Description
This quick and healthy honey sesame chicken and broccoli stir-fry features juicy chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, and a glossy sweet-savory sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy lunches or weeknight dinners and is easily customizable for different diets.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 cups (about 200g) broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil (avocado or canola)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced (or 1 teaspoon dried ginger)
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup (60ml) water
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, toss chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Let marinate for at least 10 minutes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, water, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside.
- Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets. Mince garlic and ginger. Slice green onions for garnish.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken in a single layer. Sear for 2-3 minutes without stirring, then stir-fry another 2-3 minutes until cooked through and browned. Transfer to a plate.
- Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan. Add broccoli and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Return chicken to the pan. Stir the sauce again and pour over chicken and broccoli. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce bubbles, thickens, and coats everything.
- Remove from heat. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Prep all ingredients before starting, as stir-frying moves quickly. For gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Adjust honey for lower sugar, and swap in other veggies as desired. Don’t overcrowd the pan for best sear. Leftovers keep well for up to 3 days in the fridge. For a vegetarian version, use tofu and maple syrup or agave instead of honey.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/4 of recipe (approx. 1 1/2 cups)
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 11
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 27
Keywords: honey sesame chicken, broccoli stir-fry, healthy lunch, quick stir-fry, easy chicken recipe, Asian chicken, meal prep, gluten-free option, dairy-free, sesame chicken, weeknight dinner