1-First Step: Prepare Your Ingredients Before you start cooking, get everything ready. Pat your chicken dry, season both sides with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Cut your broccoli into bite-sized florets. If you haven’t already, cook your rice or quinoa according to package directions. This mise en place approach makes the entire cooking process flow smoothly.

2-Second Step: Cook the Chicken Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add your seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Transfer to a plate, let it rest for a few minutes, then dice into bite-size cubes. This resting period helps the chicken retain its juices, making it more tender when you bite into it.

3-Third Step: Sauté the Broccoli In the same pan (which now has wonderful chicken flavor), add the remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil. Toss in your broccoli florets, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until bright green and just tender. Remove and set aside with the chicken. We want the broccoli to maintain some crispness since it will continue cooking when combined with the warm sauce later.

4-Fourth Step: Start the Cheddar Sauce Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the pan. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic! Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the butter-garlic mixture and whisk continuously for about 30 seconds to form a roux. This simple technique is what creates the base for our creamy sauce.

5-Fifth Step: Incorporate the Liquids Gradually whisk in the stock followed by the warmed milk, continuing to stir to avoid lumps. Adding the milk warmed from the fridge helps prevent temperature shock that can cause lumps. Add the pepper and salt. Simmer gently, stirring, until the sauce thickens (about 2-3 minutes).

6-Sixth Step: Finish the Cheese Sauce Lower the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and the sauce is smooth. Ah, that moment when the cheese melts into the perfect creamy consistency is pure joy! Take a moment to taste and adjust seasoning if needed this is your chance to make it perfectly suited to your palate.

7-Seventh Step: Combine Everything Return the diced chicken and sautéed broccoli to the pan with the cheese sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. The aroma filling your kitchen at this point is absolutely incredible!

8-Eighth Step: Portion and Store Spoon the cheesy chicken-broccoli mixture over a bed of cooked rice or quinoa. Sprinkle extra shredded cheddar on top if desired. For meal-prep, divide into airtight containers and let cool before refrigerating (up to 4 days) or freezing (up to 2 months). These individual portions make grabbing a healthy, delicious lunch incredibly easy during busy weekdays!