Chicken Broccoli Quinoa (Healthy One-Pan Recipe!) (2024)

Written by Alia Kay on 30 Comments

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This Chicken Broccoli Quinoa recipe makes a healthy dinner that everyone in the family will love. It is well-balanced and very satiating, which makes it a great meal for weight loss. Learn how to make homemade chicken quinoa on the stovetop with this easy recipe.

Chicken Broccoli Quinoa (Healthy One-Pan Recipe!) (1)

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Quinoa Recipe

You are going to love this nourishing dish made with juicy chicken, fresh vegetables, and quinoa. It is perfectly seasoned and bursting with flavor, but is so simple to make. Everything gets cooked together in one pan, which means minimal cleanup is required once it is done. In addition, Chicken Broccoli Quinoa is a superb meal for anyone who wants to lose weight.

Chicken Broccoli Quinoa for Weight Loss

If you want to lose weight, you need to pay attention to both the quality and quantity of the foods that you consume. Calories matter, but so do the sources of those calories. You should eat healthy and balanced meals, which shut down hunger and prevent you from getting hungry for hours. This is vital for weight loss, as it prevents overeating and snacking between meals.

Two nutrients that play a key role in weight loss are protein and fiber. While protein and fiber are important nutrients on their own, they are even more powerful when combined. Eating meals that are high in protein and fiber keep you feeling full and satisfied, while also providing sustained energy.

This Chicken Broccoli Quinoa recipe is fantastic for weight loss, because it contains a good amount of both protein and fiber. Here is a closer look at each of the main ingredients in this dish:

  • Chicken: Chicken is an excellent source of protein, which helps you feel satiated for a long period of time. This can help you eat fewer calories overall. Protein is also necessary for building and maintaining lean muscle mass. Plus, chicken is a relatively low-calorie protein source, which makes it a great choice for weight loss.
  • Broccoli: Broccoli is a low-calorie vegetable that is rich in fiber, which also very filling. Additionally, multiple studies show that increasing your intake of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, can help prevent weight gain over time (source). Lastly, broccoli is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium.
  • Quinoa: Quinoa is a high-protein grain that is also rich in fiber. It is also a good source of complex carbohydrates, which provides energy throughout the day. Finally, quinoa contains a variety of vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, and zinc.

Overall, this Chicken Broccoli Quinoa recipe is terrific for anyone who is looking to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. It makes a nutritious dinner that is packed with protein and fiber, while also being relatively low in calories.

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How to Make Chicken Broccoli Quinoa

As always, the full instructions are listed in the recipe below. But here are a few notes about each of the steps required to make this recipe:

  1. Sauté the chicken: Cook the chicken pieces and then set them aside.
  2. Cook the veggies: Sauté the onion and celery in the same pan.
  3. Add the aromatics & herbs: Lightly cook the garlic, dried herbs, and crushed red pepper flakes until fragrant. Gently cooking these ingredients allows them to open up and release their aromas.
  4. Stir in the quinoa, broth & broccoli: Add the quinoa, broth, and broccoli. Leave everything alone to cook, until the liquid has been absorbed by the quinoa.
  5. Return the chicken: Add the cooked chicken back to the pan.
  6. Add the lemon & parsley: Finish the dish with a good squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of parsley.

Dinner is served! 🙂 That is all you need to do to make a good-for-you meal that is both simple and delicious.

Where to Get the Best Chicken

I am a huge advocate of only eating organic, humanely-raised meat and poultry. For the best organic chicken and other meats, I recommend using ButcherBox. ButcherBox is a very popular meat delivery company that sends hormone-free and antibiotic-free cuts directly to your home. Their meat selection includes organic chicken, grass-fed beef, wild seafood, and more.

If you want to learn more about ButcherBox and other similar brands, check out this post: The Top 7 Organic and Sustainable Meat Delivery Companies Online. In that article, I review a bunch of at-home meat delivery services that send high-quality meats to your doorstep.

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More Healthy Chicken Recipes

Looking for more good-for-you chicken dinner inspiration? Here are a some of my favorite recipes:

  • Easy Honey Mustard Chicken
  • Spicy Cajun Chicken and Rice
  • Chicken Avocado Quinoa Bowl
  • One-Pan Herb Chicken and Rice
  • Homemade Coconut Chicken Curry

If you make this Chicken Broccoli Quinoa recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating ★ below, because I love hearing from you! ♡

Chicken Broccoli Quinoa (Healthy One-Pan Recipe!) (4)

Chicken Broccoli Quinoa (Healthy One-Pan Recipe!)

Alia Kay

This Chicken Broccoli Quinoa recipe makes a tasty, nutrient-dense dinner. Learn how to make homemade chicken quinoa with this easy and filling recipe.

4.71 from 27 votes

Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Course Main

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 380 calories

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

  1. I recommend using organic chicken in this recipe for maximum health benefits.
  2. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days or in the freezer for up to three months.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Broccoli Quinoa (Healthy One-Pan Recipe!)

Amount per Serving

Calories

380

% Daily Value*

Fat

12

g

18

%

Saturated Fat

3

g

19

%

Trans Fat

0.1

g

Polyunsaturated Fat

2

g

Monounsaturated Fat

5

g

Sodium

614

mg

27

%

Potassium

886

mg

25

%

Carbohydrates

34

g

11

%

Fiber

5

g

21

%

Sugar

3

g

3

%

Protein

33

g

66

%

Vitamin A

502

IU

10

%

Vitamin C

46

mg

56

%

Calcium

66

mg

7

%

Iron

3

mg

17

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Keyword chicken broccoli quinoa, chicken quinoa

Did you try this recipe?Let me know what you thought!

This post was originally published on November 7, 2020. It has been updated to reflect new information and helpful content.

© Everyday Easy Eats. All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use any of my recipes, text or images without prior permission.

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Chicken Broccoli Quinoa (Healthy One-Pan Recipe!) (2024)

FAQs

Is chicken broccoli and rice healthy? ›

Rice and chicken are great for the body and they aren't some 'processed filler' and filled with tons of artificial junk- they're natural. The number of nutrients that are available in a combination meal with rice, chicken, and broccoli will roughly include 550 calories, 65g of carbs, 9g of fat, and 43g of protein.

How do you make quinoa taste good? ›

If you're serving it as a simple side, season it first. At the very least, toss it with salt, pepper, lemon or lime juice, and a drizzle of olive oil. To kick it up another notch, stir in chopped herbs, minced garlic, toasted nuts, or crumbled feta cheese, or use it in one of the quinoa recipes below!

Should I just eat chicken and broccoli everyday? ›

By relying on chicken and broccoli, you miss out on other essential nutrients in your diet that are equally important for a healthy body. Excess of anything is bad, and there's no count of folks that experience the side effects of eating chicken every day, such as an increase in cholesterol, UTI, and other issues.

Can I eat chicken and broccoli everyday for weight loss? ›

Eating just enough chicken and broccoli to maintain a calorie deficit (consuming fewer calories than you burn) will result in weight loss. However, eating too much chicken and broccoli to the point that you exceed your daily caloric requirement can hinder weight loss.

Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›

Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.

What is the healthiest way to eat quinoa? ›

Toss it in salads.

Quinoa is a complete source of protein and makes a great addition to a healthy salad. The combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats can turn a light side salad into a robust entrée.

Why should you soak quinoa before cooking? ›

*Soaking grains helps to remove some of the naturally occurring phytic acid in the grain, which helps improve digestibility and speed cook time. To soak: Rinse quinoa thoroughly then add to a large mixing bowl or pot and cover with twice the amount of lukewarm water (2 cups water, 1 cup quinoa).

Is chicken rice and broccoli good for weight loss? ›

Overall, we are not recommending the chicken and broccoli diet as a healthy, sustainable weight loss diet. However, incorporating broccoli and chicken in your balanced weight loss diet or following the broccoli and chicken meal plan for a couple of days to jumpstart weight loss can be a good option.

Is chicken and rice good for losing weight? ›

Yep, chicken and rice is a solid meal choice for weight loss. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, meaning it'll supply more protein for less calories than other cuts of meat like lean steak or salmon. Plus, the combo of carbs and protein will keep you satisfied for hours.

Does chicken and broccoli burn fat? ›

It depends on the person. Some people may lose weight because they are eating fewer calories, while others may lose weight because the broccoli contains a lot of fiber which makes them feel full. Another benefit of the chicken and broccoli diet is that it's a great way to increase your intake of vegetables.

How many calories is chicken rice and broccoli? ›

H-E-B
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 1 cup (227g)
How many calories are in Chicken Broccoli Rice? Amount of calories in Chicken Broccoli Rice: Calories 240Calories from Fat 63 (26.3%)
% Daily Value *
How much fat is in Chicken Broccoli Rice? Amount of fat in Chicken Broccoli Rice: Total Fat 7g-
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