We love this chicken and broccoli stir fry recipe, which features tender and juicy chicken, perfectly cooked broccoli, and the most delicious homemade stir fry sauce. We call for Shaoxing wine (Chinese rice wine) in this recipe. I highly recommend it in this recipe, but I have provided substitutes below.
1 ¼ pounds boneless and skinless chicken breast or thighs
1 pound broccoli florets, cut into small pieces, 5 to 6 cups
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons neutral oil like vegetable or avocado oil
6 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons minced fresh ginger (thumb-size piece)
1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
2 tablespoons dark soy sauce or tamari
2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine, see tips for substitutes
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
Slice the chicken against the grain into thin strips, then add to a bowl with 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon oil. Mix well. Marinate for at least 30 minutes. If marinating for longer, do so in the refrigerator.
Make the stir-fry sauce by combining all the sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan and placing it over medium heat. Heat the sauce while stirring until the sugar dissolves.
In a small bowl, stir 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water. Set aside.
Heat a large, heavy skillet or wok over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of high-heat oil (like vegetable or avocado oil).
Add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Let it cook for one minute without moving until the underside starts to brown.
Toss the chicken and continue cooking until it’s almost cooked, 3 to 5 more minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Add another tablespoon of oil to the hot pan. Stir in the broccoli florets and cook, stirring frequently, until bright green and crisp-tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
Return the chicken to the pan and toss with the broccoli for about a minute.
Pour in the stir-fry sauce. Give the cornstarch mixture another quick stir, then slowly add it to the pan.
Stir constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and broccoli. Serve immediately.