If your family loves takeout dishes anywhere near as much as mine, then you’re in for a treat. Basil Chicken with Broccoli tastes just as good as the classic take-out dish, but without the absurd amount of sodium and additives.
Now don’t get me wrong, I still treat myself to the real thing every now and again. The Thai place near my town will always have my heart! However, this quick and easy spin on the classic version of one of my favorite take-out dishes is undeniably tasty.
Not only is this Basil Chicken stir fry super easy to make, but it comes together in less than 30 minutes! It is the perfect dish for those busy weeknights when you are craving take-out, but don’t want to sacrifice your health and/or your wallet. Two other favorites include this Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry and Pineapple Chicken Stir Fry.
Whether you serve this dish on its own for a paleo-friendly meal or pair it with a side of quinoa for a heartier dish, this Thai-inspired recipe guarantees to knock your socks off. Don’t just take my word for it, try it out and see for yourself!
Looking for more easy stir fry recipes? Don’t miss this epic stir fry guide with over 50 recipes.
Key Ingredients
To make this healthy chicken recipe, you will need the following key ingredients:
- Chicken breasts: This is easily one of my favorite lean protein sources. Make sure to use the boneless and skinless kind for this recipe. Chicken thighs also work.
- Broccoli: This nutrient-rich veggie is loaded with beneficial vitamins and minerals. It also pairs beautifully with our delicious sauce! If you don’t have any fresh broccoli, frozen will work fine as well.
- Red onion: I love the sharp flavor this adds to the dish. If needed, you can swap it out for shallots or green onions.
- Soy sauce: Because this is a lightened-up version of traditional basil chicken, I am opting for a low-sodium version. For a gluten-free dish, feel free to use tamari or coconut aminos instead.
- Fresh basil: This tasty herb is absolutely essential (it’s in the name!) for adding tons of incredible flavor to the dish.
- Lemon: You will need both the juice and zest of a lemon, so using a fresh lemon and not lemon juice concentrate is super important.
Recipe Tips and Variations
Here are my top tips and tricks for making this healthy chicken and broccoli dish your own:
- Blanch your broccoli. To get that bright green, photo-worthy broccoli, try blanching it in boiling water for 2-3 minutes before cooking. When the broccoli turns bright green, remove, rinse it under cold water, and pat dry before proceeding with the recipe.
- Switch up your protein. Prefer beef, pork, or even shrimp? No problem! This dish tastes great with a variety of protein sources. For a vegan-friendly version, you can even use tofu or tempeh.
- Garnish with sesame seeds. For a delicious nutty flavor and a show-stopping presentation, garnish the dish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds just before serving it.
- Switch up your veggies. All out of broccoli? That’s totally fine. You can use any veggies you have on hand for this recipe. Some of my favorite choices include snap peas, bell peppers, green beans, and snow peas.
- Add some heat. Red pepper flakes aren’t doing enough? I’ve got you covered. Just before serving, drizzle some Sriracha over this dish for just the right amount of heat for a spicy food-loving family.
How to Serve Basil Chicken
This flavorful dish stands on its own just fine as a low-carb meal. However, for a heartier meal, here are some of my favorite ways to serve chicken and broccoli:
- With rice or quinoa. Traditional chicken and broccoli is usually served with white or brown rice. Quinoa always makes for a fantastic choice, as well as cauliflower rice if you’re looking for a low-carb option.
- With fried rice. For an extra burst of savory flavors, try serving basil chicken with some Healthy Fried Rice or Cauliflower Fried Rice.
- With noodles. For an Asian-inspired noodle dish, serve your healthy chicken and broccoli over a bowl of Healthy Peanut Noodles or Asian Zucchini Noodles.
- With egg rolls. What better appetizer for your healthy chicken and broccoli than some homemade egg or veggie rolls? I recommend either these Baked Veggie Egg Rolls or these Vegetable Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce.
- With edamame. Another wonderful appetizer to serve with your chicken and broccoli is a bowl of Sesame Soy Edamame. Healthy, filling, and so delicious!
How to Store Leftovers
Because this dish stores and reheats so well, it’s one of my go-to healthy meal prep recipes. To save your leftovers, you will first need to wait for the dish to cool down. Once it’s cooled, transfer it to an airtight storage container and store it in one of two ways:
- In the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
- In the freezer for up to 2-3 months.