Recipes
Chicken Breast with Broccoli
2025-11-23
This is the answer to the eternal weeknight-dinner problem: something quick, satisfying, and low on cleanup. Chicken breast and broccoli cook together in a single skillet in a matter of minutes, and a light soy-cornstarch sauce ties everything together without weighing the dish down.
The trick to keeping the chicken juicy is not overcooking it. Cut into small pieces, it’s done in about 5-7 minutes over high heat — leave it on the pan too long and it turns dry and stringy no matter how good the sauce is. If you’re unsure, cut into the largest piece; it should be opaque white all the way through with no pink left.
Broccoli works two ways here: stir-fried straight from raw alongside the chicken for a crisper bite, or blanched briefly beforehand for softer florets. Both are equally valid — it just comes down to preference.
The dish pairs naturally with steamed rice, noodles, or quinoa, which soak up the sauce and turn a light dinner into a fuller meal. For extra heat, add a pinch of chili flakes along with the garlic, and a little grated fresh ginger works well for extra fragrance.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (about 500 g / 1 lb)
- 300 g broccoli, cut into florets
- 2 tbsp olive or vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 100 ml chicken broth or water
- salt and black pepper, to taste
- juice of half a lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized cubes or strips, then season with salt and pepper.
- Cut the broccoli into medium florets; for a softer texture, blanch them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes first.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat and cook the chicken until golden, 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the broccoli and stir-fry together with the chicken for another 3-4 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, cornstarch, and broth, then pour into the skillet and cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding a squeeze of lemon juice if you like.
- Serve hot, on its own or over rice.
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