30-Minute Asian-Style Chicken You Can Make in a Dorm Kitchen

A steady diet of dining hall food and pizza can be bland and boring. Going out to eat can be expensive and time consuming. So how can a college kid satisfy his craving for some real homestyle food, while cooking in a cramped dorm or off-campus kitchen? I've made it my mission to help you create a healthy and great tasting meal that you can prepare like a pro in just 30 minutes. 

Chicken—fried, baked, breaded, or grilled—is a classic dish that tastes delicious in so many different ways. When you feel like having a cheap and easy Asian-inspired cuisine night, I've got you covered.  All you need to get going is a saucepan, covered pot, and two baking sheets. I've come up with a savory Asian-style chicken recipe that is yummy and easy to make. In just half an hour, you'll be able to impress your friends with a home cooked meal sure to satisfy any appetite. 

Asian-Style Chicken with Broccoli, Kale, and Rice

• Prep Time:10 mins
• Cook Time:20 mins
• Total Time:30 mins
• Servings:4
• Easy

Ingredients

• 12 kale leaves
• 4 chicken breasts cubed
• 1 bell pepper diced
• 1 head broccoli
• 1/2 cup olive oil divided
• 1/4 cup soy sauce divided
• 1/4 cup maple syrup divided
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• Step 1

  Preheat oven to 350ºF.

  

• Step 2

  Since the rice takes the longest amount of time to cook, you'll want to get that out of the way first. Boil 2 cups of water with 1 cup rice. Once the water is boiling, add your rice and diced bell peppers to the pot. Turn down the heat to low and let it sit, covered, for 20-25 minutes.

  

• Step 3

  While the rice is cooking, rip up the kale into bite sized pieces and divide it equally onto two baking sheets. Pour 1/8 cup of maple syrup, olive oil, and soy sauce over each sheet of kale.

  

• Step 4

  Add a pinch of salt and pepper to the kale and then toss it up using tongs or your hands. Put the trays in the oven and let them cook for 15 minutes, or until crispy, mixing it every five minutes.

• Step 5

  In a medium saucepan, add 1/8 cup of olive oil and crank up the heat to high, but be careful not to burn the oil. Put your broccoli in the pan and cook it until it is tender or dark in color. Add a splash of soy sauce and a pinch of salt and pepper to your liking.

  

• Step 6

  In the same saucepan that you used for the broccoli, add 4 cubed chicken breasts. Cook them for about 10 minutes on medium-high heat, or until they are almost fully cooked. Bring down the heat to medium and add salt and pepper to taste.

  

• Step 7

  Add 1/4 cup of orange juice and drizzle the honey onto the chicken. Let the liquids simmer and reduce for about two minutes and then turn the heat up to high. Pour in your remaining 1/8 cup of soy sauce and stir until it gets a nice sear.

  

• Step 8

  Plate your food elegantly, show off to your friends, and enjoy. They'll never believe that you made it all in thirty minutes, and they certainly won't believe that you made it in your college kitchen.