Grilled Chicken Broccoli Bowls with Garlic Sauce Delight

by Emily on June 30, 2025

Are you ready to enjoy a delicious, healthy meal? My Grilled Chicken Broccoli Bowls with Garlic Sauce are packed with flavor and nutrition. This easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. Join me as we explore the simple steps to make these tasty bowls, plus tips for customizing them just how you like. Let’s get cooking!

$- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts - 2 cups broccoli florets - 1 cup cooked brown rice - 3 tablespoons olive oil - 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free) - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat) - 2 green onions, sliced - Sesame seeds You will need items like a bowl for marinating, a grill, and a skillet. For steaming, a pot with a lid works well. These tools help make your cooking smooth and easy. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, you need to marinate the chicken. In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, salt, and pepper. Make sure to coat the chicken breasts well. Cover the bowl and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, marinate it in the fridge for up to 2 hours. This adds great flavor to the chicken. While your chicken marinates, it’s time to prepare the broccoli. Steam 2 cups of broccoli florets for about 4 to 5 minutes. You want them bright green and tender-crisp. Once done, take them off the heat and set them aside. Perfectly steamed broccoli adds a nice crunch to your bowl. Now, let's grill the chicken. Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Take the chicken out of the marinade, letting any extra drip off. Grill each side for about 6 to 7 minutes. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. After grilling, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it. This keeps the chicken juicy. Next, make the garlic sauce. In a small skillet, heat the last tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes if you like some heat. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until it smells great. Then, remove it from heat and stir in sesame oil. This sauce brings a lot of flavor to your dish. To assemble your bowls, grab a large bowl. Start with a layer of cooked brown rice. Next, add the steamed broccoli and then the sliced grilled chicken. Drizzle the garlic sauce over everything. You want to make sure every bite is full of flavor. Finally, it’s time to garnish and serve. Top your bowls with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. This adds color and a nice touch to your meal. Enjoy your Grilled Chicken Broccoli Bowls with Garlic Sauce! To marinate chicken well, mix olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Make sure the chicken breasts are fully covered. Let them sit for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, two hours is even better. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavor it gets. Steam the broccoli until it is bright green. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes. You want it tender but still crisp. Avoid overcooking it. If you do, it will become mushy. To keep it vibrant, place the steamed broccoli in cold water for a moment. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and let the extra drip off. Grill each side for about 6-7 minutes. Make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through. The inside should reach 165°F. Always let the grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. To make the garlic sauce, sauté minced garlic in olive oil for 1-2 minutes. Add red pepper flakes if you like spice. Mix in sesame oil after removing from heat. Taste the sauce and adjust. If you want more heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. For extra flavor, add a splash of soy sauce. Pro Tips Marinating Time Matters: The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful it will be. Aim for at least 30 minutes, but if you can let it sit for a couple of hours, you'll notice a big difference. Perfectly Steamed Broccoli: To retain the vibrant color and nutrients, steam the broccoli just until tender-crisp. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes. Avoid overcooking! Check Chicken Doneness: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This guarantees that it's fully cooked and safe to eat. Customize Your Sauce: Feel free to adjust the garlic sauce to your taste. Add more ginger for a spicy kick or a dash of honey for sweetness if you prefer a different flavor profile. {{image_2}} You can swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs. Thighs stay juicy and tender. For a lighter option, use turkey breast. If you want a plant-based meal, try tofu or tempeh. These options soak up the garlic sauce well. Feel free to mix in other veggies. Bell peppers add color and sweetness. Carrots bring crunch and a pop of flavor. Snap peas or green beans give a nice texture. You can also use zucchini or asparagus for a fresh twist. Garlic sauce is great, but don’t stop there! You could use teriyaki sauce for a sweet touch. A spicy chili sauce adds heat and zing. For a creamy option, try a tahini sauce. Each choice offers a new flavor adventure. To store your leftover bowls, first let them cool down. Then, place them in an airtight container. Make sure to separate the chicken, broccoli, and rice if possible. This helps keep everything fresh. Store the container in the fridge. Your bowls will last for up to three days. When you want to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them well. You can use a microwave or a skillet. For the microwave, heat for about 1-2 minutes. Stir halfway to ensure even heating. In a skillet, add a splash of water and cover. Heat on low until warm, about 5 minutes. This will keep the chicken juicy and the broccoli crisp. Meal prep makes weeknight dinners easy. Start by cooking a larger batch of chicken and rice. Store them separately in the fridge. Steam extra broccoli and keep it fresh in a container. You can mix and match as you go. This way, you can create quick and tasty bowls all week long. Yes, you can use chicken thighs. They stay juicy and are flavorful. Just adjust the cooking time. Thighs may need a few extra minutes on the grill. Grilling chicken takes about 12 to 14 minutes. Cook for 6-7 minutes on each side. Always check for an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it's safe to eat. If you need a soy sauce alternative, try tamari. It is gluten-free and has a similar taste. Coconut aminos are another great choice. They are sweeter and less salty. Yes, you can prepare this recipe in advance. Marinate the chicken the night before. You can also steam the broccoli ahead. Just store them in the fridge until you're ready to grill. This recipe is naturally dairy-free. Use olive oil and sesame oil for flavor. No dairy ingredients are needed, so it fits well for dairy-free diets. Enjoy your meal without worry! Grilled chicken broccoli bowls are simple and tasty. You learned about the main ingredients, optional garnishes, and needed cooking staples. I provided steps for marinating, grilling, and making garlic sauce. Along with tips for flavor, I shared variations and storage info to keep your meal fresh. Enjoy trying this recipe your way. It’s easy to adapt and fun to make!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Healthy Ingredients: This recipe is packed with nutritious ingredients like chicken and broccoli, making it a wholesome meal choice.
Flavorful Garlic Sauce: The homemade garlic sauce adds a delicious depth of flavor that elevates the entire dish.
Quick and Easy: With a prep time of just 15 minutes, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights without sacrificing flavor.
Customizable: You can easily modify this recipe by adding your favorite vegetables or adjusting the spice level to your liking.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients for Grilled Chicken Broccoli Bowls

– 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

– 2 cups broccoli florets

– 1 cup cooked brown rice

– 3 tablespoons olive oil

– 2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)

– 4 cloves garlic, minced

– 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

– 1 tablespoon sesame oil

– Salt and pepper to taste

– 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)

Optional Garnishes

– 2 green onions, sliced

– Sesame seeds

Cooking Staples Needed

You will need items like a bowl for marinating, a grill, and a skillet. For steaming, a pot with a lid works well. These tools help make your cooking smooth and easy.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Marinating the Chicken

To start, you need to marinate the chicken. In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, salt, and pepper. Make sure to coat the chicken breasts well. Cover the bowl and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, marinate it in the fridge for up to 2 hours. This adds great flavor to the chicken.

Preparing the Broccoli

While your chicken marinates, it’s time to prepare the broccoli. Steam 2 cups of broccoli florets for about 4 to 5 minutes. You want them bright green and tender-crisp. Once done, take them off the heat and set them aside. Perfectly steamed broccoli adds a nice crunch to your bowl.

Grilling the Chicken

Now, let’s grill the chicken. Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Take the chicken out of the marinade, letting any extra drip off. Grill each side for about 6 to 7 minutes. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. After grilling, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing it. This keeps the chicken juicy.

Making the Garlic Sauce

Next, make the garlic sauce. In a small skillet, heat the last tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes if you like some heat. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until it smells great. Then, remove it from heat and stir in sesame oil. This sauce brings a lot of flavor to your dish.

Assembling the Bowls

To assemble your bowls, grab a large bowl. Start with a layer of cooked brown rice. Next, add the steamed broccoli and then the sliced grilled chicken. Drizzle the garlic sauce over everything. You want to make sure every bite is full of flavor.

Garnishing and Serving

Finally, it’s time to garnish and serve. Top your bowls with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. This adds color and a nice touch to your meal. Enjoy your Grilled Chicken Broccoli Bowls with Garlic Sauce!

Tips & Tricks

How to Marinate the Chicken for Best Flavor

To marinate chicken well, mix olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper. Make sure the chicken breasts are fully covered. Let them sit for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, two hours is even better. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavor it gets.

Cooking Tips for Tender Broccoli

Steam the broccoli until it is bright green. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes. You want it tender but still crisp. Avoid overcooking it. If you do, it will become mushy. To keep it vibrant, place the steamed broccoli in cold water for a moment.

Grilling Tips for Juicy Chicken

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and let the extra drip off. Grill each side for about 6-7 minutes. Make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through. The inside should reach 165°F. Always let the grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

Adjusting Garlic Sauce to Taste

To make the garlic sauce, sauté minced garlic in olive oil for 1-2 minutes. Add red pepper flakes if you like spice. Mix in sesame oil after removing from heat. Taste the sauce and adjust. If you want more heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. For extra flavor, add a splash of soy sauce.

Pro Tips

Marinating Time Matters: The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavorful it will be. Aim for at least 30 minutes, but if you can let it sit for a couple of hours, you’ll notice a big difference.
Perfectly Steamed Broccoli: To retain the vibrant color and nutrients, steam the broccoli just until tender-crisp. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes. Avoid overcooking!
Check Chicken Doneness: Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This guarantees that it’s fully cooked and safe to eat.
Customize Your Sauce: Feel free to adjust the garlic sauce to your taste. Add more ginger for a spicy kick or a dash of honey for sweetness if you prefer a different flavor profile.

Variations

Substitutions for Chicken

You can swap chicken breasts for chicken thighs. Thighs stay juicy and tender. For a lighter option, use turkey breast. If you want a plant-based meal, try tofu or tempeh. These options soak up the garlic sauce well.

Alternative Veggies to Add

Feel free to mix in other veggies. Bell peppers add color and sweetness. Carrots bring crunch and a pop of flavor. Snap peas or green beans give a nice texture. You can also use zucchini or asparagus for a fresh twist.

Different Sauces to Try

Garlic sauce is great, but don’t stop there! You could use teriyaki sauce for a sweet touch. A spicy chili sauce adds heat and zing. For a creamy option, try a tahini sauce. Each choice offers a new flavor adventure.

Storage Information

How to Store Leftover Bowls

To store your leftover bowls, first let them cool down. Then, place them in an airtight container. Make sure to separate the chicken, broccoli, and rice if possible. This helps keep everything fresh. Store the container in the fridge. Your bowls will last for up to three days.

Reheating Instructions

When you want to enjoy your leftovers, reheat them well. You can use a microwave or a skillet. For the microwave, heat for about 1-2 minutes. Stir halfway to ensure even heating. In a skillet, add a splash of water and cover. Heat on low until warm, about 5 minutes. This will keep the chicken juicy and the broccoli crisp.

Best Practices for Meal Prep

Meal prep makes weeknight dinners easy. Start by cooking a larger batch of chicken and rice. Store them separately in the fridge. Steam extra broccoli and keep it fresh in a container. You can mix and match as you go. This way, you can create quick and tasty bowls all week long.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, you can use chicken thighs. They stay juicy and are flavorful. Just adjust the cooking time. Thighs may need a few extra minutes on the grill.

How long does it take to grill chicken?

Grilling chicken takes about 12 to 14 minutes. Cook for 6-7 minutes on each side. Always check for an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it’s safe to eat.

What’s a good alternative for soy sauce?

If you need a soy sauce alternative, try tamari. It is gluten-free and has a similar taste. Coconut aminos are another great choice. They are sweeter and less salty.

Can I make this recipe in advance?

Yes, you can prepare this recipe in advance. Marinate the chicken the night before. You can also steam the broccoli ahead. Just store them in the fridge until you’re ready to grill.

How do I make it dairy-free?

This recipe is naturally dairy-free. Use olive oil and sesame oil for flavor. No dairy ingredients are needed, so it fits well for dairy-free diets. Enjoy your meal without worry!

Grilled chicken broccoli bowls are simple and tasty. You learned about the main ingredients, optional garnishes, and needed cooking staples. I provided steps for marinating, grilling, and making garlic sauce. Along with tips for flavor, I shared variations and storage info to keep your meal fresh.

Enjoy trying this recipe your way. It’s easy to adapt and fun to mak

Grilled Chicken Broccoli Bowls with Garlic Sauce

A delicious and healthy bowl featuring grilled chicken, steamed broccoli, and brown rice, topped with a flavorful garlic sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 3

Calories 450 kcal

Ingredients

2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup cooked brown rice
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1 tablespoon sesame oil
to taste salt and pepper
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
2 pieces green onions, sliced (for garnish)
to taste sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and salt and pepper. Add chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
While the chicken is marinating, steam the broccoli florets until they are bright green and tender-crisp, about 4-5 minutes. Set aside.
Preheat the grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade, letting any excess drip off. Grill for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
In a small skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using) and sauté for about 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in the sesame oil.
In a large bowl, layer the cooked brown rice, steamed broccoli, and sliced grilled chicken. Drizzle the garlic sauce over the top.
Top the bowls with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

Notes

Marinate the chicken for maximum flavor.

Keyword bowl, broccoli, chicken, grilled, healthy