The Best Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe for Busy Nights

A chicken and broccoli stir fry upgrades ordinary ingredients into a vibrant culinary adventure that dances across your taste buds.

Crisp vegetables and tender meat create a harmonious balance of textures and flavors in this classic Asian-inspired dish.

Bold seasonings awaken the palate with their zesty and aromatic profile, promising a meal that’s both satisfying and nutritionally balanced.

Home cooks love how quickly this recipe comes together, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

The combination of protein and green vegetables ensures a wholesome and delicious experience that feels both comforting and exciting.

Quick cooking techniques preserve the natural crispness of broccoli while sealing in the chicken succulent qualities.

Each bite delivers a perfect blend of savory and fresh elements that make this dish irresistibly appealing.

Why Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Is a Fast Favorite

• Flavor-Packed Protein Punch: Chicken and broccoli create a delicious combo with a zesty sauce that transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal bursting with tangy, spicy, and savory notes.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Winner: This stir fry comes together in just 20-30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families looking for a nutritious dinner that doesn't require hours of preparation or complicated techniques.
• Customizable Healthy Comfort Food: The recipe offers flexibility with rice options, allows for easy ingredient swaps, and provides a balanced meal with lean protein and nutrient-rich vegetables that satisfies without feeling heavy.
• Restaurant-Quality Cooking at Home: By using simple techniques like batch cooking chicken and creating a homemade sauce, home cooks can achieve professional-level flavor and texture without needing advanced culinary skills.

What You Need for Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that provides a tender and juicy base for the stir fry, best when thinly sliced for quick and even cooking.
• Fresh Ginger: Adds a warm, zesty flavor and helps tenderize the chicken with its natural enzymes.

• Broccoli Florets: Crunchy green vegetable that adds nutrition and vibrant color to the dish, preferably fresh and crisp.

• Chicken Broth, Coconut Aminos, Lime Juice: Creates a balanced, tangy sauce with umami depth and bright citrus notes.
• Sesame Oil: Provides a rich, nutty aroma that enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic base that complements the chicken and vegetables.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces a gentle heat and subtle spiciness to the stir fry.
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings for adjusting and enhancing the dish's overall taste.

• Avocado Oil: High smoke point oil perfect for stir-frying at high temperatures without burning.

• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Provide extra texture, visual appeal, and fresh flavor to the finished dish.

• White Rice, Cauliflower Rice: Neutral base that absorbs the flavorful sauce and completes the meal.

How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry in Minutes

Step 1: Whip Up the Zesty Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Coconut aminos
• Lime juice
• Sesame oil
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Red pepper flakes
• Black pepper

Simmer the mixture in a small saucepan over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until it reduces and thickens beautifully.

Step 2: Sizzle the Chicken

• Slicing chicken breast into thin strips
• Seasoning with salt and pepper

Heat avocado oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cook chicken in batches, giving each piece 30-60 seconds per side to achieve a golden, delicious exterior. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Bring Broccoli to Life

Use the same pan with leftover chicken juices to cook broccoli florets. Sauté for 3-5 minutes until tender and vibrant green. Add a splash of chicken broth if the pan gets too dry.

Step 4: Create Culinary Magic

Reunite the chicken and broccoli in the pan. Pour the reduced sauce over the ingredients, mixing thoroughly to ensure every piece gets coated in deliciousness. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to marry the flavors.

Step 5: Finish with Flair

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Serve alongside white rice or cauliflower rice for a complete meal that’ll make taste buds dance.

Stir Fry Tips That Make a Difference

• Slice Chicken Precisely: Cut chicken breast against the grain into thin, uniform strips to ensure even cooking and tender texture.
• Manage Heat Carefully: Use medium heat to prevent burning and maintain the chicken's juiciness, watching the pan closely during cooking.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Cook chicken in batches to create a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
• Control Sauce Reduction: Simmer sauce slowly and stir frequently to achieve the right consistency without burning or over-thickening.
• Maximize Broccoli Crispness: Cook broccoli just until bright green and tender-crisp, preserving nutrients and preventing mushiness.

How to Store and Reheat Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the stir fry fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Transfer cooled stir fry to freezer-safe containers, preserving the meal for up to 2 months. Separate chicken and sauce if possible to maintain better texture.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture. Stir occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even heating. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain the chicken's tender texture and prevent rubbery consistency.

What to Serve with Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: A light, slightly sweet Riesling complements the savory chicken and balances the spicy red pepper flakes, cutting through the richness of the stir fry.
• Match with Jasmine Rice: Fluffy jasmine rice absorbs the delicious sauce perfectly, providing a soft texture contrast to the tender chicken and crisp broccoli.
• Serve with Pickled Cucumber Salad: Tangy, cool cucumber pickles offer a refreshing crunch that brightens the warm stir fry and helps cleanse the palate between bites.
• Enhance with Toasted Sesame Garnish: Sprinkle extra toasted sesame seeds on top to amplify the nutty, aromatic flavor profile and add a delightful textural element to the dish.

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry with a Twist

• Spicy Thai Kickback: Swap red pepper flakes for fresh Thai chili peppers, add lemongrass, and include a splash of fish sauce for an authentic Southeast Asian flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace sesame oil with olive oil, incorporate dried oregano and basil, use lemon juice instead of lime, and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Low-Carb Green Warrior: Skip rice entirely, use zucchini noodles as a base, double the broccoli quantity, and add spinach for extra nutrients while maintaining a low-carbohydrate approach.
• Coconut Curry Adventure: Introduce coconut milk to the sauce, blend in mild curry powder, include diced bell peppers, and garnish with fresh cilantro for an Indian-inspired rendition that elevates the original stir fry.

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe

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4.7 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Chinese-inspired chicken and broccoli stir fry delivers a perfect balance of lean protein and crisp vegetables in mere minutes. Quick wok magic blends tender chicken, garlic-ginger sauce, and emerald broccoli florets that you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound chicken breast, thinly sliced

Vegetables:

• 2 heads broccoli, florets removed (7 cups/465 grams)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch fresh ginger, minced

Cooking and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1.5 tablespoons avocado oil
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 0.5 cup coconut aminos
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

Optional Toppings:

• Sesame seeds
• Green onions

Serving Options:

• White rice
• Cauliflower rice

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Instructions

1. Craft a flavorful sauce by whisking together chicken broth, coconut aminos, lime juice, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and a sprinkle of pepper in a small saucepan.
2. Allow the sauce to gently simmer over medium-low heat, stirring periodically, until it transforms into a rich, concentrated liquid that reduces to approximately one-third of its original volume.
3. Delicately season the thinly sliced chicken breast with a harmonious blend of salt and pepper.
4. Heat avocado oil in a spacious sauté pan, creating a welcoming environment for the chicken to achieve a golden, slightly crisp exterior.
5. Carefully sear the chicken in controlled batches, ensuring each piece receives adequate attention and space, cooking for approximately 30-60 seconds per side.
6. Leverage the remaining chicken essence in the pan to introduce vibrant broccoli florets, creating a seamless transition between cooking stages.
7. Nurture the broccoli with gentle heat, allowing it to become tender and slightly crisp, potentially adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent any unwanted sticking.
8. Reunite the perfectly cooked chicken with the expertly prepared broccoli in the pan.
9. Cascade the concentrated sauce over the chicken and broccoli, meticulously coating each morsel to ensure maximum flavor distribution.
10. Briefly reheat the combined ingredients, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
11. Elevate the dish’s visual and flavor profile by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions.
12. Present the stir fry alongside your preferred accompaniment, whether traditional white rice or low-carb cauliflower rice.

Notes

• Burst with vibrant flavors that dance between zesty lime and warming ginger.
• Minimal ingredients transform into a protein-packed meal bursting with nutrition.
• Perfect weeknight dinner solution ready in under 20 minutes with easy cleanup.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg