Chicken and Broccoli Recipe

Tender chicken, crisp broccoli florets and the best stir fry sauce tossed together to make the perfect chicken broccoli stir fry!

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this chicken and broccoli recipe is a wholesome meal that is ready in under 30 minutes!

This homemade chicken and broccoli is made with simple, healthy ingredients and is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It can be enjoyed on its own or served over a bed of steamed rice.

Let’s explore techniques & variations to master the perfect chicken broccoli stir fry at home!

How to Clean Broccoli

Soaking broccoli in baking soda helps remove potential pests or residue from the surface of the vegetable

• Add about 1-2 teaspoons of baking soda per 4 cups of water
• Soak the broccoli florets for 10-15 minutes in the solution
• Remove the broccoli and rinse it thoroughly under running water to remove any residual baking soda

Chicken and Broccoli Recipe

This is an overview of all the ingredients and steps to make chicken and broccoli stir fry. Refer to the recipe card below for details

Ingredients

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect for a high protein meal
• Broccoli: Fresh or frozen broccoli. Broccoli leaves and stem can also be added
• Aromatics: Fresh garlic and ginger add flavor and aroma
• Cornstarch: Used to lightly coat the chicken and as a thickening agent
• Stir fry sauce: A delicious brown sauce made with oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce and sugar
• Oil: Neutral cooking oil like vegetable oil, avocado oil or peanut oil

How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

1. Prep the broccoli: Follow the steps in the ‘How to clean broccoli’ section for fresh broccoli. If using frozen broccoli, just thaw, rinse and pat it dry
2. Marinate chicken: Cut chicken into bite sized pieces and marinate it with salt and cornstarch for at least 15 minutes
3. Make the sauce: Mix all the sauce ingredients together in a bowl. This way it’s ready to go while stir frying
4. Cook chicken: Heat a pan/wok on high heat and add 3 tbsp oil. Fry the chicken until its golden and cooked through (about 5-6 mins). Set aside
5. Stir fry the broccoli: Add the broccoli florets (along with leaves and stems if using) and stir fry on high heat until lightly charred. The light char adds a smoky aroma
6. Add garlic and ginger: Make a well at the centre, add some oil if needed and stir fry ginger and garlic for 1 minute
7. Add the sauce: Pour in the sauce to deglaze the pan. Stir fry for 1 min for crunchy broccoli and 3 mins for soft/tender broccoli
8. Add the cooked chicken: Add the chicken and stir fry for 1 minute until it’s coated with the sauce
9. Extra sauce (optional): Add 1/2 cup water with 1 tsp cornstarch and simmer the dish. This will add more sauce to the dish. Adjust salt as needed
10. Serve: Serve chicken and broccoli stir fry with steamed rice and pickled broccoli stems

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Substitutes

No oyster sauce?

Vegetarian oyster sauce or hoisin sauce works well. If unavailable, use 1/2 tsp soy sauce + 1/2 tsp sugar

No dark soy sauce?

Skip it. It’s mainly added for colour

No light soy sauce?

Tamari or coconut aminos works too. If unavailable, use 1/4 tsp vinegar + 1/2 tsp salt

No sugar?

Honey or maple syrup

No cornstarch?

Arrowroot powder, tapioca starch or potato starch

Can I make it vegan?

Substitute chicken for tofu and oyster sauce for vegetarian oyster sauce or hoisin sauce