Homestyle Chinese Chicken & Broccoli Recipe That Beats Takeout

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that satisfy serious hunger pangs without compromising flavor.

This chicken and broccoli Chinese takeout style recipe delivers a mouthwatering meal that rivals your favorite restaurant’s version.

Tender chicken pieces glisten with a savory sauce that clings perfectly to crisp broccoli florets.

Authentic Asian-inspired ingredients create a symphony of tastes that dance across your palate.

Each bite promises restaurant-quality comfort without the delivery wait or expense.

Home cooking reaches new heights with this simple yet spectacular dish that comes together in mere minutes.

You’ll want to add this crowd-pleasing recipe to your regular dinner rotation.

Why You’ll Crave This Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry

• Combines lean protein from chicken and nutrient-packed broccoli, creating a balanced meal that supports healthy eating goals without sacrificing flavor.
• Adaptable recipe that can be prepared in a single pan, making cleanup easy and reducing kitchen stress for busy home cooks.
• Blends savory soy sauce, oyster sauce, and aromatic garlic and ginger to create a mouthwatering Chinese-inspired dish that rivals takeout restaurants.

Everything You Need for Takeout-Style Chicken and Broccoli

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender meat that absorbs the marinade and provides the main protein for the dish.

• Soy Sauce, Oyster Sauce: A dynamic duo that adds depth of flavor and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Cornstarch: A magical thickening agent that gives the sauce a glossy, clingy texture.
• Sugar, Rice Vinegar: Adds a subtle balance of sweetness and tanginess to round out the flavor profile.

• Garlic, Ginger: Fragrant ingredients that create an aromatic base and enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Broccoli Florets: A nutritious green vegetable that provides a fresh, crisp contrast to the tender chicken.

• Vegetable Oil: Helps in stir-frying and prevents ingredients from sticking to the pan.
• Water: Used for blanching broccoli and creating the cornstarch slurry.

How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Strips

Slice chicken breasts into thin, elegant strips.

• Soy sauce
• Oyster sauce

Let the chicken soak up those incredible flavors for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Blanch Broccoli Perfectly

Boil water in a pot and quickly dunk broccoli florets.

Cook for 2-3 minutes until they shine with a vibrant green color.

Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Sear Chicken To Golden Perfection

Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat.

Cook marinated chicken strips until they turn golden brown and become wonderfully juicy.

Remove from pan.

Step 4: Awaken Aromatic Flavors

In the same pan, add fresh oil.

Toss in minced garlic and ginger.

Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until your kitchen fills with mouthwatering aromas.

Step 5: Create Flavor Harmony

Return chicken and broccoli to the pan.

Gently mix everything together, allowing the flavors to dance and mingle.

Step 6: Craft The Perfect Sauce

• Cornstarch
• Water

Pour into the skillet and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes until the sauce transforms into a glossy, clinging coating.

Step 7: Balance The Flavor Profile

• Sugar
• Rice vinegar

Taste and adjust seasonings to your heart’s content.

Step 8: Serve With Style

Plate over steaming rice and get ready to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal right at home.

Quick Tips for Better Stir-Fry Flavor and Texture

• Marinate chicken in soy and oyster sauce for at least 10 minutes to ensure maximum flavor absorption and softness.
• Blanch broccoli briefly to maintain its vibrant green color and crisp-tender bite, avoiding mushy vegetables.
• Cook chicken on medium-high heat to achieve a golden exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
• Sauté garlic and ginger quickly to release their intense flavors without burning, creating a fragrant base for the dish.
• Use cornstarch slurry to thicken sauce naturally, ensuring it coats ingredients evenly and creates a glossy finish.

Storage and Reheat Tips for Stir-Fried Chicken and Broccoli

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and place in the refrigerator, where the dish will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled chicken and broccoli to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal completely, and freeze for up to 2 months.
• Place portions on a microwave-safe plate, sprinkle a few drops of water to prevent drying, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even warming.
• Warm a skillet over medium heat, add a small amount of oil, and gently stir-fry the leftovers. This method helps restore the original texture and prevents the chicken from becoming rubbery.

What to Serve With Chicken and Broccoli

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio cuts through the richness of the chicken, complementing the subtle garlic and ginger notes while refreshing the palate.
• Enhance with Jasmine Rice Companion: Fluffy jasmine rice absorbs the savory sauce, creating a delightful base that balances the chicken and broccoli's textures and amplifies the overall dining experience.
• Boost with Zesty Citrus Mocktail: Craft a lemon-ginger mocktail that mirrors the dish's Asian-inspired flavors, providing a bright, tangy counterpoint to the savory stir-fry and cleansing the taste buds between bites.
• Elevate with Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls: Serve alongside light, crunchy spring rolls filled with julienned vegetables, adding a complementary texture and providing a delightful appetizer that bridges the main dish's flavors.

Creative Takes on Classic Chinese-Style Chicken and Broccoli

• Low-Carb Cauliflower Rice Option: Replace traditional rice with cauliflower rice for a keto-friendly version that cuts down on carbohydrates while maintaining the dish's delicious flavor profile.
• Vegetarian Tofu Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu, pressing out excess moisture and marinating in the same soy and oyster sauce mixture for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and ensure oyster sauce is gluten-free. Double-check cornstarch is certified gluten-free to make the entire recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Spicy Chili Lovers Version: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce during the final stir-frying stage to bring a fiery kick to the traditional Chinese takeout-style chicken and broccoli recipe.

FAQs

• Why blanch the broccoli before stir-frying?

Blanching helps preserve broccoli’s bright green color, maintains its crisp texture, and partially cooks it, ensuring it’s tender yet still crunchy when added to the final dish.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work great and often provide more flavor and tenderness compared to chicken breasts. Just trim excess fat and slice them into similar-sized strips.

• What's the purpose of the cornstarch slurry?

The cornstarch slurry helps thicken the sauce, giving it a glossy, restaurant-style consistency that clings perfectly to the chicken and broccoli, creating that signature Chinese takeout texture.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken should be golden brown on the outside, and when cut, it should have no pink interior. Using a meat thermometer, check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.

Chicken And Broccoli (chinese Takeout Style) Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor classic Chinese takeout-style chicken and broccoli without leaving home, delivering restaurant-quality flavors straight to your kitchen. Crisp broccoli and tender chicken combine in a glossy sauce that promises a delicious, quick meal you’ll love making again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 lb (0.45 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips

Vegetables:

• 2 cups broccoli florets

Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or sesame oil)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch piece of ginger, minced
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Serving Suggestion:

• Cooked rice

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Instructions

1. Transform chicken breasts into delicate strips and immerse them in a vibrant marinade of soy and oyster sauces for 10 minutes, allowing flavors to penetrate and soften the meat.
2. Prepare a boiling water bath and quickly submerge broccoli florets for 2-3 minutes until they radiate a vivid emerald hue, then immediately drain to preserve their crisp texture.
3. Ignite a wok or skillet with oil over medium-high heat and sizzle the marinated chicken until golden and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-7 minutes, ensuring each piece is succulent and caramelized.
4. Utilize the same pan to awaken minced garlic and ginger, releasing their aromatic essence for about 30 seconds, creating a fragrant foundation for the dish.
5. Reunite the perfectly cooked chicken and blanched broccoli in the skillet, gently tossing to ensure an even distribution of flavors and heat.
6. Create a silky cornstarch slurry by blending with water, then pour into the skillet and stir continuously for 2-3 minutes, watching the sauce transform into a glossy, clinging coating.
7. Elevate the dish’s complexity by introducing a whisper of sugar and a splash of rice vinegar, adjusting seasonings to achieve a harmonious balance of flavors.
8. Present the glistening chicken and broccoli atop a bed of steaming rice, ready to tantalize the palate with its rich, layered taste profile.

Notes

• Perfectly tenderize chicken by marinating in soy and oyster sauce, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply while softening meat texture.
• Blanch broccoli quickly to maintain vibrant green color and crisp-tender texture, preventing mushy vegetables that lose nutritional value.
• Achieve restaurant-style stir-fry by using high heat and constant movement, ensuring chicken browns evenly without becoming dry or tough.
• Customize the dish for different dietary needs by substituting soy sauce with tamari for gluten-free version, or using plant-based protein like tofu for vegetarian alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Stir-Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg