Chicken breast contains 31 grams of protein per serving, making it more protein-dense than most steaks.
Simple Family-Friendly Meal
Whip up a delightful dish in no time with our effortless family-friendly meal that’s perfect for hectic weeknights! Featuring tender chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and a zesty blend of spices, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering feast. Say goodbye to stress in the kitchen and hello to quality family time!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
The Story
This American suburban staple actually traces back to 1950s Japanese-American fusion when post-war occupation soldiers brought their wives' simple one-pan cooking methods to California kitchens—Japanese teppanyaki meets Midwest practicality, creating the ultimate busy parent's weapon that conquered every strip mall from Sacramento to Syracuse by the 1970s.
Regional Twist
In Louisiana's Acadiana parishes, they swap the olive oil for duck fat and toss the broccoli with cayenne pepper, creating a proper Cajun twist that'll wake up your sleepy weeknight routine.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 2 cups (473 ml) broccoli
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken breast
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- olive oil (to taste)
- 1 cup (185 g) rice
- salt and pepper (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- 2
Add chicken breast and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.
- 3
Add broccoli and cook for another 5 minutes until tender.
- 4
Meanwhile, cook rice according to package instructions.
- 5
Serve chicken and broccoli over rice, seasoning with salt and pepper.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Pound chicken breasts to 3/4-inch uniform thickness before cooking to ensure even heat penetration and prevent overcooking the thinner edges while the thick center reaches 165°F.technique3/4-inch thickness
- ✓Add broccoli to the pan when chicken reaches 155°F internal temperature, allowing carryover heat to finish the chicken to 165°F while perfectly steaming the broccoli.timing155°F chicken temp
- ✓Use a 2:1 water-to-rice ratio and bring to a boil, then reduce to lowest heat setting for exactly 18 minutes to achieve properly absorbed, fluffy grains without mushiness.technique2:1 ratio, 18 minutes
- ✓Cut broccoli florets to 1-1.5 inch pieces because smaller pieces overcook in the 5-minute window while larger pieces remain tough and fibrous.ingredient1-1.5 inch pieces
- ✓Heat your pan to 325-350°F before adding chicken (water droplets should sizzle and evaporate in 2-3 seconds) to achieve proper Maillard browning without burning the olive oil.equipment325-350°F
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Chicken breast contains 31 grams of protein per serving, making it more protein-dense than most steaks.
Simple Family-Friendly Meal
Whip up a delightful dish in no time with our effortless family-friendly meal that’s perfect for hectic weeknights! Featuring tender chicken, vibrant bell peppers, and a zesty blend of spices, this recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering feast. Say goodbye to stress in the kitchen and hello to quality family time!
The Story
This American suburban staple actually traces back to 1950s Japanese-American fusion when post-war occupation soldiers brought their wives' simple one-pan cooking methods to California kitchens—Japanese teppanyaki meets Midwest practicality, creating the ultimate busy parent's weapon that conquered every strip mall from Sacramento to Syracuse by the 1970s.
Regional Twist
In Louisiana's Acadiana parishes, they swap the olive oil for duck fat and toss the broccoli with cayenne pepper, creating a proper Cajun twist that'll wake up your sleepy weeknight routine.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 2 cups (473 ml) broccoli
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken breast
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- olive oil (to taste)
- 1 cup (185 g) rice
- salt and pepper (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- 2
Add chicken breast and cook until browned and cooked through, about 7-10 minutes.
- 3
Add broccoli and cook for another 5 minutes until tender.
- 4
Meanwhile, cook rice according to package instructions.
- 5
Serve chicken and broccoli over rice, seasoning with salt and pepper.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Pound chicken breasts to 3/4-inch uniform thickness before cooking to ensure even heat penetration and prevent overcooking the thinner edges while the thick center reaches 165°F.technique3/4-inch thickness
- ✓Add broccoli to the pan when chicken reaches 155°F internal temperature, allowing carryover heat to finish the chicken to 165°F while perfectly steaming the broccoli.timing155°F chicken temp
- ✓Use a 2:1 water-to-rice ratio and bring to a boil, then reduce to lowest heat setting for exactly 18 minutes to achieve properly absorbed, fluffy grains without mushiness.technique2:1 ratio, 18 minutes
- ✓Cut broccoli florets to 1-1.5 inch pieces because smaller pieces overcook in the 5-minute window while larger pieces remain tough and fibrous.ingredient1-1.5 inch pieces
- ✓Heat your pan to 325-350°F before adding chicken (water droplets should sizzle and evaporate in 2-3 seconds) to achieve proper Maillard browning without burning the olive oil.equipment325-350°F