Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 lemons, juiced and zested
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breast dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides with sea salt, black pepper, and dried thyme.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place the seasoned chicken in the hot skillet.
- Sear for 6 to 7 minutes without moving it.
- Flip the chicken carefully.
- Cook the other side for 6 to 7 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic.
- Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the broccoli florets.
- Stir continuously for 2 minutes to coat with oil.
- Pour in 1/2 cup of low-sodium vegetable broth.
- Cover the skillet with a lid.
- Steam for 5 to 7 minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the broccoli.
- Toss gently to combine.
- Rinse the uncooked quinoa thoroughly under cold water.
- Bring the remaining low-sodium vegetable broth to a rolling boil in a separate pot.
- Add the rinsed quinoa to the boiling broth.
- Stir once.
- Reduce heat to low.
- Cover the pot with a lid.
- Simmer for 15 minutes undisturbed.
- Remove from heat.
- Let the quinoa rest covered for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the quinoa with a fork.
- Drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
- Add fresh lemon zest.
- Serve the sliced chicken with broccoli and quinoa.
Notes
Use an instant-read thermometer to cook chicken to exactly 165°F. Steam broccoli until tender-crisp instead of boiling it. Rinse quinoa before cooking to remove bitterness. This recipe supports balanced eating but should not replace medical advice or prescribed diabetes care.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Diabetes-Friendly Meal
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 395
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
