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    You Are Here: Home → Chicken

    Chicken and Broccoli Bake

    August 20, 2020 | Updated October 22, 2020 by Ryan Leave a Comment

    167 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    wooden spoon lifting out chicken, farro, broccoli and cheese from skillet
    spoon dipped in chicken broccoli skillet
    overhead shot of chicken and broccoli bake in cast iron skillet

    This chicken and broccoli bake is kicked up a notch by adding farro and freshly grated cheddar cheese. Best of all it is quick to make and all in one skillet.

    wooden spoon lifting out chicken, farro, broccoli and cheese from skillet

    I'm all about easy one dish meals - from chorizo sweet potato hash to chicken sweet potato skillet.

    When you were a kid did you like just plain broccoli? I'm guessing no, but did you like broccoli and cheese? I mean cheese makes everything better, but I feel like broccoli and cheese is one of those introductions to get kids to eat vegetables.

    I know it worked for me. Broccoli was officially the first vegetable I ate!

    I don't know about you, but I've been on a farro kick lately. My dad introduced it to me when he went on the Mediterranean diet. It has actually been around forever, but is making quite the comeback in today's world.

    Yes you can make this chicken broccoli recipe with rice, but why not add some extra nutrients and flavor? After one bite, you'll understand why I used farro.

    Oh and one other thing that makes this recipe great! It's all made in one skillet, so less dishes! So if you're feeling a little nostalgic or need a good recipe for your kids, give this chicken broccoli bake a try.

    Jump to:
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Benefits of Farro
    • FAQs
    • Pro Tips/Recipe Notes
    • Other Chicken Recipes
    • Chicken and Broccoli Bake
    overhead shot of chicken and broccoli bake in cast iron skillet

    Recipe Ingredients

    • Olive oil - cooks the chicken as well as adds flavor.
    • Chicken breasts - can also use chicken thighs.
    • Sweet onion and garlic - adds flavor to the chicken broccoli bake.
    • Farro - can also use rice or barley.
    • Italian seasoning - gives some hints of herbs.
    • Crushed red pepper - just a slight kick of spice.
    • Broccoli - fresh is always better.
    • Low-sodium chicken stock - can also use chicken broth to cook the farro.
    • Sharp cheddar cheese - use quality cheese.
    • Salt and pepper - enhances the flavor.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    1. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to skillet with the onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the chicken is browned on all sides. Stir in garlic for another minute.
    2. Push chicken and onion to the side and add remaining olive oil. Add farro, thyme and red pepper flakes and saute for 2 minutes.
    3. Add chicken stock, stirring everything together and bring to simmer. Reduce heat, cover and cook until farro is done, about 30-35 minutes.
    4. Add the broccoli and half of the cheese and stir until everything is combined, cooking for another 2 minutes.
    5. Top with remaining cheese and place under broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is brown and bubbly. Top with some parsley.
    process shots of how to make chicken broccoli bake

    Benefits of Farro

    Farro is an ancient grain that has grown quite a bit in popularity recently and for good reason.

    • Nutritious - high in protein, vitamin B and magnesium.
    • Fiber - higher in fiber than most other grains which helps digestion.
    • Antioxidants - big source of polyphenols, carotenoids and selenium which is associated with improved health.

    FAQs

    Can I Use Chicken Thighs?

    Yes of course. I made this with chicken breasts as most people (including my wife) like white meat better, but if you’re a fan of dark meat go with the same amount of chicken thighs.

    How Do I Know Chicken is Done?

    You know the chicken is cooked when it reaches 165°F with an instant-read thermometer or if you cut into the chicken and the juices run clear and there is no pink. Honestly, I always just cut the chicken to see when it is done. If it isn’t just cook slightly longer. With that said, with as long as this cooks, it would be hard to have raw chicken.

    Can I Use a Different Cheese?

    Yes. Cheddar is my go-to for this dish, but go with what you like - from mozzarella to swiss to Gruyère.

    Pro Tips/Recipe Notes

    • You don't have to cook your own chicken. Just use rotisserie chicken, which would be about 2 cups chicken.
    • If you don't want to use farro, just replace with rice or barley. Keep in mind the cooking time will change.
    • Don’t use pre-shredded cheese. It doesn’t taste as good and also has additional ingredients that you don’t need.
    spoon dipped in chicken broccoli skillet

    Other Chicken Recipes

    • Chicken Enchilada Skillet
    • Thai Chicken Satay
    • Maple Glazed Chicken and Hash
    • Balsamic Peach Chicken
    • Chicken with Garlic Herb Butter Sauce

    If you’ve tried this chicken and broccoli bake or any other recipe on Chisel & Fork, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube to see more tasty meals and anything else I'm up to.

    wooden spoon lifting out chicken, farro, broccoli and cheese from skillet
    Print Recipe
    5 from 4 votes

    Chicken and Broccoli Bake

    This chicken broccoli bake is kicked up a notch by adding farro and freshly grated cheddar cheese.
    Prep Time15 minutes mins
    Cook Time35 minutes mins
    Total Time50 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 478kcal
    Author: Ryan Beck

    Ingredients

    • 3 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 ½ lbs chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
    • 1 cup sweet onion, diced
    • 4 garlic cloves, minced
    • 1 cup farro, uncooked
    • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 2 large broccoli heads, chopped
    • 2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken stock
    • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Heat 2 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add to skillet with the onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the chicken is browned. Stir in garlic for another minute.
    • Push chicken and onion to the side and add remaining tablespoon olive oil. Add farro, thyme and crushed red pepper flakes and saute for 2 minutes.
    • Add chicken stock, stirring everything together and bring to simmer. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 30-35 minutes, or until farro is cooked.
    • Add the broccoli and half of the cheese and stir until everything is combined. Cook for 2 minutes.
    • Top with remaining cheese and place under broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is brown and bubbly. Top with some parsley.

    Notes

    • You don't have to cook your own chicken. Just use rotisserie chicken, which would be about 2 cups chicken.
    • If you don't want to use farro, just replace with rice or barley. Keep in mind the cooking time will change.
    • Don’t use pre-shredded cheese. It doesn’t taste as good and also has additional ingredients that you don’t need.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 497mg | Potassium: 216mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g
    Did You Try This Recipe?I love seeing what you make so mention @ChiselandFork or tag #chiselandfork on Instagram and please give a star rating below!
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    Hey there! Welcome to Chisel & Fork, a blog with tasty recipes and DIY projects. I'm Ryan and here you'll find hundreds of recipes ranging from true comfort food to vegan. Oh and if you like woodworking, you might just find your next inspiration. Read More About Chisel & Fork…

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