Chicken Broccoli Quinoa (Healthy One-Pan Recipe!)

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.

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.

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 purchasing organic, humanely-raised meat and poultry. This is because it is more nutritious and ethical than factory-farmed meat. For the best organic chicken and other meats, I recommend using ButcherBox.

ButcherBox is a popular organic meat delivery service that sends hormone-free and antibiotic-free cuts directly to your doorstep. Their meat selection includes free-range organic chicken, 100% grass-fed beef, heritage breed pork, wild seafood, and more.

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

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, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating ★ below, because I love hearing from you! ♡

Chicken Broccoli Quinoa (Healthy One-Pan Recipe!)

Alia | Everyday Easy Eats

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

4.83 from 17 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

 

US CustomaryMetric

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch cubes
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnishing

Instructions

 

• In a large pan or pot with a tight-fitting lid, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and season it liberally with salt and pepper.
• Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes, or until cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
• In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the onion and celery and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
• Add the garlic, thyme, rosemary, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
• Stir in the quinoa and broth. Increase heat to high and bring mixture to a boil.
• Reduce heat to low. Then, add the broccoli and cover. Cook for about 20 minutes, or until the quinoa has absorbed all of the liquid.
• Return the chicken to the pan. Add the lemon juice and stir to combine.
• Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm.

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

Cholesterol

 

82

mg

27

%

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.

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