30-Minute High Protein Chicken and Broccoli Bowls Recipe
A quick and flavorful 30-minute high protein chicken and broccoli bowl featuring a spicy-sweet sauce, perfect for a nutritious and satisfying meal. Ground chicken is browned and coated in a tangy sauce, then combined with seared broccoli and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions for a delicious, well-balanced dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken and broccoli:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 14 oz broccoli, chopped into florets
- 1 lb ground chicken
For the sauce:
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 4 tbsp sriracha
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1.5 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cornstarch
For the garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Green onion, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce and Mise en Place: Whisk together sweet chili sauce, honey, sriracha, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, ground ginger, and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth and well combined to ensure a lump-free sauce. Chop the broccoli into bite-sized florets and slice the green onion, keeping them separate for garnish.
- Sear the Broccoli Until Crispy-Edged: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add broccoli florets and let them cook undisturbed for 1-2 minutes to achieve a golden char on one side, then stir and cook another 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp with browned edges. Transfer broccoli to a plate and set aside.
- Brown the Ground Chicken and Build Flavor: Return skillet to medium-high heat, add ground chicken and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the chicken to brown in spots for maximum flavor development.
- Coat the Chicken in Sauce and Thicken: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the browned chicken. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes as the sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly, becoming glossy and viscous due to the cornstarch activation.
- Combine and Finish: Return the seared broccoli to the skillet and toss everything together for 30-60 seconds until well combined and heated through, allowing the broccoli to absorb the sauce flavors.
- Plate and Garnish: Divide the chicken and broccoli mixture into bowls. Garnish with a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions for a nutty crunch and fresh, sharp contrast to the sweet-spicy sauce.
Notes
- Allowing the chicken to brown undisturbed enhances flavor through caramelization.
- Do not overcook broccoli; it should remain tender-crisp for best texture.
- Cornstarch ensures the sauce thickens and clings nicely to chicken rather than pooling.
- Adjust sriracha amount to control the level of heat according to your taste.
- This recipe is perfect for meal prep and stores well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: chicken bowls, high protein recipe, chicken and broccoli, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, healthy bowls, spicy chicken, meal prep, stovetop chicken
