One Pot Meal: Lighter Sweet and Sour Chicken and Broccoli

April 23, 2014

One Pot Meal: Lighter Sweet and Sour Chicken and Broccoli  Sarcastic Cooking

Soooo… I’m late. Not in that way! I was supposed to do a post for Meatless Monday on Monday. Then I thought I could get away with posting that on Tuesday and just be all like, oops! But, then Tuesday came and went and here we are at Wednesday.

Let me at least tell you what I was doing while I was neglecting you all.

After I crashed from my Cadbury induced sugar rush, I made a beeline headfirst into an Easter brunch food coma. Once the haze cleared and I got my bearings back, I realized I had made a promise to take Weezer to my six-year-old niece’s show and tell at school Monday morning. So, in lieu of starting to work on a blog post after putting Andy to sleep, I did as most moms of an infant do, and opted to get sleep so I could function the next day. Sorry.

I took Weezer to Kate’s kindergarten class. It is amazing that pets can come for a  little show and tell but there are signs posted everywhere about the room being a peanut and tree nut free zone. Really?

Lighter Sweet and Sour Chicken and Broccoli with Brown Rice  Sarcastic Cooking

Anyway, I felt like “Stayin’ Alive” should have been playing as Weezer strutted through the hallways of the school, stopping to take in only compliments and pats on the head. He is such a BS’er. Little do they know how he runs out the back door, rolls in fertilizer, or barks as soon as Andy falls asleep.

Sorry Weezer. I had to let everybody know what kind of dog you really are.

Kate proudly showed off her bowtie clad fur-cousin to her class. She told them how he likes to run and chase squirrels and eat treats. Kids even asked questions about him. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen.

After Weezer’s big day out, we spent the rest of the day playing outside at my sister-in-law’s house. It was fun to see all the cousins interact with Andy. It also made me happy that I skipped out on you guys so I could spend time with the fam.

I only have one set of cousins who happen to live in another state. They have always lived in another state. Growing up, it was always so much fun when they would come and visit. Some of my best memories are of times we have all spent together so of course I want that for Andy. Lucky for him his cousins are all just a short drive away.

Lighter Sweet and Sour Chicken and Broccoli  Sarcastic Cooking

When I got back from cousin-a-palooza, of course Andy wouldn’t nap and then it was go, go, go until bath and bed time. So, for another night you guys got pushed to the side. To be fair, I literally flopped into my bed and passed out at 8:45pm. No energy for blogging, but a whole day’s worth of sunshine and smiles!

But, I’m back now! I just downed a giant coffee and whipped up this blog post and have the easiest lighter version of a take-out fave. This would have been the perfect meal to make the other night when I was exhausted but luckily I had a ton of leftovers from Easter. This one pot wonder has saved me on several nights when I need to come up with something that requires little work because Andy starts screaming every time I try to sit down with him. How do they know when you are sitting?

Anyway, enjoy this easy dish!

One Pot Meal: Lighter Sweet and Sour Chicken and Broccoli

An easy, gluten-free riff on a take-out classic. Cooked in one pot in under thirty minutes!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil/ Canola Oil
  • 1 Cup Low-Sodium Chicken Stock
  • ½ Cup Brown Basmati Rice
  • 3 Cups Chopped Broccoli Florets
  • For the Sauce:
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • ½ Teaspoon Sesame Oil
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons Chile Garlic Sauce
  • Zest of 1 Orange
  • Juice of ½ an Orange
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons Agave/Honey
  • 2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar
  • 1 Tablespoon Water
  • Juice ½ Lemon
  • 1 Teaspoon Salt
  • ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken thighs into bite sized pieces.
  2. Add the oil to a large skillet. Heat over moderate heat. Season chicken with a little salt and pepper on both sides. Add chicken to hot pan and cook for about five minutes on each side. Once golden on each side, remove chicken and add to a plate off to the side.
  3. Add in the rice and stir it around to toast it for a minute or two. Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cover with a lid. After seven minutes, add the chicken and broccoli. Cover with a lid and cook for ten more minutes.
  4. While the chicken finishes cooking and the broccoli steams, make the sauce. Add all of the sauce ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine.
  5. Once the rice is tender, add in the sauce and fluff everything together with a fork. Serve right out of the dish.

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  • miss messy
    April 29, 2014 at 9:50 am

    I love the idea of a lightened up sweet and sour sauce. I’ve never thought of that before. This looks fabulous! 😀

  • Amy | Club Narwhal
    April 25, 2014 at 11:11 am

    Oh, cousin palooza is the best name for that kind of event 🙂 And this skillet looks to die for–all of my favorites in one pan!

  • julia
    April 25, 2014 at 9:37 am

    Only dirtying one pot these days is the key to my survival! 😉 I love this light sweet and sour chicken recipe. I am pinning this for later.

  • Susan
    April 24, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    You’re excused because your niece go to bring Weezer for show and tell. How freaking awesome is that? Also pugs always know when to put the charm on and start flirting, yet at home they fart and snore away (such lovely pets).

    So yeah for one pot wonders!

  • Tom @ Waegook Tom
    April 24, 2014 at 10:48 am

    This all sounds pretty delish, and something I can actually make with my limited kitchen space! And by “kitchen”, I mean coffee table and something that happens to be a hot plate/saucepan/steamer combination contraption thingy. On a health kick at the mo, so could deffo use this one to mix up what I’m currently eating, which seems to be just chicken, sweet potatoes and carrots.

  • Wendy | Around My Family Table
    April 24, 2014 at 12:32 am

    Love one pot meals for busy days- yum!

  • Sadye
    April 23, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    What a good aunt you are! That’s so cool that Weez got to show off for the kids.

  • Stephie @ EYHO
    April 23, 2014 at 7:46 pm

    Yay Weezer! He looked so cute in his bow tie. But this dish- sweet and sour chicken mixed with chicken and broccoli? Comfort food worlds collide!

  • Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
    April 23, 2014 at 2:27 pm

    Haha, I love the mental image of Weezer strutting through the halls to Stayin’ Alive! And, this one pot meal looks delicious! Love the flavors in this!

  • Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
    April 23, 2014 at 12:19 pm

    One pot meals are THE best, especially during busy weeks. Sounds like you had a great Easter weekend! Weezer + show and tell = so cute! I remember taking my baby brother to show and tell when I was in grade 3. He barfed while I was holding him and telling my class about him. I suppose that was a sign of the little hellion he’d turn out to be! 😉

  • Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
    April 23, 2014 at 9:08 am

    Perfect excuses for not being on this bloggy blog, I think… and you made up for the absence and then some with this yum yummy yumminess of a dish! And by posting pics on IG of Weezer in a bow tie. I die.

    • Stefanie
      April 23, 2014 at 10:00 am

      I am glad you approve!

  • francesca
    April 23, 2014 at 8:50 am

    Take-out fake-outs are the bestest. This looks delicious! Right there with you on one-pot wonder joys. Especially after my giant easter chocolate binge 🙂

    • Stefanie
      April 23, 2014 at 10:00 am

      OMG Easter candy is the best!!!!

  • Jane's Adventures in Dinner
    April 23, 2014 at 8:16 am

    Oh! I don’t even want to wait for dinner for this treat. Lunch sounds even better.