Easy Dinner Using Chicken and Broccoli

A straightforward combination that's endlessly adaptable to your mood and pantry.

Chicken and broccoli might seem humble, but they're the foundation for countless weeknight dinners that actually taste good. Rice grounds everything into a satisfying meal that comes together faster than you'd expect. Whether you're after something light or need to feed hungry appetites, this trio of ingredients is forgiving enough to adapt to whatever you're craving.

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Garlic Mushroom Chicken and Broccoli Rice

Total Time: 30 minutes • Serves: 4

A quick, one-pan dinner featuring tender chicken and earthy mushrooms served over fluffy rice with fresh broccoli. Simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 cups broccoli florets
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1.5 cups rice
3 cups chicken broth
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
1 onion, diced

Instructions

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden, about 6-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
In the same pan, add remaining olive oil and sauté diced onion and garlic until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
Stir in rice, coating well with oil. Add chicken broth, thyme, and oregano. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
Return chicken to the pan, add broccoli florets, and stir gently. Cook covered for an additional 5 minutes until rice is tender and broccoli is crisp-tender.
Season with salt and pepper to taste, fluff with a fork, and serve immediately.

Quick Variations

Lighter Option

Skip the rice or use cauliflower rice, and let the broccoli and chicken shine with just a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil. This works beautifully when you're keeping things simple.

Hearty Option

Add the mushrooms generously, use brown rice or short-grain varieties, and cook everything together so the rice absorbs all the savory flavors. This version feels more substantial and comforting.

Vegetarian or Flexible Option

Swap the chicken for tofu, beans, or more mushrooms to keep the dish satisfying without meat. The broccoli, mushrooms, and rice create plenty of texture and depth on their own.

Simple Substitutions

Protein Substitutes

Turkey breast
Pork tenderloin
Tofu or tempeh
Shrimp
White fish like cod or halibut
Chickpeas or white beans

Carb Substitutes

Quinoa
Farro
Orzo pasta
Cauliflower rice
Millet
Barley

Flavor Boosters

Ginger and garlic
Soy sauce or tamari
Coconut milk
Lemon zest and thyme
Sesame oil and rice vinegar
Cumin and smoked paprika

Common Questions

Should I cook everything together or separately?

Both work. Cooking rice first, then searing the chicken and roasting the broccoli separately gives you more control over texture and flavor. For simplicity, a one-pot approach saves cleanup—just add ingredients in stages so nothing overcooks.

How do I prevent broccoli from getting mushy?

Add broccoli toward the end of cooking, after the rice is nearly done and the chicken is cooked through. If roasting, use high heat for the last few minutes to get the florets lightly charred.

Can I prep this ahead?

Yes. Chop the chicken and vegetables the night before and store them separately. Cooked rice keeps for about three days in the fridge, so you can make a batch and portion it out throughout the week.