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This Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry is fabulous! A delicious and fast weeknight winner. Marinating the chicken while you prep the other ingredients makes this fast, too!
In this post you’ll find step by step instructions on how to make this recipe, as well as how to toast sesame seeds
Update: This recipe was originally posted in June of 2012, and has been updated to improve reader experience.
Another good weeknight dinner. Easy to throw together and has a really nice balance of flavors. Weeknight dinners can be a real time crunch! This meal will be on your table in under 30 minutes!
Whether it’s back to school, back to work, activities or even just a busy weekend – getting dinner on the table is a thing. Like, every day. EVERY single day my family expects dinner. Crazy, right? Thankfully, I have this recipe up my sleeve – and now, you do too!
Stir frying is a great way to get dinner on the table fast! Seriously, if you prep the chicken stir fry ahead this can be ready in a shorter time than take out! A quick and easy dinner is always a winner for me.
This one makes me even happier because, my kids will eat it. I pull out the kid-friendly chopsticks and sprinkle fortune cookies around the table as incentive.
It works like a charm: Exhibits H and C. Excuse the milk mustaches and lack of shirt.
If you’re looking for more weeknight dinners, check out my Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Skillet or my Classic Tuna Noodle Casserole.
Kylee’s Notes & FAQs
- Use a medium-high heat. The point of stir-frying is to cook at high heat for a short time.
- Don’t overcook the broccoli. We’re going for bright green florets here!
- When chopping the chicken, cut pieces as close to the same size as possible – it helps with making sure the chicken cooks evenly
- Add more water if necessary to thin the sauce.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator – lunch for work the next day!
- Add some red bell peppers and make the color pop!
- If you like a bit of heat, add some red pepper flakes.
How to toast Sesame Seeds
There are other methods of toasting sesame seeds – but this is how I’ve always done it!
- In a small non stick frying pan, add 2 Tbs sesame seeds. Do not add anything else!
- Toast the seeds over medium high heat, shaking the pan often so they do not burn.
- They will start to “pop” and turn brown VERY quickly – so be ready!
Ingredients:
Full, printable recipe below – just scroll down to the recipe card!
- Green Onions – also known as scallions, these add a delicate onion flavor to the chicken
- Chicken Breast – you can absolutely sub chicken thighs in this recipe.
- Hoisin Sauce – a thick, brown Asian sauce that is kind of salty/sweet. Soy/brown sugar ish. It’s delicious!! It’s in the Asian section of the grocery too
- Sesame Oil – this adds amazing flavor to the chicken marinade – don’t skip it! You can find it in the Asian section of your grocery store, or on Amazon.
- Corn starch – this is used to make a thicker sauce, you may omit it (and the water) if you wish, but I like it!
- Cooking oil – I use vegetable oil, but canola or any neutral oil will work. Olive oil also works if you are careful with the heat!
How to make this recipe:
Full, printable recipe below – just scroll down to the recipe card!
To prep ahead:
- Marinate the chicken the night before.
- Chop and prep the garlic, ginger and measure out the soy and hoisin sauces
- Cut the broccoli into florets.
- Pre-cook the rice.
- On cooking day – follow from step 4 below.
To make on the day:
- Chop and prep the garlic, ginger and measure out the soy and hoisin sauces.
- Marinate the diced chicken for 15 minutes at room temp.
- Cook the rice.
- Cut the broccoli into florets.
- Heat the oil in a large wok or skillet
- Stir fry the broccoli, then add the garlic, ginger, water and salt/pepper.
- Cook until broccoli is tender, but still bright green. Remove and keep warm.
- Add the chicken and stir fry until golden brown, then add the hoisin, the broccoli and the cornstarch mixture – bring to a boil.
- Serve with cooked rice.
- Devour.
Want some more easy chicken recipes? Here are a few favorites!
- Instant Pot Chicken & Rice. Grab your electric pressure cooker and some basic ingredients and dinner will be SUPER fast (and really tasty, too).
- Easy Chicken Salad (low fat). Use greek yogurt and low-fat mayonnaise to cut calories, without sacrificing flavor!
- Chicken Divan Casserole. A classic Chicken Divan Casserole with broccoli, chicken, cheese and a crunchy topping. You will make this family favorite over and over!
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Chicken Broccoli Stir-fry
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
Marinate the chicken while you prepare the rest of the ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken breast cut into bite sized pieces
- 3 green onions sliced thinly
- 3 cloves garlic minced, divided
- 2 Tbs fresh ginger grated, divided
- 1 Tbs soy sauce
- 2 Tbs sugar
- 2 Tbs cornstarch divided
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 Tbs sesame oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 3 Tbs vegetable oil
- 6 cups broccoli cut into florets
- 2 Tbs hoisin sauce
Garnish
- 1 tsp sesame seeds toasted (see notes)
Serving suggestion:
- 4 cups cooked rice
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the green onions, 1 tsp of the garlic, all of the ginger, soy sauce, sugar, 1 tsp of the cornstarch, 1 tsp of salt, and the sesame oil.
- Add the chicken and mix, and marinate for 15-20 minutes.
- Make a thin slurry by mixing the remaining cornstarch with 1/4 cup water.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add 1 Tbs of the oil and heat over medium high.
- Add the broccoli , and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
- Add the remaining garlic, ginger, 2 Tbs of water, and season with 1/4 tsp salt, and pepper.
- Stir-fry until the broccoli is bright green but still crisp, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
- Get the skillet good and hot again, and then heat 2 more Tbs oil.
- Add the chicken and stir fry until the chicken is cooked, and golden brown
- Return the broccoli to the pan, add the hoisin and toss to heat through. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened.
- Add more water if need to thin the sauce, if necessary.
- Serve with toasted sesame seeds and rice.
- Devour!
Tips & Notes:
- Don’t overcook the broccoli. We’re going for bright green florets here!
- When chopping the chicken, cut pieces as close to the same size as possible – it helps with making sure the chicken cooks evenly
- Add more water if necessary to thin the sauce.
- In a small non stick pan, add 2 Tbs sesame seeds. Do not add anything else!
- Toast the seeds over medium high heat, shaking the pan often so they do not burn.
- They will start to “pop” and turn brown VERY quickly – so be ready!
nutrition facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
Recipes written and produced on Kylee Cooks are for informational purposes only. Kylee is not a certified nutritionist. Nutritional data provided on Kylee Cooks has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration.
That Girl says
We haven't had stirfry in a while. I should throw it on the menu.