Warm Rice Salad with Three Broccolis

Name: Warm Rice Salad with Three Broccolis
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Rice 1.7 cups; Romanesco broccoli (already cleaned) 10.6 oz; Cauliflower (already cleaned) 2 ¾ cups; Broccoli (already cleaned) 7.1 oz; Chicken breast 1.1 lbs; Garlic 2 cloves; Thyme to taste; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

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Gluten Free
Lactose Free

Difficulty: Easy
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Serving: 4

PRESENTATION

When the chilly months roll around, Italian tables often feature a warm rice salad with a trio of broccoli that's both nourishing and comforting. I mean, really cozy stuff. This dish includes broccolo verde, cavolfiore (cauliflower), and the striking broccolo romanesco—known for its cool geometric shape. And toss in some juicy grilled chicken strips. Three broccoli salad that’s high in protein but still light and easy on the palate? Yeah, you’ve got it.

Italians love using what's in season, and this salad really, really showcases the best of winter produce—keeping things fresh and colorful. The rice? It absorbs all those flavors—making each bite moist and so, so satisfying. Honestly, it’s a delicious way to enjoy a healthy rice salad that’s neither boring nor heavy. Perfect for lunch or a quick dinner.

Across Italy, folks might swap in different local broccoli or add extras like toasted hazelnuts or cannellini beans—just for a unique twist. Which is great. This broccoli rice salad comes from seasonal produce while keeping things simple yet tasty. And look, the mix of colors from the three types of broccoli creates a beautiful dish. A blend of crunchy and soft textures in every forkful makes it special.

It’s not just another broccoli salad recipe—it’s something unique that's super easy to prepare. Plus, many people pack it for an office lunch since it holds up well and tastes just as good at room temperature. When you’re after an easy rice salad that’s hearty and bright, this dish gives you a true Italian mix of flavors and tradition. Head to the market for some fresh broccoli, and you’ll have a warm and colorful salad that brings comfort and joy. For real.

INGREDIENTS: Rice 1.7 cups (320 g); Romanesco broccoli 10.6 oz (300 g) - (already cleaned); Cauliflower 2 ¾ cups (300 g) - (already cleaned); Broccoli 7.1 oz (200 g) - (already cleaned); Chicken breast 1.1 lbs (500 g); Garlic 2 cloves; Thyme to taste; Extra virgin olive oil to taste; Fine salt to taste; Black pepper to taste

Preparation

How to prepare Warm Rice Salad with Three Broccolis

To prepare the warm rice salad with three broccolis, first clean and cut the broccolis: remove the base and leaves of the Romanesco broccoli 1, then separate the florets 2, dividing the larger ones into smaller pieces 3.

Do the same with the cauliflower 4 and the broccoli 5. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rice for the time indicated on the package 6.

Pour a drizzle of oil into a large pan and flavor it with 2 cloves of garlic 7, then add the cauliflower 8 and the broccoli 9.

Also add the Romanesco broccoli 10, thyme sprigs 11, salt, and pepper 12.

Pour in 2 ladles of the rice cooking water 13 and stir gently 14. Cover with a lid and cook over a low flame for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally 15.

Once the rice cooking time has elapsed, drain it and set it aside in a bowl, dressed with a drizzle of oil 16. While the broccolis are cooking, take care of the chicken: cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally 17, then season with salt 18 and pepper.

Place the chicken breasts on a well-heated grill and cook on both sides for a total of 10-15 minutes (the time may vary depending on the thickness of the meat) 19 20. Once cooked, keep the chicken aside for the moment 21.

After the 20 minutes of cooking the broccolis, remove the lid and discard the garlic cloves, then raise the heat and sauté them briefly to make them golden; it's preferable not to stir but to just move the pan 22. At this point, cut the chicken breast into slices and add it to the rice, which you have mixed with the broccolis 23. Your warm salad with three broccolis is ready to be enjoyed 34!