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Growing up, I always ordered chicken and broccoli when we got Chinese food. It was my favorite, especially with white rice. This simple yet flavorful combination is a staple in various cuisines around the world. It’s one of those classic dishes you have to learn to make at home because it tastes so good!
Table of Contents
- Why Everyone Loves This Recipe:
- Do I Have To Use Chicken Breast?
- Tips and Shortcuts for making Chicken and Broccoli:
- Ingredients: (Full Recipe Below)
- How to Make Chicken & Broccoli:
- Prep your chicken
- Stir-Fry your chicken
- Make your sauce, and add it to your wok!
- Mix everything together
- Substuitions and Recipe Variations
- Chicken and Broccoli Recipe
Why Everyone Loves This Recipe:
1. Authentic Takeout Flavor: My recipe replicates the authentic flavors of your favorite takeout chicken and broccoli dish. This tastes just like if you ordered out, but so much better.
2. Versatile: Whether you prefer your dish spicier or sweeter or would rather add your favorite veggies instead of broccoli, this recipe allows you to customize it to suit your taste preferences.
3. Healthier Alternative: By using fresh ingredients and controlling the cooking process, you can enjoy a healthier version of this popular takeout dish without sacrificing taste. You can control the sodium, sugar, and fat content!
Do I Have To Use Chicken Breast?
Most people prefer to use Chicken Breasts, but you can also use chicken thighs because with their higher fat content, they are harder to overcook, and all that extra fat equals nothing but flavor flavor flavor!
Tips and Shortcuts for making Chicken and Broccoli:
1. Use pre-cut or frozen broccoli to save time, but remember to pat it dry to prevent it from becoming too soggy while cooking.
3. To make it spicier, add hot chili oil, sriracha, red pepper flakes, or your favorite hot sauce.
4. Substitute plain white rice with fried rice or noodles for a different twist.
Try out my Fried Rice or Lo Mein recipe and replace the meat with your Chicken and Broccoli!
Ingredients: (Full Recipe Below)
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts- love chicken breasts for this recipe because that’s what’s used when you order takeout, but you can use thigh meat too!
- Broccoli Florets– Fresh is always best but you can use frozen
- Soy Sauce- This adds sodium and a umami flavor
- Chicken Broth- This adds sodium and flavor
- Minced Garlic- Garlic makes everything better!
- Sesame Oil– This is what you’ll sear your chicken in, it adds flavor!
- Hoison Sauce– This adds a little sweetness to your chicken and broccoli; it’s a must!
- Cornstarch- This will thicken your sauce
- Sugar– This is a takeout treat, so adjust the sugar as needed!
- Shao xing Wine (optional but recommended)– If you can find it, I reccomend it, it adds that authentic Chinese American flavor
- Rice Wine Vinegar– I love using rice wine vinegar!
- Water– For the chicken marinade
- Baking Soda– This adds texture to the chicken
How to Make Chicken & Broccoli:
Prep your chicken
1. Combine baking powder, cornstarch, cold water, and rice wine vinegar with sliced chicken.
Stir-Fry your chicken
2. In a large wok, add in sesame oil and sear chicken until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove.
Make your sauce, and add it to your wok!
Sure! Here’s a clearer version:
Combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, shao xing wine, and chicken broth in a small bowl. Pour the mixture into the wok. Add garlic to the same pan, then pour in the sauce mixture and allow it to combine. Finally, add the cornstarch slurry.
Mix everything together
Add steamed broccoli and chicken, and combine them. Serve the chicken and broccoli over cooked white rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
Substuitions and Recipe Variations
For Chicken:
- Tofu: Use firm or extra-firm tofu, pressed and cubed.
- Tempeh: A nutty-flavored protein that can be marinated similarly to tofu.
- Shrimp: Adds a seafood twist to the dish.
- Pork: Thinly sliced pork loin or tenderloin, marinated and stir-fried.
- Beef: Thinly sliced flank steak or sirloin, marinated and cooked similarly to chicken.
- Seitan: A high-protein, meat-like texture perfect for vegetarians or vegans.
Recipe Subsititions For Broccoli:
- Cauliflower: Similar texture and can be stir-fried just like broccoli.
- Green Beans: Crunchy and fresh, they make a good substitute.
- Asparagus: Adds a unique flavor and works well in stir-fries.
- Bell Peppers: Add color and sweetness to the dish.
- Snow Peas: Provide a crisp texture and complement the flavors well.
- Bok Choy: Adds a leafy green element to the dish.
Chicken and Broccoli
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
- 2 cups steamed broccoli florets
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp cold water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 2 tbsps sesame oil for frying
- 3 small garlic gloves minced
For the sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth low sodium
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup hoison
- 1 tbsps shaoxing wine optional but recommened
- ⅛ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp corn starch
- 2 tbsp cold water
Instructions
Prepare the chicken
- Could you start by slicing the chicken into thin slices? You can freeze it for 30 minutes to make it easier to slice. Then, add sliced chicken to a large bowl. Next, add baking soda, cornstarch, rice wine vinegar, and cold water. Mix well and set aside.
Sear the chicken
- In a large wok, add 1 tbsp of sesame oil, and sear the chicken on medium high heat, mixing occasionally, until it is golden brown. Remove and set aside,
Prepare the sauce
- In the same wok where you cooked the chicken, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and cook the garlic until fragrant. Then, add soy sauce, chicken broth, hoisin, Shaoxing wine, and sugar. Mix everything together. In a separate bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to make a cornstarch slurry. Slowly add the slurry to the sauce, mix well, and simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Mix it all together
- Add in cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, and mix. Serve with favorite sauce! Enjoy hot.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Baby! I followed the recipe and was skeptical at first cause it was so easy and not that many ingredients but Toni doesn’t steer us wrong with her recipes so I trusted the process. I gave it a taste before serving my family and my jaw dropped cause I couldn’t believe how flavorful and delicious it was not to mention how much it tastes like carry out…I promise I feel like I won’t be ordering this out anymore cause it is just that good.
I tried this recipe for dinner and my family totally loved it. Thank you Toni for your flavorful dishes.
So good & so easy to follow!
You are so amazing thank you for being you, and doing this. Best recipes ever. I was getting so tired of food and trying googled recipes. I found you on instagram reels and it’s been an amazing journey following you. Thank you for legitimately feeding me and helping me fall in love with eating and cooking again. Thank you for supplying this recipe.
This recipe is absolutely incredible. We make this at least 2 times a week
Hands-down, the best chicken and broccoli recipe I had ever made… Tasted as good as authentic Chinese takeout…
This will be one of my weekly go to meals
Can’t wait to try your next recipe…Thank you… 🙂
This recipe looks yummy! I’m wondering, is there a good substitute for Shaoxing wine if I don’t have it, or should I leave it?
You can omit it, or use additional rice wine vinegar! If you have it on hand, it does make a difference!
everything came together so easily it was perfect
Can you substitute sesame oil? as i am allergic to it.