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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Kathy
I love making stir fry. It’s probably one of my favorites to make. I will have to give this one a try as well. I’m always looking for new ways to make stir fry.
Rose Ann Sales
Wow! This is such a really amazing recipe! It was absolutely delicious. I love it!
Tara Pittman
We loved it. We used chicken thighs because we just like them better. They cook up less dry.
Melanie Edjourian
Chicken and broccoli seem to go together really well. It’s one of my husband’s favorite combos and we love this recipe.
Amber Myers
We love stir fry. This was amazing. My whole family really enjoyed it!
Ieva
Brilliant easy recipe for a weekday dinner. Love the crunchy texture of broccoli and how flavorsome it is, whilst using staple ingredients!
Natalie
THis is a great quick dinner idea. I’m going to put this on my menu. My boys will love this I’m sure.
Mahy
So in love with how easy and delicious this came out!
Katherine
I love this quick homemade stir fry! So easy and flavorful.
Heather Johnson
so. yum!!!! i really love this recipe! thanks much – so easy
Janet Bradley
Could I use thighs instead of breasts?
Thanks, Janet
Allyson Zea
This would be such an amazing meal! So many tasty flavors!!!
Erin
This sounds amazing! I want to dive into my screen!
Amanda Livesay
This is my 12 year old’s favorite dinner! And it’s so easy!
Amanda
Always a huge hit for dinner with my family. Love making this and everyone cannot get enough!
Erik
Classic dinner option. Always love a good broccoli dish!