One-Pan Garlic Chicken and Broccoli with Sesame Seeds
A vibrant weeknight dinner with juicy chicken thighs and crisp-tender broccoli in a savory sesame-garlic glaze. This american-inspired quick meals ready in about 30 minutes pairs chicken thighs, broccoli, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 2 cups broccoli
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1 lb chicken thighs with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, then heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5 minutes until golden, flip, and cook 5 more minutes.
- Step 2: Add 2 cups broccoli florets and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, stirring to coat. Cook for 5 minutes until broccoli is crisp-tender.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp sesame seeds, then cook for 1 minute until sauce thickens slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pan Garlic Chicken and Broccoli with Sesame Seeds take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover One-Pan Garlic Chicken and Broccoli with Sesame Seeds?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Chicken and Broccoli with Sesame Seeds?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale One-Pan Garlic Chicken and Broccoli with Sesame Seeds for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with One-Pan Garlic Chicken and Broccoli with Sesame Seeds?
American quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
Related recipes
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
