Chinese Chicken and Broccoli

Chinese food is one of the ultimate comfort foods, particularly when it arrives warm at your door ready to be eaten straight from the container. But there’s also something exciting about making your favorites right at home. Not only do you get to skip the takeout wait times, but you’ll also find it easier than expected! Though we have plenty of favorite Chinese chicken recipes, this Chinese chicken and broccoli recipe might be the simplest and will never disappoint.

You’ll need to stock up on a few ingredients for this recipe, so read through the ingredient list before you get going. You may already have soy sauce, but a few other essential condiments are needed to bring this dish together. The bonus is that you’ll have all the condiments and sauces needed for the next time you want to make a homemade Chinese takeout feast.

Ingredients for Chinese Chicken and Broccoli

• Chicken: The recipe calls for boneless skinless chicken breast, but you can substitute boneless skinless chicken thighs.
• Broccoli: Fresh broccoli works best here, but you can use frozen if that’s what you have. Chop it into bite-sized pieces.
• Shaoxing rice wine: Shaoxing rice wine is an excellent ingredient to stock in the kitchen. It’s a common ingredient in Chinese recipes—here, we use it to deglaze the pan and release all the fond from the bottom for extra flavor. It stores in the pantry and lasts long so you can have it on hand for future Chinese cooking. If you don’t have Shaoxing wine, use dry cooking wine, sake or even white wine.
• Oyster sauce: Oyster sauce is a dark and rich sauce that adds more umami to the dish.
• Soy sauce: Soy sauce is a classic ingredient in Chinese dishes, bringing a rich, salty flavor. Use reduced-sodium soy sauce to keep the salt in check.
• Hoisin sauce: Hoisin, another popular Chinese ingredient, is deep amber in color and has a sweet, salty, tangy flavor.
• Sugar: A little sugar rounds out all the savory flavors.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps thicken the sauce and give it the right viscosity.
• Sesame oil: Used as a cooking oil, sesame oil gives the chicken a distinct flavor.
• Garlic: Don’t skimp on fresh garlic in this chicken and broccoli Chinese dish.
• Gingerroot: Fresh ginger gives a warming, slightly spicy kick to this recipe.
• Cooked rice: Serve this Chinese chicken and broccoli recipe with steamed white or brown rice. The best way to cook rice is with a rice cooker, but you can easily make fluffy rice on the stovetop.

Directions

Step 1: Marinate the chicken

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In a small bowl, combine the chicken breast, Shaoxing wine, oyster sauce and cornstarch; mix well. Set aside and let the chicken marinate while you prep the rest of the ingredients.

Step 2: Make the sauce

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In another small bowl, whisk together the oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, hoisin sauce and sugar. Whisk in the cornstarch, and mix until well combined. Set aside.

Step 3: Steam the broccoli

Pour 1/2 cup water into a large skillet and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli, cover it and allow it to steam for one minute. Once done, remove the broccoli, set it aside and drain the water.

Step 4: Cook the chicken

In the same skillet, heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and brown it for two minutes. Flip and brown the other side for another two minutes.

Step 5: Finish the stir-fry

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Once the chicken browns, add the broccoli, garlic and ginger. Stir everything together.

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Add the sauce to the skillet and cook for two to three minutes, allowing it to thicken.

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Serve over cooked white rice.

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Chinese Chicken and Broccoli Variations

• Add other vegetables: Broccoli works great here, but it’s not the only vegetable that works. Try adding water chestnuts, carrots, baby corn, snow peas or whatever vegetables you’ve got in the crisper that need to be used up.
• Try it with nuts: I love some crunch in my food, and lots of nuts go great in Chinese food. Add cashews, peanuts or pine nuts to this chicken and broccoli Chinese recipe.
• Use a different thickener: Cornstarch is the thickener in this recipe, giving the sauce a pourable consistency that still sticks to the chicken and broccoli. Out of cornstarch? Arrowroot or flour also thickens sauces, though the consistency might not be the same.

How to Store Chinese Chicken and Broccoli

If you have leftovers, store your Chinese chicken and broccoli recipe in an airtight container in the fridge, separate from the white rice. It will last up to five days in the refrigerator.

How do you reheat Chinese chicken and broccoli?

Reheat chicken and broccoli in a saucepan on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add a splash of water if the mixture has thickened too much.

Chinese Chicken and Broccoli Tips

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What’s the best way to cut chicken for Chinese chicken and broccoli?

As with all meats, slice the chicken against the grain for the tastiest results. Thinner slices will also yield a more tender final product.

What can you serve with Chinese chicken and broccoli?

White rice, brown rice or even fried rice will add a nice starchy base to this dish. If you’re not in the mood for rice or don’t have any left in your pantry, try plating the chicken and broccoli over rice noodles or egg noodles. You can also serve it with extra steamed vegetables, like carrots or bok choy.