Your favorite Chinese Chicken and Broccoli can be easily recreated in your kitchen! This takeout-style dinner will have you question the need for that old takeout menu.
Discover your new go-to dinner option with this homemade twist on a classic takeout favorite! Enjoy tender chicken with crispy broccoli enveloped in a flavorful Chinese-inspired, garlic-ginger brown sauce.
In just under 30 minutes, this simple stir-fry will become a beloved alternative to your usual PF Changs or Panda Express order. And discover the secret to achieving the most tender and succulent chicken!
Top tips for making Chinese chicken and broccoli
- A wok is not necessary! I suggest a heavy-based skillet. A wok at home doesn't get as hot as it would in a commercial kitchen because most standard stove tops don't come with a wok burner. Therefore, one method for increasing the heat of your stir fry is to use a skillet or fry pan, as more of the pan is in contact with your heat source.
- Use as much heat as you can. You want to cook the meat and vegetables quickly to preserve their fresh flavor and authentic crunch. So using a high heat ensures the ingredients cook quickly, and you can replicate the takeout taste.
- Before beginning to cook, prepare everything. Because stir-frying requires quick cooking, you should prepare the vegetables, meat, sauce, and garlic beforehand. As a result, you won't have to worry about overcooking parts because you are still chopping the next ingredient once you start cooking.
- Purchase a few Asian pantry staples. You need to use a few ingredients that enhance the flavor to get the authentic takeout taste. Oyster sauce and Chinese Cooking Wine are the ingredients in this recipe. They give you genuine flavor, and as you only use a small amount, they will make several dishes, so you'll get your money's worth. You can find them in most major grocery stores.
How to tenderize chicken
Experience the most delectably tender and mouthwatering chicken using a simple secret ingredient - Baking Soda! Also known as Bicarb, Bicarbonate of Soda, and Sodium Bicarbonate, this simple ingredient unravels the protein fibers, transforming your chicken into the most tender and juicy chicken you will ever eat! This simple technique will make the chicken in your Chinese chicken and broccoli, just like the local takeaway.
Lightly sprinkle baking soda over the chicken and gently stir until it's coated. Allow the chicken to rest for 15 minutes before rinsing off the baking soda thoroughly. Rinse the meat several times to ensure as baking soda tastes awful! Then pat the chicken dry before frying to ensure no moisture will interfere with stir-frying the meat.
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Why You'll Love this Chinese Garlic Chicken!
- You can get it on the table in under 30 minutes.
- It's a healthier version of a Chinese takeout favorite.
- Perfect for the whole family, kids love the tender chicken.
- No need for a wok.
- Uses ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store.
What to serve with Chinese Chicken and Broccoli
This delicious stir-fry is perfect with rice or noodles. Try these delicious sides:
Enjoy x
If you try this Chicken and Broccoli, please leave a 🌟star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I really appreciate it, and it helps others to know that the recipe is trustworthy.
Any questions about the recipe? Use the comments section below.
Get the Recipe
Chinese Chicken and Broccoli
Ingredients
Stir Fry
- 1 lb chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 1 tablespoon baking soda - see note 1
- 1 lb broccoli florets
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 garlic cloves - peeled and thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon grated ginger
Sauce
- ⅓ cup water, cold
- 4 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ cup oyster sauce
- 4 teaspoons light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine - see note 2
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- ½ tablespoons hoisin sauce
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
To Tenderise the Chicken
- Slice the chicken into thin strips across the grain and place in a non-metallic bowl.1 lb chicken breast
- Sprinkle with the baking soda and gently mix, so all the chicken is coated.1 tablespoon baking soda
- Set the chicken aside for 15 minutes.
- Rinse the chicken exceptionally well and then pat it dry with kitchen paper. (See note 3)
Prepare the sauce
- Mix the water and cornstarch in a small jug, and then add the oyster sauce, sugar, cooking wine, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, and black pepper. Set to one side until needed.⅓ cup water, cold4 teaspoon cornstarch½ cup oyster sauce4 teaspoons light brown sugar2 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine 2 teaspoons sesame oil½ tablespoons hoisin sauce½ teaspoon black pepper
- While the chicken is tenderizing, cook the broccoli.
- Place a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add in the broccoli and a the boiling water.1 lb broccoli florets¼ cup water
- Cover the broccoli and steam for 2 minutes (or to your desired doneness, you may need more water if you want your broccoli more cooked). The water should all have evaporated-transfer the broccoli to a plate.
To make the stir fry
- Place the skillet back over high heat and heat for at least 1 minute. Add the oil, and once it is shimmering, add the chicken in a single layer.2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Cook, without touching, for 2 minutes, then stir and cook for a further 2 minutes minute.
- Add the broccoli to the skillet and stir well.
- Stir in the thinly sliced garlic and grated ginger.3 garlic cloves - peeled and thinly sliced½ teaspoon grated ginger
- Immediately give the sauce a good stir and add it to the pan.
- Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Serve immediately, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds.1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Notes
- Baking Soda is also called Bicarb, Bicarbonate of Soda, and Sodium Bicarbonate.
- Chinese Cooking Wine/Chinese Rice Wine - not to be mistaken for rice wine vinegar!!! You can sub in dry sherry if you like.
- Ensure you wash the chicken well to remove any traces of baking soda. It is incredible at tenderizing meat but tastes terrible, so you want to remove it.
Nutrition
Nutrition is per serving
Amanda Dixon says
This came out SO good! The chicken was perfectly tender, and that sauce was so flavorful. So much better making your own than takeout. Will definitely make this again! Big hit for us.
Liz says
This chicken and broccoli was a hit at our house! I'll be making this one again. My husband will be requesting it, I'm sure of it!
Giangi Townsend says
Perfection! Tender, juicy and so rich in flavor. We all loved it and wished we made more. Thank you. We will make it again soon.
Sharina says
Everyone was satisfied with this Chinese chicken and broccoli! It's one of the perfect and convenient recipes this for busy week nights! So delicious and impressive!
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says
So happy you enjoyed it Sharina 🙂
Cx
Enriqueta E Lemoine says
This is a delicious and easy-to-make chicken recipe. My kids loved the addition of little broccoli trees. I served over a bed of rice, and it was a big success! Thanks for the inspiration.
Rose says
This Chinese chicken and broccoli is comfort food. I made it for my family and they all loved it. Will add it to my weekly meals rotations.
Jenny says
This Chinese Chicken and Broccoli is flavorful to the max. We love the profile which both packs a punch and is healthy. Seconds please!
Claire says
This sounds so good! My partner and I love doing stirfries, but we usually just pick out the chicken and broccoli because it's our favorite part. We'll definitely be giving your recipe a try this week!
Lori says
Skip Chinese takeout and make this at home! So easy and absolutely delicious! I love how easy this is to make too!
sophie says
The flavors in this Chinese Chicken and Broccoli were so well balanced, and I loved how the different spices and ingredients came together to create such a rich and satisfying flavor.
Carrie Robinson says
Definitely skipping takeout next time and making this instead! 🙂 That sauce sounds incredible and I am loving the addition of the black sesame seeds.
Christy says
OH this sauce is incredible! And it was a happy coincidence for me that I happened to have all the ingredients already on hand because I had made some similar recipes a few weeks before. This was such delicious and easy dinner.
Megan Ellam says
Chicken & broccoli is an absolute favourite here! I love how quick and easy it is. This tastes way better than what you get in takeout.
Sharon says
I love to make my favorite takeout favorites at home and I was super impressed with how spot-on this recipe was.
Lisa says
I liked this homemade chicken and broccoli much better than takeout. It was really easy to make too.
Claire | Sprinkles and Sprouts says
So happy you enjoyed it Lisa 🙂
Cx