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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Lisa
This is one of my favorite dishes to make and my family loves it. I need to make this soon since it’s been a while since I made it. Thanks for the reminder
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Lisa!
Stacie
I literally can’t wait to make this. It looks like the healthier version of something you’d get if you buy takeout. It’s exactly what I needed to see today!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Stacie! Enjoy!
Paula R
So much better than takeout! Loved this chicken and broccoli recipe!
Beth Pierce
I agree, Paula! Thank you!
Vicky
This Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry is an absolute game-changer! The chicken was crisp, while the broccoli and onions were nice and tender. I loved the stir fry sauce – it added a slightly sweet and slightly spicy flavor.
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked it, Vicky!
Elisa
Love this Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe, so easy, delicious, and healthy. We love to make this recipe for dinner. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Elisa!
Jackie
I didn’t have rice wine vinegar, so I used apple cider instead, and it still turned out great! Can I make this with beef and recommendations on the type/cut if so?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can, I like a cut called petite shoulder but you could use flank steak or skirt steak just slice it real thin. Tenderloin is always a good choice but it is pricey. Switch the chicken broth to beef broth for best results. Enjoy!
Sam
Excellent one, very tasty! Thank you for this recipe.
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome. Sam!
laura
I love it. Chicken and broroccoli is one of my favorite meals. My kids love it. Matter of fact I’m going to make this for dinner this evening. thanks for sharing this lovely recipe with us.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Mel
Oh wow, this was great stir fry! I love broccoli and chicken so I knew this would be a hit. Next time I make this I am going to add some matchstick carrots. Thanks for the great recipe.
Marysa
Such an easy recipe, and so flavorful. I love ginger and garlic sauces and this is a great way to get in some veggies.
Beth Pierce
So true Marysa! So glad that you liked it.
Catalina
Now I know what I will make for dinner tonight! It looks so delicious!
Lori Bosworth
I love this recipe. So yummy I love both chicken and broccoli so I knew it was going to be a winner. Thanks for the great recipe.
Lynndee
I’ve never tried using chicken with broccoli. I’ve just always used beef. Will try this.
IceCreamnStickyFingers
Yum. This looks way better than any take out you could have. I’ll have to make some for me and my son. I just need to grab a few things from the store.
Gervin Khan
Wow! This was absolutely delicious. The combination is perfect and the creaminess of the sauce makes it so enticing and tempting!
Melissa Cushing
This is delicious and I love to making this for my family. My kids love this dish when we order from the local Chinese restaurant… BUT this is so much better!