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Healthy High Protein Chicken and Broccoli - Simple, Satisfying, and Weeknight-Friendly

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, see notes below)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (or avocado oil), divided
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (or 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup), optional for balance
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (for finishing)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Sesame seeds and green onions, for garnish (optional)

Method
 

  1. Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper. This helps browning and keeps the meat juicy.
  2. Make the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with chicken broth until smooth. Stir in soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (if using), and a pinch of black pepper. Set aside.
  3. Cook the broccoli: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and a big pinch of salt. Cook 3–4 minutes, stirring, until bright green and crisp-tender. Transfer to a plate.
  4. Brown the chicken: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Add chicken in a single layer. Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and cooked through.
  5. Add aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Stir in garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds, just until fragrant—don’t let the garlic burn.
  6. Sauce it up: Whisk the sauce once more, then pour it into the pan. Simmer 1–2 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened and glossy.
  7. Finish with broccoli: Return broccoli to the skillet and toss to coat. Turn off the heat and stir in toasted sesame oil for a final nutty note. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or soy sauce as needed.
  8. Serve: Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if you like. Serve over brown rice, cauliflower rice, quinoa, or enjoy it on its own for a lower-carb meal.