Amazing 20-Min Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

If you are staring down a long day and need a flavorful, filling dinner on the table fast, then this quick chicken broccoli stir fry is the answer you’ve been waiting for! I’m Anna, and I’m absolutely obsessed with sharing simple, flavorful chicken recipes that make everyday cooking feel joyful instead of like a chore. We all have those evenings where the clock is ticking, and takeout seems like the only option, right? Well, not anymore!

This recipe is my secret weapon. It takes humble pantry staples and turns them into a gorgeous, savory meal in under 30 minutes. That means you get that delicious, glossy sesame-ginger flavor without sacrificing your entire evening. Trust me, once you see how fast this comes together, it’s going straight into your regular rotation.

Why This Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe Works For You

When life gets hectic, your dinner shouldn’t require a trip to three different specialty stores or an hour of chopping. This particular recipe is built for speed and flavor, which is why it’s become such a staple in my house. It’s satisfying, packed with protein, and uses things I usually just have on hand.

• It seriously takes 30 minutes total. I time myself every time I make it!
• The sauce is just whisking things together—no fancy reductions or complicated steps needed.
• It’s a fantastic source of lean protein to keep you full through the evening slump.
• I love that the broccoli gets perfectly steamed while I’m searing the chicken. It keeps the dish light and bright, not soggy!

Essential Ingredients for Your Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

Okay, let’s talk ingredients! The beauty of this dinner is that you probably have most of this stuff lurking in your cabinets already. We’re making a huge flavor punch with just a few simple things, which is why I love it so much for busy nights. You need about 12 ounces of broccoli florets and one pound of chicken breasts, cut into nice bite-sized pieces. Make sure those pieces are roughly the same size so they cook evenly!

The magic, as always, is in the sauce. It comes together so quickly, but it hits all the right notes—savory, a little sweet, and just a tiny kick!

The Sesame Ginger Sauce Components

This sauce is the heart of our stir fry. You want to balance the saltiness of the soy sauce with the sweetness of honey and the sharpness of the vinegar. Start by whisking two tablespoons of cornstarch with half of your broth or water until it’s totally smooth—seriously, no lumps allowed, or your sauce will be gritty! Then you add the rest of the liquid components: tamari or soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, pressed garlic (I use three cloves, minced fine!), ginger paste (about one teaspoon), and just a whisper of red chili pepper flakes for warmth.

Preparing the Chicken and Broccoli

Remember how I said even cooking matters? For the broccoli, trim those florets so they are uniform. We steam them separately so they stay bright green and tender-crisp, not mushy. For the chicken, cut your pound of breasts into uniform pieces. You want them small enough to cook fast but big enough that they don’t dry out when we sear them over high heat. A little salt and pepper on the chicken before it hits the pan goes a long way!

Gathering Your Equipment

You don’t need a fancy wok for this recipe, but you do need a few key items ready to go so you can move fast once the heat is on. Have your measuring cups and spoons set out for the sauce ingredients—precision helps when you’re dealing with cornstarch! You’ll definitely want a large skillet or a wok for searing the chicken properly. And most importantly, grab a medium pot and a steamer basket so you can get that broccoli steamed perfectly while the chicken browns.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

This is where the magic happens, and speed is key! We’re multitasking here to get this dinner done in 15 minutes of active cooking time. Make sure everything is prepped before you turn on the stove, because once you start searing, things move fast!

Mixing the Flavorful Sauce

First things first: the sauce needs to be ready to pour. In a small bowl, take two tablespoons of cornstarch and whisk it thoroughly with just half of your measured water or broth. You have to get this part smooth—if you see any white clumps, keep whisking! Once that slurry is perfect, add the rest of your broth, the tamari or soy sauce, the honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, ginger paste, and those little red chili flakes. Give it one final stir to combine everything, and set it right next to your stove. Remember, cornstarch settles fast, so you’ll need to whisk it again right before you pour it in!

Steaming the Broccoli Perfectly

We steam the broccoli separately so it stays vibrant and doesn’t get waterlogged in the sauce later. Put about two inches of water in your medium pot and bring it to a boil. Place your trimmed broccoli florets in the steamer basket over the water. Cover it up, turn the heat down to low, and let it gently steam for about five to seven minutes. You want it tender, but still firm enough to offer a little resistance when you poke it. Once it’s done, take it off the heat, but leave it covered so it stays warm.

Searing and Cooking the Chicken

Now crank your skillet or wok up to high heat. Add one tablespoon of sesame oil—be quick, it heats up almost instantly! Spread your seasoned chicken pieces out in a single layer. Don’t touch them for a full minute or two! This is crucial for building up that gorgeous golden crust we want. Once the bottoms are seared, stir fry them constantly for about three more minutes until they are almost cooked through. Always double-check that internal temperature—it needs to hit 165 degrees Fahrenheit before we move on to the next step. Safety first, always!

Bringing the Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry Together

Once the chicken is almost done, turn the heat down just a touch. Now is the time to give that sauce one last vigorous whisk! Pour the sauce right over the chicken in the pan. Stir continuously with your spatula. You’ll see it start to bubble and thicken up really quickly, usually within a minute or two, turning into that beautiful, glossy coating. Once it’s thickened, pull the pan off the heat immediately so you don’t overcook the chicken. Now, toss in your warm, steamed broccoli—I just let everyone mix it into their own bowls later, but you can mix it in now if you prefer! Serve it right away over hot rice before that sauce cools down.

Tips for Perfect Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry Results

Even though this is a fast recipe, there are a few little tricks I learned the hard way that make the difference between a good stir fry and an amazing one. These tips are about respecting the ingredients and the high heat required for this style of cooking. Don’t skip these little details—they are what elevate weeknight cooking!

Achieving Even Cooking

I mentioned trimming the broccoli earlier, but it’s worth repeating: uniform pieces cook at the same rate. If you have giant florets next to tiny ones, you end up with some mushy bits and some hard bits. Also, when you sear the chicken, make sure you aren’t piling it too high in the pan. If you overcrowd the skillet, the temperature drops instantly, and the chicken starts steaming instead of searing. You won’t get that beautiful brown crust we are aiming for. If you have to cook the chicken in two batches, trust me—do it! It’s worth the extra minute.

Variations on Your Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

If you want to switch things up next time, this recipe is super flexible! That sesame ginger sauce is wonderful with almost any vegetable you have hanging around. If you don’t have broccoli, snap peas or sliced carrots work beautifully; just toss them in the steamer basket along with the broccoli, or steam them for a few minutes longer if they are harder like carrots.

For spice lovers, don’t be shy! You can easily double the red chili pepper flakes, or maybe even stir in a dash of sriracha right at the end with the sauce for an extra punch of heat. It’s all about making this quick dinner your own!

Serving Suggestions for Your Meal

This savory chicken broccoli dish is practically begging to be served over something fluffy to soak up all that delicious sauce! The recipe calls for cooked rice, which is my go-to because it’s fast and familiar. But if you’re looking for alternatives, don’t hesitate to try it over fluffy quinoa for an extra protein boost. If you are looking for more quick dinner ideas, check out my chicken stir fry recipe.

For a lighter, lower-carb option, cauliflower rice is fantastic here. Just make sure your rice substitute is warm when you serve it so it doesn’t cool down your perfectly hot stir fry!

Storing and Reheating Leftover Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

I always hope there are leftovers because this keeps so well! You can safely store your cooked chicken broccoli stir fry in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If you know you won’t get to it that soon, it freezes beautifully for up to two months. It’s such a lifesaver to have pre-made dinner waiting for those super chaotic evenings! If you enjoy quick meals like this, you might also like my recipe for easy chicken lo mein.

Keeping Sauce Consistency Fresh

Now, when you reheat this, the sauce might look a little thick or gelatinous—that’s just the cornstarch doing its job and settling in the cold! Don’t panic and don’t add more honey! Just put the leftovers in a microwave-safe bowl or back into your skillet over low heat. The key here is adding just a tiny splash of water or chicken broth while you reheat it. Stir it around gently as it warms up, and that liquid will loosen the sauce right back up to its original glossy texture. It reheats perfectly every time!

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry

I always get questions about this recipe because people are amazed how fast it comes together! It’s designed to be flexible for busy families, but here are a few things folks ask most often about getting the best results for their quick dinner. You can find more inspiration for quick meals on my Pinterest page.

Can I Substitute the Chicken?

Absolutely! If you aren’t feeling chicken, shrimp works wonderfully in this recipe. Shrimp cooks incredibly fast, so you’ll toss it in after the sesame oil is hot and sear it for just 1 to 2 minutes per side until it turns pink and opaque. If you want a vegetarian option, use firm or extra-firm tofu. Press the tofu well to get rid of excess water, cut it into cubes, and toss it with the cornstarch before searing it just like you would the chicken—it will get wonderfully crispy!

How to Make This Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry Gluten-Free?

This is an easy fix! The primary source of gluten in most stir fry recipes is the soy sauce. Luckily, the recipe already gives you the perfect solution: simply use tamari instead of regular soy sauce. Tamari is a Japanese condiment that is naturally brewed without wheat, so it gives you that deep, savory flavor without any gluten worries. Just make sure you still whisk that cornstarch slurry really well!

Share Your Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry Experience

I truly hope this quick chicken broccoli stir fry has saved your weeknight when you needed it most! Cooking should be fun, not stressful, and I always love hearing how this recipe fits into your busy schedule. Did the sesame ginger sauce turn out just right for your family? For more chicken ideas, check out my recipe for Hawaiian Style Teriyaki Chicken.

Reader Feedback and Ratings

Please take a moment to leave a rating below and tell me what you thought! I want to know if you found it easy to prepare and what you thought of the flavor balance. Your feedback helps me keep making simple, joyful recipes for everyone!

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