Craving a delicious, healthy, and incredibly fast weeknight meal? This Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry recipe is your answer. Forget the takeout menu! In less than 30 minutes, you can create a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that’s loaded with tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and a savory sauce that ties everything together perfectly. This recipe is designed for busy home cooks who want a nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s simple, satisfying, and sure to become a new family favorite.
We’re covering all the secrets, from getting the chicken perfectly tender to balancing the flavors in the sauce. Get ready to make the best-ever Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry right at home.
Why This Is the Best Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
There are many stir-fry recipes out there, but this one stands out for a few key reasons. It’s not just a meal; it’s a solution for busy weeknights.
- Quick & Easy: This entire dish comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those hectic evenings when you need to get a delicious dinner on the table fast.
- Better Than Takeout: You control the ingredients, meaning less sodium, no MSG, and fresh, wholesome components. The flavor is cleaner, brighter, and more satisfying.
- Packed with Flavor: The homemade stir-fry sauce is the star of the show. It’s a perfectly balanced blend of savory, sweet, and tangy notes that coat every single bite.
- Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or mushrooms to make it your own.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this dish is in its simple, accessible ingredients. The sauce comes together with pantry staples, and the stir-fry itself requires just a few fresh components.
For the Stir-Fry Sauce:
- Soy Sauce: The savory, umami base of our sauce. Use low-sodium to better control the saltiness.
- Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the salty soy sauce. Maple syrup is a great alternative.
- Rice Vinegar: Provides a mild, tangy acidity that brightens up the sauce.
- Sesame Oil: A little goes a long way! It adds a rich, nutty aroma and flavor that is essential for a great stir-fry.
- Fresh Ginger & Garlic: These aromatics are non-negotiable for a truly flavorful sauce. Fresh is always best.
- Cornstarch: This is the key to a thick, glossy sauce that clings to the chicken and broccoli.
For the Chicken & Broccoli:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer. For another amazing chicken dish, check out this Honey Garlic Chicken.
- Broccoli Florets: Fresh, crisp broccoli is ideal. We’ll blanch it briefly to ensure it’s perfectly tender-crisp.
- Avocado Oil or other high-heat oil: For stir-frying without smoking.
- Cornstarch & Soy Sauce for Velveting: This is our secret technique for incredibly tender chicken.
The Secret to Tender Stir-Fry Chicken
Ever wonder why the chicken in your favorite Chinese restaurant is so incredibly tender? The technique is called “velveting,” and it’s surprisingly easy to do at home. By tossing the chicken in a thin coating of cornstarch and soy sauce before cooking, you create a protective barrier. This barrier locks in moisture, ensuring the chicken stays juicy and tender even when cooked over high heat. It’s a simple step that makes a world of difference in your homemade Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry.
How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Follow these simple steps for a perfect stir-fry every time. The key is to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking, as the process moves very quickly.
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch until it’s evenly coated. Set aside.
- Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Set aside.
- Blanch the Broccoli: Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for just 60 seconds. Immediately drain and run under cold water to stop the cooking process. This step ensures your broccoli is vibrant green and perfectly tender-crisp.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Combine and Thicken: Add the blanched broccoli to the hot skillet and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Give the sauce a final whisk and pour it over the chicken and broccoli. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and everything is well-coated.
- Serve Immediately: Serve your delicious Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry over steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onions if desired.
Tips for the Perfect Stir-Fry
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in a single layer to ensure it sears properly and doesn’t steam. If needed, cook it in two batches.
- Prep Everything First (Mise en Place): Stir-frying is a fast process. Have your vegetables chopped, your chicken coated, and your sauce mixed before you even turn on the stove.
- Use High Heat: A hot wok or skillet is crucial for getting that signature stir-fry sizzle and flavor. Just be sure to keep things moving to prevent burning.
- Don’t Overcook the Broccoli: The blanching step gives you a head start. It only needs a minute or two in the skillet at the end to heat through and get coated in the sauce. For another take on broccoli, try this Apple Broccoli Salad (coming soon).
Variations and Storage
This recipe is a great template for a variety of stir-fry dishes.
Easy Variations
- Add More Veggies: Sliced carrots, bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or water chestnuts are all fantastic additions. Add them to the skillet before the broccoli.
- Make it Spicy: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
- Switch the Protein: This recipe works beautifully with shrimp, beef, or tofu. Adjust cooking times accordingly. If you have extra chicken, consider making Slow Cooker Chicken Breast for meal prep.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best results, reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You can add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen the sauce if needed.
What to Serve with Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
This dish is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides:
- Steamed Jasmine or Basmati Rice
- Fluffy Quinoa
- Rice Noodles or Lo Mein
- A simple side of steamed edamame
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! The stir-fry sauce can be mixed together and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Just give it a good whisk before using it.
Yes, you can use frozen broccoli. We recommend thawing it and patting it dry before use to prevent a watery sauce. You can skip the blanching step if you are using thawed frozen broccoli.
To add some heat, whisk 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or a pinch of red pepper flakes into the stir-fry sauce before pouring it into the skillet.
This stir-fry is very versatile. Sliced bell peppers (any color), carrots, snap peas, mushrooms, onions, or water chestnuts are all excellent additions. Add heartier vegetables like carrots early in the cooking process.
The best method is called ‘velveting.’ Tossing the chicken pieces in a light coating of cornstarch and soy sauce before cooking creates a protective layer that locks in moisture, ensuring the chicken stays juicy and tender.
More Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this easy and flavorful dinner, be sure to explore more of our delicious recipes. We focus on creating meals that are both simple to prepare and packed with flavor, perfect for any night of the week.
Did you make this recipe? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry Recipe
Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry (Better Than Takeout)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of cornstarch until evenly coated. Set aside while you prep the other ingredients.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: low-sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Set aside.
- Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 60 seconds. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process. This ensures it stays crisp and green.
- Heat avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, being careful not to crowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet.
- Add the blanched broccoli to the hot skillet and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes. Return the chicken to the skillet. Give the sauce a quick stir and pour it over everything.
- Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and broccoli. Serve immediately over rice or noodles.
Notes
Tip 2: Prep all your ingredients ('mise en place') before you start cooking. The stir-fry process goes very quickly.
Tip 3: For a spicy kick, add 1 tsp of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
