Flavorful Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Experience the magic of a lightning-fast, incredibly flavorful Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry, packed with irresistible Asian-inspired tastes. This dish is so universally appealing, it’s guaranteed to earn rave reviews from even the most discerning palates!

Forget the long waits and sometimes questionable ingredients of takeout. This homemade Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry recipe elevates the classic to a new level, featuring a delectable, savory stir-fry sauce crafted from scratch, perfectly tender and juicy chicken, and vibrant, crisp-tender broccoli florets. It’s a culinary journey that’s surprisingly simple to embark on, bringing the authentic flavors of your favorite Chinese restaurant right into your kitchen.

Overhead view of a delicious homemade Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry in a white ceramic bowl, ready to serve

Contents

Master the Art of Homemade Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

For many, the world of ethnic cuisine can be an uncharted territory. I remember when my husband, Bill, accustomed to a diet of classic meat and potatoes, was first introduced to the vibrant world of Asian dishes. A vacation to Vancouver as newlyweds involved a necessary (and slightly grumbled-through) immersion into Chinatown’s culinary delights. While he certainly didn’t leave hungry, the experience was a novel one.

Over the years, his appreciation for stir-fries, though still enjoyed with a fork rather than chopsticks, has grown immensely. This particular Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry stands out as a personal favorite, consistently earning high praise. More than just a crowd-pleaser, it’s also an exceptionally quick and healthy option for those busy weeknights when time is of the essence but flavor cannot be compromised. The beauty of a homemade stir-fry lies in its simplicity and versatility, allowing you to tailor every aspect to your family’s preferences.

Why Choose Homemade Stir Fry Over Takeout?

Opting to cook stir-fry at home offers a multitude of advantages that go beyond just convenience. It’s an opportunity to control what goes into your meal, ensuring freshness, quality, and a perfect balance of flavors tailored to your taste buds. Imagine a dish made exactly how you like it, every single time.

Complete Control Over Ingredients: Unlike ordering takeout where you might pick around unwanted items, preparing stir-fry at home allows you to hand-pick every vegetable, protein, and seasoning. Easily omit ingredients you dislike or that don’t fit your dietary needs, ensuring a perfectly personalized meal.
No Hidden MSG or Preservatives: When you cook at home, you eliminate concerns about monosodium glutamate (MSG) or artificial preservatives often found in restaurant dishes. You’re in charge of every addition, ensuring a cleaner, healthier meal for you and your family.
Faster Than Delivery: From prep to plate, this flavorful entree can be on your table faster than calling in an order and waiting for it to be delivered. It’s the ultimate solution for a quick, satisfying, and hot meal on a busy schedule.
Cost-Effective: Enjoying restaurant-quality Asian cuisine at a fraction of the cost is another significant benefit. Home-cooking stretches your budget further without compromising on taste or quality.
Fresher and Healthier: By using fresh ingredients and controlling oil and sodium levels, your homemade stir-fry is inherently healthier. You can pack it with nutrient-dense vegetables and lean protein, making it a wholesome addition to your meal rotation.

Close-up view of a vibrant Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry in a white bowl, showcasing the tender chicken and bright green broccoli

Essential Tips for Crafting the Perfect Chicken Stir Fry

Creating an easy and delicious entree, especially on a hectic weekday, is always a win. This Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry recipe is incredibly adaptable, allowing you to customize it with your favorite vegetables and protein sources. Here are some key tips to ensure your stir-fry turns out perfectly every time:

The Power of the Sauce: The stir-fry sauce is truly the heart of this dish, transforming simple ingredients into a symphony of flavors. The masterful blend of soy sauce, rich toasted sesame oil, umami-packed oyster sauce, pungent fresh garlic, and zesty ginger creates a depth of flavor reminiscent of authentic Chinese cuisine. This combination ensures every bite is savory, sweet, and perfectly balanced.
Protein Versatility: While chicken breasts are fantastic for this recipe, don’t limit yourself! Feel free to experiment with other proteins. Thinly sliced pork tenderloin or flank steak can add a different texture and flavor profile. Chicken thighs, chopped into bite-sized pieces, are another excellent option, offering a richer flavor and often staying juicier.
Smart Meat Preparation: For easier and more uniform slicing, try cutting your meat while it’s still partially frozen. The slight firmness makes it much simpler to achieve consistent cubes or thin slices, which is crucial for even cooking in a stir-fry. Aim for pieces that are roughly the same size to ensure everything cooks simultaneously.
Embrace Vegetable Variety: I’ve kept the vegetable component simple with crisp broccoli florets, which absorb the sauce beautifully. However, stir-fries are fantastic for emptying your veggie bin! Consider adding thinly sliced cabbage, matchstick carrots, tender snow peas, vibrant red bell pepper strips, or savory onions. Cut all vegetables into similar bite-sized pieces for quick and even cooking.
The Perfect Pairing: A delicious stir-fry demands an equally perfect accompaniment. A simple pot of fluffy white rice is the classic choice, soaking up all the incredible sauce. For a change, try serving it over noodles like lo mein or ramen. If you’re watching your carbohydrate intake, cauliflower rice makes an excellent low-carb alternative without sacrificing flavor.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Achieve Stir-Fry Perfection

Stir-frying is a quick-cooking method that involves tossing ingredients in a small amount of very hot oil. While it might seem daunting, the technique is quite straightforward. If you’re new to stir-frying, here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to ensure your success:

Choose Your Pan Wisely: A traditional wok is ideal for stir-frying due to its sloped sides and ability to distribute heat evenly. However, a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan or a nonstick skillet with a wide surface area will also work wonderfully. The key is ample space to toss your ingredients without overcrowding.
Master the Art of Mise en Place: This French culinary term means “everything in its place.” Before you even turn on the stove, ensure all your ingredients are prepped, chopped, and measured, and your sauce is mixed. Stir-frying is a rapid process, and you won’t have time to chop garlic or measure soy sauce once the heat is on.
Prepare Your Marinade and Sauce: If your recipe calls for marinating the protein, do this first. Separately, whisk together all the ingredients for your stir-fry sauce. This prevents last-minute scrambling and ensures a smooth, lump-free sauce.
Marinate Your Protein: Allow your chicken or other protein to marinate for the recommended time. This step is crucial for infusing flavor and tenderizing the meat.
Heat the Pan, Add the Oil: Place your wok or pan over high heat and let it get smoking hot before adding the oil. Peanut oil is a popular choice for stir-frying due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor, but vegetable oil or canola oil are excellent alternatives. Swirl the oil to coat the pan.
Cook the Protein: Add your marinated meat in a single layer to the hot pan, being careful not to overcrowd. Cook until it’s beautifully browned and nearly cooked through, then remove it from the pan and set aside. This prevents overcooking and allows for even cooking of vegetables.
Stir-Fry Vegetables in Stages: Begin with the sturdiest vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, or bell peppers, as they require more cooking time. Stir-fry them for a few minutes until they start to become tender-crisp. Then, add more delicate vegetables like snow peas or leafy greens, cooking for just a minute or two more.
Incorporate Aromatics: Garlic and ginger are often added towards the end of the vegetable cooking process to prevent them from burning and becoming bitter. They quickly release their fragrant oils, infusing the entire dish with their distinctive aroma.
Combine and Sauce: Return the cooked protein to the pan with the vegetables. Give your pre-mixed sauce a quick whisk, then pour it over all the ingredients. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and evenly coats everything, creating a glossy, appealing finish.
Serve Immediately: Stir-fries are best enjoyed fresh off the heat. Serve your delicious creation over steamed rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice right away to savor its optimal texture and flavor.

Broccoli and Chicken Stir Fry artfully arranged in a blue and white ceramic bowl, garnished and ready to be enjoyed

Key Ingredients for an Authentic Stir Fry Experience

Crafting this incredible stir-fry sauce and dish requires a few key ingredients, each playing a vital role in creating that authentic Asian flair. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why each component is important:

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Lean and versatile, chicken breasts absorb the marinade beautifully. Pro-Tip: To achieve perfectly uniform cubes or slices, cut the chicken while it’s still partially frozen. The slight firmness makes it much easier to handle and ensures even cooking. Adjust quantity based on desired servings.
Minced Garlic: Fresh garlic is essential for a pungent, aromatic base. For convenience, use a garlic press or opt for jarred chopped garlic. However, freshly minced garlic will always provide the most vibrant flavor.
Fresh Ginger: Adds a warm, spicy, and citrusy kick. Always peel the ginger before mincing, as the skin can be tough. Mince it finely, as ginger can be quite fibrous, to ensure it blends seamlessly into the sauce.
Cornstarch: This is a crucial thickening agent for your stir-fry sauce, giving it that characteristic glossy, clingy texture. Always mix cornstarch with a small amount of cold water (creating a “slurry”) before adding it to the hot pan to prevent lumps.
Dry Sherry: Just like salt, a splash of alcohol can significantly enhance the overall flavor profile of your dish. Dry sherry adds a complex, slightly nutty depth. Don’t worry about serving it to children; the alcohol content will completely evaporate during the cooking process, leaving only the enhanced flavor.
Toasted Sesame Oil: This is not to be confused with plain sesame oil. Toasted sesame oil is dark, fragrant, and provides a distinct, rich, nutty aroma that is quintessential to Asian cuisine. Use it as a finishing oil or as part of your sauce for its unique flavor.
Vegetable Oil: With its high smoke point and neutral flavor, vegetable oil (or canola oil) is ideal for stir-frying. It allows you to cook at high temperatures without burning, ensuring proper browning and quick cooking of ingredients, which olive oil typically cannot withstand.
Broccoli or Other Vegetables: Fresh broccoli florets provide a wonderful texture and bright color. Ensure all vegetables are cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces. This is particularly important if you plan on eating with chopsticks, but also ensures even and quick cooking. Feel free to substitute or add other quick-cooking vegetables like bell peppers, snow peas, or mushrooms.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For those who appreciate a touch of heat, crushed red pepper flakes add a pleasant warmth. Adjust the amount according to your family’s spice preference. You can omit them entirely if you prefer a milder dish.
Oyster Sauce: This ingredient is the secret to achieving that authentic, umami-rich flavor often found in Chinese takeout. It’s savory with a hint of sweetness. In a pinch, you can substitute with hoisin sauce, which offers a similar sweetness but with a smokier undertone.
Cooked Rice: As mentioned, steamed white rice is the traditional accompaniment, perfectly soaking up the savory stir-fry sauce. For variety, consider brown rice, jasmine rice, or even noodles. If you’re managing carbohydrate intake, cauliflower rice is an excellent, low-carb alternative that still delivers a satisfying meal.

Delicious Variations and Pro-Tips for Your Stir Fry

One of the greatest joys of stir-frying is its incredible adaptability. Once you’ve mastered the basic technique, the possibilities for customization are endless. Here are some ideas to inspire your next stir-fry creation:

Expand Your Vegetable Palette: Beyond broccoli, consider adding a rainbow of vegetables. Sliced carrots, vibrant bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), crisp snow peas, crunchy snap peas, earthy mushrooms, tender baby corn, water chestnuts for a textural pop, or bamboo shoots for an authentic touch are all excellent choices. Remember to add them according to their cooking times, starting with the firmest.
Alternate Protein Sources: While chicken is fantastic, feel free to experiment with other lean proteins. Thinly sliced beef (flank steak or sirloin work well), pork tenderloin, succulent shrimp, or even firm or extra-firm tofu for a vegetarian option, can all be used. Adjust cooking times as needed to ensure they are cooked through but not overdone.
Enhance with Flavor Boosters: A small splash of rice vinegar at the very end can brighten the entire dish. A pinch of white pepper adds a subtle, authentic Asian spice. For an extra zing, a squeeze of fresh lime juice just before serving can elevate the flavors beautifully.
Add Texture and Garnish: Toasted cashews or peanuts sprinkled over the top can add a delightful crunch. Fresh cilantro or sliced green onions make for a beautiful and aromatic garnish, enhancing both the visual appeal and freshness of the dish.
Smart Meal Prep: To make weeknight cooking even faster, prep your ingredients ahead of time. Chop all your vegetables, cube your chicken, and mix your stir-fry sauce up to a day in advance. Store everything separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator, so when dinner time rolls around, all you have to do is heat the pan and stir-fry!

More Easy Dinner Ideas You’ll Love

If you’re a devoted stir-fry fan and love quick, flavorful meals, be sure to explore these other winning recipes. Our Easy Asian Beef with Peppers offers a robust alternative, while the Chicken Stir Fry with Oyster Sauce focuses on that classic savory depth. For even more veggie goodness, try the Chicken, Broccoli, and Bell Pepper Stir Fry. And if you’re craving something different, these Chicken Chipotle Quesadillas are a delicious Tex-Mex option that never disappoints.

Here’s a cherished photo of me with my mom and three sisters, taken at what I believe was The House of Lum Chinese restaurant in Aspen, Colorado, back in the 1970s. It seems having our dad take the photo was enough to elicit some classic childhood attitude!

Stay Connected for More Amazing Recipes!

Never miss another delicious recipe! Have you joined my growing community of home cooks by subscribing to my weekly newsletter? Each Saturday morning, you’ll receive the latest blog recipes directly in your inbox, along with some seasonal favorites and exclusive cooking tips. As a special welcome bonus, you’ll also get a series of 5 Tips & Recipes for Leveling Up Your Desserts! And of course, you can easily unsubscribe at any time if you change your mind.

SUBSCRIBE HERE—> https://bit.ly/3tLQIcL

This beloved recipe was originally published in January 2013, and its photos and text were refreshed and updated in 2021 to bring you an even better cooking experience.

The Recipe:

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Prep Time
15 minutes

Cook Time
15 minutes

Total Time
30 minutes

Yield
4 servings

An easy, flavorful, and speedy dinner featuring irresistible Asian flavors! This recipe is a home-cooked adaptation inspired by The Food Network, perfect for any weeknight meal.

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 2 reviews.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed (use 2-3 if breasts are large)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-inch fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon dry sherry
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1/3 cup water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 heads broccoli, florets only, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2-1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional, to taste
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
Cooked rice, to serve

Instructions

Marinate the chicken with half the minced garlic and ginger, the soy sauce, sugar, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon salt, dry sherry, and toasted sesame oil for approximately 15 minutes. In a separate small bowl, mix the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/3 cup water to create a slurry.
Heat a large nonstick frying pan or wok over high heat. Add one tablespoon of the vegetable oil, then add the broccoli florets and stir-fry for about one minute. Add the remaining ginger and garlic, along with 2 tablespoons of water and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Continue to stir-fry for about 2 more minutes, ensuring the broccoli remains bright green and crisp-tender. Remove the broccoli to a plate and set aside.
Reheat the pan and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the marinated chicken along with the crushed red pepper flakes (if using) and stir-fry until the chicken is lightly browned on all sides, about 3 minutes. Stir in the oyster sauce, then return the cooked broccoli to the pan. Give your cornstarch-water slurry a quick re-whisk and pour it into the pan. Cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats all ingredients. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a tablespoon or two of water.
Serve your delicious Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry immediately over freshly cooked rice for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

This versatile recipe can be easily adapted with other protein sources. Try thin slices of beef (like flank steak), pork tenderloin, shrimp, or even firm tofu for a vegetarian option.

Feel free to add or substitute other vegetables based on your preference. Red bell peppers, snow peas, sliced carrots, or mushrooms would be delicious additions. Remember to cut them into similar bite-sized pieces for even cooking.

No oyster sauce on hand? You can substitute with hoisin sauce in a pinch. Hoisin sauce offers a similar sweetness but typically has a smokier flavor profile.

This dish is fantastic served over a variety of bases. Besides white rice, consider brown rice, noodles (such as lo mein or ramen), or even cauliflower rice if you’re looking for a low-carb alternative.

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a comment on the blog below or share a photo of your delicious creation on Pinterest and tag us!