A simple, savory, and satisfying homemade version of everyone’s favorite takeout dish.
Who doesn’t love a Chinese takeout on a Friday night? But what’s even better: an easy but wholesome version that you can make yourself in only 30 minutes! Keep this recipe handy not only for lazy weekends but for quick weeknight dinners too. With a savory sauce, succulent chicken, and fresh broccoli, this will satisfy all your takeout cravings while also being a healthy and nourishing meal!
The cooking technique of stir-frying originated in ancient China as a method of producing a quick meal using high heat to preserve nutrients while conserving fuel. This technique soon spread across Asia and beyond, becoming a key element of Chinese cuisine and influencing cooking styles worldwide.
This stir-fry is simple and ripe with opportunity for unique pairings. While it goes classically well on a bed of white rice, you can also serve it on top of Soba Noodles or even Quinoa Fried Rice. The mouthwatering sauce is great by itself, but it also makes a good base for flavor experimentation—check out some of my suggestions below!
Is Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry Healthy?
Not only is this dish high in lean meat protein, it also has plenty of fiber and vitamin C from the broccoli. As a whole, this stir-fry is low-fat and reasonably low-sodium, so it’s a much healthier alternative to mainstream takeout. If you want even less sodium, you can replace the soy sauce with coconut aminos, which also adds a spot of sweetness. If chicken isn’t your thing, try plant-based Crispy Baked Tofu, which is also high in protein. Really, with a sauce this good, you can add any protein you like—including fish! Just keep in mind that each protein has a slightly different cooking process.
Want to Kick it up a Notch?
As you can see, such a simple recipe is actually anything but boring; it just offers plenty of wiggle room for trying new flavor combos! When I make this stir-fry, I like to spice up the sauce with a half teaspoon each of cumin, red chili pepper flakes, and Chinese five spice. This adds a whole other dimension of flavor, and you can add more if you like it super spicy.
How to make ahead and store
You’re more than welcome to make the sauce and prepare the meat and vegetables beforehand; just make sure each ingredient is stored separately in its own refrigerator-safe container. Some cooks even recommend marinating the chicken in the sauce overnight to let all the flavors mingle and tenderize the meat, just make sure to whip together a second batch of the sauce to add to the stir-fry after the veggies.
After cooking, leftovers can be stored in a refrigerator-safe container for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply re-fry on a medium-heat stove with some extra oil until it sizzles and steams.
Serving Suggestions
Other than the pairings I’ve already proposed, one of the best ways to enjoy this dish is with a side of fresh, rainbow-colored veggie Spring Rolls. There’s a vibrancy to this side dish that can’t be dimmed!
If you’re looking for something more unique, you could also try this stir-fry as a Vietnamese Noodle Bowl. This Asian fusion will have your tastebuds tingling!
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, cornstarch, and sesame oil to create the sauce.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces to the skillet and cook until lightly browned and nearly cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Add garlic and ginger, and sauté for about 30 seconds to 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Add broccoli florets to the skillet, pour the sauce over the chicken and broccoli, and stir to combine. Cover and let simmer for about 5 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Serve hot, ideally over a bed of steamed rice or noodles.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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