You know those nights when everyone’s hungry now, the kitchen’s already a mess from breakfast, and you’re trying to make something that feels like a proper meal without losing your mind? Yep. This Honey Garlic Chicken with Broccoli is made for those nights.

It’s one of those recipes that feels like a little win. Sweet, savoury, sticky sauce. Tender chicken. Bright green broccoli that even the picky eaters won’t push aside (most of the time 😉).

Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken

There’s a lot to love about this recipe, but here are a few reasons it’s earned a permanent spot in my dinner rotation:

Quick and easy: From fridge to table in about 35 minutes.
Family-friendly: Sweet honey balances the garlic and soy, making it a hit with kids and adults.
Perfect for entertaining: It looks impressive but doesn’t require fancy skills.
One-pan friendly: Less mess, more time to relax.
Great leftovers: Tastes just as good the next day (sometimes even better).

It’s also one of those meals that pairs with just about anything rice, noodles, quinoa, or even tucked into lettuce cups if you’re feeling lighter.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 tablespoons sesame oil or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2–3 cups broccoli florets
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Green onion, for serving

For the Sauce:

2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
2 teaspoons sesame oil or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (black, white, or both)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Other:

Half a lemon
Extra green onion, chopped

Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken with Broccoli

A Few Ingredient Tips

Chicken thighs vs breasts: Thighs are juicier and more forgiving if you slightly overcook them. Breasts work beautifully too just keep an eye on them.
Broccoli: Fresh is best here, but frozen can work in a pinch. Just steam it lightly so it doesn’t get mushy.
Low sodium soy sauce: This helps control the saltiness, especially since the sauce reduces a bit.
Honey: Regular runny honey works best for smooth sauce consistency.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This recipe is super straightforward. No stress, no rushing, just simple steps that build big flavour.

1. Prepare the Ingredients

Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Try to keep them fairly even so they cook at the same rate.

Rinse and drain the broccoli florets and set them aside.

2. Make the Sauce

In a medium-sized bowl, add:

Sesame oil
Minced garlic
Honey
Soy sauce
Orange juice
Ketchup
Sesame seeds
Grated ginger
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix well until everything is fully combined. Give it a quick taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Set aside.

mixing together the sauce ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken

(This sauce smells amazing already that’s how you know you’re on the right track.)

3. Prepare the Broccoli

Using a steamer basket, steam the broccoli for 10–12 minutes, until just tender but still bright green.

No steamer basket? No problem. Boil the broccoli in a pot of water for 7–10 minutes, then drain well.

Set aside.

4. Cook the Chicken

Heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and cornstarch. Toss well so each piece is lightly coated this helps give the chicken a nice golden finish and thickens the sauce later.

coating chicken with salt, pepper, cornstarch

Add the chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked.

5. Add the Sauce

Pour half of the sauce over the chicken and cook for 6–7 minutes, letting it bubble and thicken slightly.

Then add the remaining sauce and cook for another 3–4 minutes until everything is glossy, sticky, and smells incredible.

Turn off the heat.

pouring the sauce mixture into the chicken

6. Bring It All Together

Add the steamed broccoli to the skillet and gently stir to coat it in the sauce.

Taste and adjust with extra salt and pepper if needed.

Sprinkle in more sesame seeds if you like, squeeze over fresh lemon juice, and finish with chopped green onion.

broccoli and sesame seeds added, about to squeeze lemon

Done. Dinner is served

Serving Suggestions

This Honey Garlic Chicken with Broccoli is super versatile. Here are a few easy ways to serve it:

Over fluffy white rice or jasmine rice
With brown rice or quinoa for a heartier option
Tossed with noodles for a stir-fry vibe
Served family-style in a big bowl for gatherings
As meal prep for the week it reheats beautifully

For parties or get-togethers, I love setting it out with rice and letting everyone build their own bowl.

Make It Work for Your Family

One of my favourite things about this recipe is how flexible it is.

For spice lovers: Add a pinch of chilli flakes or a drizzle of sriracha.
For veggie fans: Toss in snap peas, bell peppers, or carrots.
For gluten-free: Use gluten-free soy sauce.
For kids: Keep it simple the honey keeps things sweet and approachable.

It’s one of those meals where you can tweak things without worrying about messing it up.

Storing and Reheating

Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet or microwave. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much.

This is one of those dishes that tastes just as good the next day perfect for quick lunches.

If you’re looking for something quick, crowd-pleasing, and full of flavor, this one’s a keeper.

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