Description
Easy Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry for busy nights. This quick, comforting meal comes together fast, even when life’s a bit messy. My personal recipe.
Ingredients
- Main Players:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (2 medium, sliced thin)
- Broccoli Florets (4 cups)
- Flavor Foundation:
- Fresh Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
- Fresh Ginger (1 tbsp, grated)
- Sesame Oil (1 tsp)
- Sauce Essentials:
- Low-Sodium Soy Sauce (1/2 cup)
- Chicken Broth (1/4 cup)
- Cornstarch (1 tbsp)
- Brown Sugar (1 tbsp)
- Finishing Touches:
- Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients:: First things first, get everything ready. Slice that chicken into bite-sized pieces – I aim for about 1-inch chunks, so they cook evenly. Chop the broccoli into florets that are roughly the same size too, so they’re tender-crisp at the same time. Mince your garlic, grate your ginger. Honestly, doing this ‘mise en place’ (fancy chef talk for ‘everything in its place’) makes the actual cooking process so much smoother. I used to just wing it, and let me tell you, scrambling for ingredients while things are sizzling is a recipe for kitchen chaos!
- Whip Up the Sauce:: In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, chicken broth, cornstarch, and brown sugar until it’s super smooth and the cornstarch is completely dissolved. This is your flavor powerhouse, so give it a good mix! I once forgot the cornstarch and ended up with a delicious but very thin sauce, so don’t skip this step. This is where the magic happens for that glossy, clingy sauce we all want in an Easy Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry.
- Sear the Chicken:: Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a tiny splash of oil – just enough to coat the bottom. Once it’s shimmering, add your chicken in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd the pan, hon! If you have too much, cook it in batches. Let it sear for 3-4 minutes per side until it’s golden brown and cooked through. I love the smell of that chicken browning; it just signals that something delicious is on its way. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- Stir-Fry the Aromatics:: In the same pan, maybe add another tiny bit of oil if it looks dry. Toss in your minced garlic and grated ginger. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds, just until they’re fragrant. Oh, that smell! It’s pure comfort. Be careful not to burn them; garlic can go from perfectly golden to bitter in a blink. This step really builds the aromatic base for our Easy Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry.
- Add the Broccoli:: Now, throw in those beautiful broccoli florets. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, until they’re bright green and just starting to tender-crisp. I like mine with a little bite, but if you prefer softer, add a splash of water and cover for a minute or two to steam them. This is where you really see the dish come to life with all that vibrant color.
- Combine and Thicken:: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the broccoli. Give your sauce mixture another quick whisk, just in case the cornstarch settled, and pour it over everything. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats all the chicken and broccoli, usually about 1-2 minutes. It should be glossy and beautiful. This Easy Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry is ready when the sauce is clinging to every piece, looking utterly irresistible!