Chinese Chicken and Broccoli
A quick and healthy weeknight meal featuring tender chicken and broccoli in a savory sauce.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 20 ounces skinless boneless chicken breast cut into ¼ inch slices, about 2 chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon oil (any neutral oil is fine)
For the Sauce
- ⅔ cup soy sauce (light sodium)
- ⅔ cup water
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 1½ teaspoons toasted sesame oil
For the Vegetables
- 1 pound broccoli cut into florets, about 1 crown
- 1½ tablespoons garlic minced, about 4 cloves
- 1½ tablespoons ginger minced, about a 1½ inch knob
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken slices with 3 tablespoons of water, Shaoxing cooking wine, kosher salt, baking soda, and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
- Mix well to ensure each piece of chicken is properly coated.
- Let the chicken marinate for about 15-20 minutes.
Prepare the Sauce
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the ⅔ cup soy sauce, ⅔ cup water, 4 tablespoons of granulated sugar, and 2½ tablespoons of cornstarch until smooth.
- Add 1½ teaspoons of toasted sesame oil and set aside.
Make the Chicken and Broccoli
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the marinated chicken slices to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and ginger, stir-frying for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the broccoli florets and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they are bright green and tender-crisp.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and broccoli.
- Stir all ingredients together until evenly coated, cooking until the sauce thickens for another 2-3 minutes.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with tofu or shrimp. You can also vary the sauce with ingredients like oyster sauce or hoisin.