Name: Honey Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Brown Rice
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces or thinly sliced; 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil; Salt and black pepper to taste; 1/2 cup chicken broth or water; 1/2 cup honey; 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred); 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 4-5 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (optional, but recommended); 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat); 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water to create a slurry); Cooked brown rice (prepare according to package directions while cooking chicken); 1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets, steamed or roasted; Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish; Sliced green onions (scallions), for garnish

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When you’re juggling work, family, and everything in between, getting a nutritious dinner on the table can feel like an impossible task. That’s where this Skillet Honey Garlic Chicken comes to the rescue!

This one-pan wonder delivers big on flavor while keeping prep time minimal – perfect for those busy weeknights when you want to feed your family something delicious and wholesome without spending hours in the kitchen.

Packed with lean protein, fresh vegetables, and a sweet-savory sauce that kids and adults alike will love, this recipe proves that healthy family dinners don’t have to be complicated.

In just about 30 minutes, you’ll have tender chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, and fluffy rice all brought together with a irresistible honey garlic glaze. Plus, with everything cooking in one skillet, cleanup is a breeze – giving you more time to spend with the people who matter most.

Honey Garlic Chicken with Broccoli and Brown Rice

Recipe by Salvia

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

This recipe features pan-seared chicken breast or thighs coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory honey garlic sauce, served over wholesome brown rice with steamed or roasted broccoli.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces or thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (optional, but recommended)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a touch of heat)
1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water to create a slurry)
For Serving:
Cooked brown rice (prepare according to package directions while cooking chicken)
1 large head of broccoli, cut into florets, steamed or roasted
Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Sliced green onions (scallions), for garnish

Directions

Prepare the Chicken:
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
Cook the Chicken:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding).
Cook for 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce:
In the same skillet (no need to clean it), reduce the heat to medium.
Add the chicken broth (or water), honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using). Whisk to combine.
Thicken the Sauce:
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water to create a slurry.
Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce while whisking constantly.
Continue to whisk until the sauce thickens to a glossy, syrupy consistency that coats the back of a spoon. This should take 1-2 minutes.
Combine Chicken and Sauce:
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the thickened sauce.
Toss the chicken to coat it evenly with the honey garlic sauce.
Let it simmer in the sauce for 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to warm through.
Prepare Sides:
While the chicken is cooking, ensure your brown rice is cooked. Steam or roast the broccoli florets until tender-crisp.
Serve:
Ladle a generous portion of brown rice into bowls. Top with the honey garlic chicken. Arrange the steamed broccoli alongside.
Garnish:
Sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.

Make It Your Own – Tips and Variations:

Chicken Thighs: If you want to switch things up, chicken thighs are fantastic here! They stay juicier and pack more flavor than breasts.
Vegetables: Feel free to toss in other quick-cooking veggies with the sauce in that last minute – bell peppers or snow peas work beautifully.
Spice Level: Love it spicy? Add more red pepper flakes. Prefer it mild? Just use a pinch or skip them entirely.
Meal Prep: This recipe doubles wonderfully if you want leftovers for the week. Just keep the chicken and sauce separate from the rice and broccoli when storing – nobody wants mushy rice!

Enjoy your delicious and quick Skillet Honey Garlic Chicken!