This easy Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry combines crisp stir-fried golden chicken breast pieces with broccoli and onions in a sweet and spicy ginger stir fry sauce. Try this dish for an authentic Chinese stir-fry flavor that is much better than takeout.
Make a delicious and easy chicken and broccoli stir fry using just one pan! This recipe is perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight meal. It is always a hit with family and friends.
Enjoy this delicious recipe over brown rice, udon noodles, or whole-wheat spaghetti. If guests are coming, I love to serve it with crab rangoon, sweet pork fried dumplings, or crab dip.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Chicken broth: preferably low-sodium
- Soy sauce: low sodium as well
- Rice vinegar: or substitute apple cider vinegar
- Ginger: You can use freshly grated ginger or ginger paste. Ginger paste works just as well as fresh ginger; once opened, it lasts about one month in the fridge.
- Honey: or mirin. It is sweetened sake. If you can find it, you will love it in your stir-fries. Look for it in the Asian Food Section of your local grocery store. You can substitute with dry sherry and granulated sugar in a 3:1 ratio. So, add one teaspoon of sugar for every tablespoon of sherry.
- Sriracha: or chili paste (also known as sambal oelek)
- Chicken: boneless, skinless breasts or thighs
How to Make Chicken and Broccoli
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
First, whisk all the stir-fry sauce ingredients in a medium bowl. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then toss the pieces with the cornstarch in a zipper bag or medium bowl.
Heat a little vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook until it is golden brown on both sides and cooked through. If needed, work in batches, removing the cooked chicken to a plate.
If needed, add more vegetable oil to the skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for a few minutes, stirring several times. Add the broccoli and cook for a few minutes, stirring several times. Add two tablespoons of water, cover, and steam the broccoli for a minute or two. Plate the vegetables.
Whisk the sauce you set aside to ensure the cornstarch has not settled to the bottom. Add it to the skillet and cook over medium heat until slightly thickened. Add the cooked chicken and vegetables back to the skillet. Warm for 1-2 minutes or until the chicken is heated through.
Preparation Tips
- Dry the broccoli after washing and cut the crown into bite-size florets.
- Cut the chicken breast into small, thin, bite-size uniform pieces so they cook quickly and evenly.
- Stir-frying moves quickly, so your attention should be on the dish to ensure the chicken, broccoli, and sauce are not overcooked.
- For even more flavor, add roasted peanuts or roasted cashews
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a side of white or brown rice, Chinese noodles, or zoodles for a low-carb option. I also like to serve it with classic egg rolls, Asian slaw, and Asian chopped salad.
More Stir Fry Recipes
Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
Ingredients
Stir Fry Sauce
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons honey or mirin
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili paste
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 1½ teaspoons cornstarch
Chicken and Broccoli
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast or skinless chicken thighs cut in bite-size piece
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 small onion cut in half moon strips
- 1 lb. broccoli florets cut into bite size
Instructions
- Whisk together the chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, honey, garlic, sriracha, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Set that aside for a few minutes.
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Combine chicken and 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a zipper bag or bowl. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken in a single layer, cooking until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. Plate the chicken. If necessary, add 1 more tablespoon of oil and cook the remaining chicken, and plate it.
- Add 1 tablespoon oil to the same skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring several times. Add the broccoli to the skillet with the onion. Cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring several times. Add two tablespoons of water to the skillet and over with a lid or aluminum foil and steam the broccoli for 1-2 minutes. Plate the vegetables.
- Whisk the sauce that you set aside to make sure the cornstarch has not settled to the bottom. Add it to the skillet and cook over medium heat until slightly thickened. Add the cooked chicken and vegetables back to the skillet. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until the chicken is heated through.
- Serve over rice or Asian noodles.
Notes
- Dry the broccoli after washing and cut the crown into bite-size florets.
- Cut the chicken breast into small, thin, bite-size uniform pieces so they cook quickly and evenly.
- Stir-frying moves quickly, so your attention should be on the dish to ensure the chicken, broccoli, and sauce are not overcooked.
- For even more flavor, add roasted peanuts or roasted cashews
Nutrition
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melissa
Oh wow this chicken and broccoli stir fry was so delicious, the kids and hubby loved it. I loved that it was easy to make and healthy!
Mary
This is a great dish that makes for the perfect go-to. Not too hard, and a real crowd pleaser! It is a family favorite.
Kimberlee
This recipe is amazing! Thank you for sharing. I loved it!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Kimberlee!
Sonya K
Oooh this chicken and broccoli stir fry wass so good! I love how the crispy chicken, broccoli and onions are all coated in that sweet and spicy ginger sauce. I love that it’s a one-pan recipe with authentic Chinese flavours.
Melanie
This combines some great flavours to make a delicious and filling meal. I love that it is both simple to make and healthy too, It makes a perfect family meal.
Oaklee
This deal was yummy! I am so glad that I made it. Hubby and I enjoyed it a lot! Thanks for the recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Oaklee!
Stephanie
We have been cooking with broccoli a lot more since both of my boys will eat it (parent win!) and this was perfect! So much flavor, they didn’t even notice the broccoli in there very much.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Stephanie! I am glad that the boys liked it!
Kristine
YUM! My family loves this chicken stir fry! It is so nice to have a recipe that everyone loves and it so healthy and tasty.
Emily
Stir fry is always such a great option for dinner! I love this recipe, it was so delicious! Next time I am going to substitute tofu for the chicken and see if it is just as good. I will let you know!
Beth Pierce
I can’t wait to hear how it turns out!
Oakllee
Chicken and broccoli stir fry is always a solid choice. It’s simple but hits the spot for a quick, satisfying meal. Thanks for the tasty recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Oaklee!
Tara
I was searching for another craving and came upon this! It looks delicious and now on my dinner plan list. Thanks for a great recipe.
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Tara!
Catherine Kay
This looks like a delicious stir-fry recipe. It looks easy to make and doesn’t look like it has too many ingredients like most stir-fry recipes.