli
This chicken recipe is simple and delicious – just what I like. This is a one pot meal (okay, two if you count the pot for the rice), and I like that even better. Simple ingredients: chicken, broccoli, and an Asian inspired sauce. It was a bit like take-out meets home-cooked!
Whether you’re using fresh broccoli or thawed frozen florets, this recipe delivers dependable results with only a handful of steps. It’s adaptable to different proteins and great for meal prep or quick lunches. Cleanup is minimal, and the ingredients are easy to prep ahead of time or keep on hand in your pantry and freezer.
Timesaving Tips and Variations
This recipe comes together quickly without sacrificing flavor. Try these tips to make it even faster or to customize it to your taste preferences:
- Use pre-chopped broccoli from the store to reduce prep time
- Substitute honey with brown sugar or maple syrup for a different sweetness
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or sriracha for heat
- Swap chicken breasts with thighs, shrimp, or tofu for variety
- Prepare the sauce up to 24 hours in advance for quicker cooking
These simple adjustments let you customize the recipe using what you have on hand. Whether you want to change the flavor or swap ingredients, this dish is easy to adapt.
Sides to Serve with Chicken and Broccoli
Pair this dish with simple, complementary sides to complete your meal. We usually serve white rice or cauliflower rice with this. Choose options based on your preferences; each one adds balance without extra effort.
- Easy Baked Potatoes (Crockpot)
- Asian Zucchini Ribbons Salad With Cherry Tomatoes
- Easy Instant Pot Buttered Potatoes with Garlic and Parsley
- Fresh Vegetable Rainbow Rolls
These sides enhance the flavors and texture of your chicken and broccoli without complicating prep or cooking time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. It keeps well for lunches or dinners. Reheat in a pan over medium heat or in 30-second intervals in the microwave. Add a splash of water to loosen the sauce if needed.
You can chop ingredients and whisk the sauce up to 24 hours before cooking. Store separately in the fridge until ready to cook.
Use chicken thighs or shrimp instead of breasts, swap honey with maple syrup, or add sliced bell peppers for extra texture and color. Tamari is a good gluten-free soy sauce alternative
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Tools Needed for Skillet Chicken and Broccoli
You only need a few basic kitchen tools to make this recipe quickly and efficiently. Choosing the right tools helps ensure even cooking and easy cleanup.
Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Sugar Skull Skillet, 10.25 Inch
Cutting Boards for Kitchen – BPA-Free Chopping Board – Different Sizes & Non Slip Handles – Reversible, Large Cutting Board Set – Unique Gifts for Cooks Who Have Everything – 3-Pack GrayPyrex Essentials (3-Piece) Glass Mixing Bowls Set For Prepping, Baking and Cooking, Preheated Oven, Dishwasher, Freezer, and Microwave SafeOXO Good Grips 3-Piece Angled Measuring Cup SetMagnetic Measuring Spoons Set Stainless Steel with Leveler, Stackable Metal Tablespoon Measure Spoon for Baking, Cups and Spoon Set Kitchen Gadgets Apartment Essentials Fits in Spice Jars
Ingredients for One Pan Chicken and Broccoli
This recipe uses simple, familiar ingredients that deliver bold, balanced flavor. Each one plays a role in texture, taste, or ease of preparation.
- Chicken Breasts – Boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces for quick cooking
- Salt and Pepper – Basic seasoning to enhance natural flavors
- Broccoli Florets – Fresh or thawed frozen for texture and nutrition
- Soy Sauce, Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey – Core sauce components delivering salty, tangy, and sweet notes
- Garlic & Ground Ginger – Aromatic spices that deepen the flavor profile
- Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce for better coating
- Toasted Sesame Seeds – Optional garnish, adding texture and a nutty finish
This one pot chicken and broccoli is simple to make, easy to clean up, and packed with flavor. It’s a delicious dinner option you can keep in your regular meal rotation.
How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Skillet
To make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey, cornstarch, garlic, and ginger until combined. Set aside. Cut chicken into one-inch pieces.
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cut-up chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until the chicken is browned on all sides and mostly cooked through. (You may need to add an additional tablespoon of olive oil if you have to brown the chicken in batches)
Once the chicken is browned, it’s time to add the broccoli – stir to combine. Continue cooking for an additional 3 minutes or until the broccoli is bright green and nearly tender. Stir in the soy sauce mixture, and cook for an additional 1 minute until the sauce has thickened and broccoli is tender.
Remove from heat and garnish with toasted sesame seeds. Serve over rice or noodles or as is.
For an easy dessert idea, try these Strawberry and Blueberry Lemon Bars or a fresh Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 – 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 – 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces. (I like to use Perdue Perfect Portions)
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups fresh small broccoli florets (or use a 12 ounce bag of frozen broccoli florets, thawed)
For the sauce:
- 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes. Chop broccoli into small florets. If using frozen broccoli, thaw and drain well.
- Heat 1–2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes.
- In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce, 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp cornstarch, 1 minced garlic clove, and ½ tsp ground ginger. Set aside.
- Stir broccoli into the skillet with chicken. Cook 2–3 minutes until just tender and bright green.
- Pour sauce over chicken and broccoli. Stir and cook for 1–2 minutes until sauce thickens. Sprinkle with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
Enjoy!
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Hi! Wondering how many servings this makes? Thank you!
Hi Shawna, it makes about 3-4 servings, and if you serve it over rice, you can stretch it a bit more.