Description
This Chinese Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry is a quick, flavorful, and nutritious meal featuring tender chicken pieces marinated in a savory soy and cornstarch blend, stir-fried with fresh broccoli florets in a fragrant garlic-ginger sauce. The dish is finished with a delicious mix of oyster, hoisin, and sesame oils, creating a perfect balance of umami and aroma that’s great for a family dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Stir-Fry
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
- Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce and cornstarch until the cornstarch is completely dissolved to form a smooth mixture.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the soy sauce mixture and stir well to coat each piece evenly. Let the chicken marinate for about 10-15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and ginger. Sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Cook Broccoli: Add the broccoli florets to the skillet and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they are bright green and just starting to become tender.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer to help cook the broccoli further and create a flavorful base for the sauce.
- Return Chicken to Skillet: Once the broth is simmering, add the cooked chicken back into the skillet, combining it with the broccoli and broth.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the chicken and broccoli are fully coated.
- Serve the Dish: Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the stir-fry to a serving dish. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired for added texture and flavor.
- Enjoy: Serve the stir-fry hot alongside steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 10 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Use fresh broccoli florets for best texture; frozen broccoli can be used but may become softer.
- Adjust the amount of garlic and ginger according to personal preference for spice and aroma.
- To keep the broccoli crunchier, reduce cooking time in step 7 slightly.
- Sesame seeds are optional but add a nice nutty finish and visual appeal.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure oyster sauce is gluten-free.