A quick and healthy meal, made with simple ingredients—perfect for busy weeknights.
Hey y’all—Gale here. You know those nights when you’re running on fumes, your kitchen looks like a hot mess, and dinner still has to magically appear on the table? That’s exactly when I reach for this one skillet chicken and broccoli dinner. It’s the ultimate easy weeknight dinner—high protein, low stress, and ready in about 30 minutes. Plus, it’s a one-pan wonder, which means fewer dishes to wash (and I think we can all agree that’s a win).
Now, I’ve tested a lot of healthy skillet recipes, but this one is hands-down a keeper. Juicy chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, a little onion and celery for flavor, and a quick homemade teriyaki-style sauce that ties it all together. It’s everything you want in a quick chicken dinner recipe—fast, flavorful, and family-approved.
And let’s not forget—this is also a great option if you’re sticking to low-carb chicken meals or just trying to get more simple, balanced recipes into your rotation.
Watch How It’s Made
Ingredients Needed for this Chicken and Broccoli Dinner
Basic ingredients come together to offer a whole bunch of flavor! Here’s what you need:
Main Ingredients (the Chicken and Broccoli)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 12 to 18 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, sliced
- 1/4 cup chicken broth (or water)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos (or tamari/low-sodium soy sauce)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable Sriracha
How to Make Our Easy Chicken Dinner
This healthy chicken recipe is super simple to make. Follow these easy steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium. Add the chicken and brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add broccoli florets to the pan and sauté until slightly tender. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
- Toss in the onion and celery and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Add broth (or water), chicken, and broccoli back into the skillet along with salt and pepper. Cook another 5 minutes, until chicken is heated through.
- Whisk together the sauce ingredients, pour into the skillet, and cook for one last minute. Done!
Reader Q&A: Skillet Dinner Edition
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yep! Just thaw and pat it dry first so you don’t end up with extra water in the pan.
What should I serve with this?
Brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice are all great. You can even wrap leftovers in a whole-grain tortilla for an easy lunch.
Can I swap chicken breasts for thighs?
Absolutely—just cook a little longer since thighs take more time.
How spicy is this with Sriracha?
It’s a nice medium heat. Scale it down if you’re sensitive, or leave it out completely if you prefer mild.
Can I meal prep this recipe?
100%! You can chop the ingredients ahead of time or cook the whole dish—it reheats beautifully for up to three days.
You’ll Also Love These Easy Skillet Dinners
Can’t get enough easy weeknight meals? I’ve got plenty more where that came from! Here are some other recipes I think you’ll enjoy:
- Skillet Balsamic Glazed Chicken and Potatoes (pictured above)
- Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet
- Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Toss
- Skillet Lemon Chicken with Roasted Vegetables
- Skinny Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
Remember to follow along on Facebook and Pinterest so you don’t miss out on any recipes!
Final Thoughts from Gale
When I say this is one of my favorite easy chicken skillet recipes, I mean it. It’s quick, wholesome, totally customizable, and perfect for busy weeknights when you want real food without the hassle. Whether you’re meal prepping, cooking for family, or just need a reliable go-to dinner, this skillet chicken and broccoli recipe checks all the boxes.
Try it out and let me know how you make it your own—I always love hearing your tweaks and swaps!
Warmly,
Gale
One-Skillet Chicken and Broccoli Dinner
Ingredients
Chicken and Broccoli Dinner
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 12 to 18 ounces boneless and skinless chicken breasts chopped into large bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup yellow onion chopped
- 1/2 cup celery sliced
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos optional tamari or lite soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable Sriracha
Instructions
- Add olive oil to a skillet over medium heat and brown the chicken on all sides, about 8 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside. Add broccoli florets and lightly sauté until slightly tender. Remove broccoli and set aside.
- Add the onion and celery to the skillet and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, until the celery has softened, and the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the broth (or water), chicken, and broccoli back to the skillet along with the salt and pepper. Cook ingredients for about 5 more minutes, until chicken is heated through.
- For sauce, whisk together ingredients and add to the pan for the last minute of cooking time. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Have you made this recipe?
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Editor’s Note: Originally published Oct 22, 2015
I need to lose 100 to 150#s in order to have hip and knee replacement. I take once a month treatments for my leukemia. I have no immune system. I’m diabetic, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Osteoarthritis, acid reflux. Due to cancer, no immune system and diabetes the drs day I am at 10 times greater risk of infections and complications. So where do I begin for exercise when I’m in pain most of the time and what diet plan. One for fast weight loss or diabetic. Was at 387# several years ago. Now no meds for diabetes. Don’t need..am at 330# right now. Need help for how n where to start. Need to get back to work but in no shape currently. Have workout bands just don’t know if there is video to purchase for DVD player. Need beginners exercise to get started and diet help…help me please.
Lisa, Please check with your doctor for a good recommendation about which exercise and diet programs will work best with your health issues.
We have tons of workouts for beginners, but to be on the safe side check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. 🙂
Try walking with Leslie Sansone. If you have access to YouTube she, and others, have lots of free full length videos downloaded on there. It is easy on the joints and a great way to ease into exercise. Skinny Ms has videos on there too. Walking is an excellent noninvasive exercise! It has helped me lose 50 pounds so far. Good luck to you.
Dear Lisa, I have lost 127 lbs. I eat high protein. low carb, (chicken, fish) Frozen vegetables are excellent to cook with and there are a lot of recipes on the net on how to make them. I have very debilitating arthritis and I HAD lymphedema and was very prone to infection until I started to loose weight. I cannot walk without a cane and or walker though as the arthritis is at that stage. I have 40 more lbs to loose to reach my goal weight which is 200 lbs. I also have to have knee surgery in the future. I find that CHAIR YOGA is excellent for keeping limber and the exercise is low impact and does not hurt your joints or cause you to have trouble breathing. I do 1/2 hr a day now but did YOGA twice a day at first. I have been at this 1/1/2 yrs now. My diabetes is eliminated now and I am off the medicine. It is not fun loosing weight. Snacks include carrots, celery….etc. There are a lot of YOGA excercise videos on Youtube. Good luck to you!
To to to salty family loved the flavors how can I lower salt without losing flavor?
Vicki, Use other spices, for example, with this dish maybe a little garlic powder, dry ginger, and a touch of heat with cayenne pepper.
This was DELISH, tastes just like Panda Express if you put it over some rice
We’re glad you liked it, Angela! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I need to lose 100. I have Osteoarthritis other than that no real health problems although I have been confined to a electric wheel chair. where or what kind of exercizes can I do when I’m in pain 90 percent of the day…please help thanks
Patty, I definitely recommend talking to your doctor prior to beginning any exercise program. Review our programs and workouts for “Beginners”, then discuss, with your doctor, which is appropriate for you. https://skinnyms.com/category/fitness/beginner-workouts/
when I import this recipe into myfitnesspal it has it at almost 350 calories per serving! (at 4 servings)… how do you determine your calories?
We use Edamam Nutrition Wizard. My Fitness Pal is most likely calculating the chicken with the skin on. This makes a huge difference in the nutritional data.
What do any of these comments have to do with the recipe that is featured!!!???!!!
Need to lose 25-30 lbs plz help
Darlene, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Healthy Weight Loss. Good luck!
This was a very good meal, very filling. I will definitely make this again!
Glad to hear it, Susie!
It says smart points 4, is that weight watchers?
Hi, Andrea. Yes, that’s correct. SmartPoints is a counting system for Weight Watchers.
Just used this recipe and it was wonderful. Super easy and my kids loved it.
Hi Angelina! We’re happy to hear you enjoyed our recipe. Especially your kids, they’re the toughest critics!
Where do find 4 smart points weight watchers? Recipe says 2 smart points, makes 4 servings
The nutritional data is for one serving.
Followed to the letter. Super quick and easy, yet delicious. I like the sriracha, gives it just enough spice and kick!
I doubled the recipe because my kids eat a ton. I only ended up with 6 1 cup servings instead of the 8 I should have gotten. Any ideas?
Brooke, Hmmm…possibly the chicken and/or broccoli were smaller than what we used for this recipe. I recommended increasing the chicken. Keep us posted. 🙂
Added a tad or ginger and Chinese 5 Spice. It was yummo. I also went light on the hot sauce.
made this tonight for dinner. soooooooo absolutely delicious
Meggie, Great! I’m so happy you enjoyed the dinner. 🙂
If I dont have veracha…for the sauce what could I use instead? Sriracha? Or would something else be better?
Heather, That would be fine. 🙂
I notice there was 3 types of Coconut Secret’s coconut aminos, which one do I use to cook this meal? Thank you.
Amy, I recommend either of these: Coconut aminos, Tamari, or Lite soy sauce.
This was so easy and delicious, we made it two nights in a row! The first night I subbed carrots for the celery because that’s what I had on hand. The second night I used a store bought stir fry mix. The sauce is phenomenal – just the right amount of kick – and couldn’t get any easier. Even my 2 year old devoured it!
We’re glad you found a recipe your whole family can enjoy!
Does the sauce add additional points or are they already figured in?
The sauce is included in the points!
Would regular Sriracha work instead of the vegetable sriracha linked in the video? Or are they not really the same? (Don’t want to have to order something online for this, assuming my grocery store doesn’t carry that.)
Hi Carl, Yes, regular Sriracha would work fine.
I made this tonight and it was delish. I added sweet red pepper and mixed in approx 1 Tbs of corn starch to the soy sauce mixture. Yum
John, Thanks for the tips. I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe. 🙂
How much of ingredients you need to make for 1 person?
Anna, Keep in mind you can cook the recipe, cool, and freeze for later.
For one:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped into large bite-sized pieces
1/2 cups broccoli florets
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
1/4 cup sliced celery
1/4 cup chicken broth, or water
1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Made this tonight everyone loved it … The only thing I did different was use cauliflower & broccoli. I also used yum yum sauce it was very tasty ❤️
Glenda, Great! Thank you so much for the feedback.
Yum! I also used regular sriracha and added fresh mushrooms. Served it over rice to those in the family not worried about carbs😋
This was very good. It uses basic ingredients that I tend to have on hand, so that is a plus. I added a little lime juice and honey to the sauce and a rough chop of cilantro when plating. The heat level with 2 T of sriracha was perfect for us.
Awesome
Delicious
This is a keeper, thanks! Made it exactly as written and the Sriracha really makes it flavorful. New to WW and am delighted to find a delicious recipe that’s not all fat free and processed foods.
Great! We’re so happy you enjoyed the Chicken and Broccoli recipe.
This was super simple to make and very flavorful. It was great for my Fast Diet – very filling. I’ll be using this again, switching up the meat with shrimp or scallops or mixing meats. May also add a few more veggies like carrots, zucchini, bean sprouts, water chestnuts and mushrooms. The sauce is delicious and has a nice kick. Definitely a keeper.
Karen, Thank you so much for the tips and feedback.
I made the mistake of using regular soy sauce vs low sodium soy sauce…way too salty! Will try again.
Awesome