Honey Garlic Chicken Broccoli Rice (Printable)

Savory chicken and rice with broccoli in honey garlic sauce, all made in one pan.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein & Grains

01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed

→ Vegetables

03 - 2 cups broccoli florets
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
05 - 3 green onions, sliced

→ Sauce

06 - 3 tbsp honey
07 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
09 - 1 tbsp rice vinegar
10 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
11 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

→ Liquids

12 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

→ Garnish

13 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
14 - Sliced green onions for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together honey, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and black pepper. Set aside.
02 - Heat a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of oil, then add chicken pieces. Sear for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly golden.
03 - Add rinsed rice, carrots, and most of the green onions to the pan. Stir to combine.
04 - Pour the sauce and chicken broth into the pan, mixing well. Bring to a gentle boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
06 - Lift the lid and scatter broccoli florets evenly over the rice without stirring. Replace the lid and cook for 8-10 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
07 - Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff rice gently with a fork.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds and reserved green onions.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor concentration.
  • The honey-garlic sauce caramelizes just enough to coat every grain of rice with something that tastes indulgent.
  • It's forgiving enough for beginners but impressive enough to serve to people who actually know their way around a kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rinsing of rice; it's what separates fluffy grains from a starchy, sticky mess that tastes more like rice pudding.
  • If you lift the lid before the 15-minute timer goes off out of curiosity, you're letting steam escape and adding extra minutes to your cooking time, so have patience.
  • The broccoli goes in at the end intentionally; adding it early results in mushy, sad broccoli that no amount of sauce can save.
03 -
  • Invest in real sesame oil and store it in a cool, dark place; it's expensive for a reason and makes a noticeable difference in the sauce.
  • If your chicken is cut larger or smaller than 1-inch pieces, adjust your searing time accordingly; you want color and slight caramelization, not gray and steamed.
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