If you are searching for a vibrant and delicious home-cooked meal that comes together quickly and packs a punch of flavor, this Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe is an absolute winner. It’s beautifully balanced with tender chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, and a zingy, savory sauce that will have everyone at the dinner table asking for seconds. Perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you want a hearty, colorful meal that’s both healthy and satisfying, this recipe is a true crowd-pleaser and endlessly adaptable to your taste buds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting together this Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe is both simple and gratifying because the ingredients are straightforward yet critical to bringing layers of flavor and texture to your dish. Each fresh vegetable and perfectly selected sauce component works in harmony to elevate the meal beyond ordinary.
- Avocado oil: With its high smoke point, it’s perfect for stir frying without burning and adds a subtle nutty flavor.
- Yellow onion: Sliced thinly, it caramelizes to add a sweet and slightly tangy base layer.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Chopped bite-sized pieces cook evenly for tender, juicy protein hits.
- Garlic cloves: Minced fresh garlic infuses the stir fry with incredible aromatic depth.
- Broccoli crown: The star veggie adds vibrant green color with a satisfying crunch.
- Red bell pepper: Diced for bursts of sweetness and beautiful contrast.
- Sesame seeds and cilantro: For garnish, they provide texture and fresh herbal notes.
- Stir Fry Sauce Ingredients: Coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce alternative), chicken broth, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, tapioca flour (or gluten-free flour), fresh ginger, sea salt, and optional sriracha combine to create a rich, slightly tangy, and lightly spicy sauce that ties the whole dish together.
How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Stir Fry Sauce
Start by blending all the sauce ingredients together until silky and uniform. This step ensures that each mouthful of your Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe bursts with balanced flavor—from the zing of rice vinegar to the warmth of ginger—and thickens nicely as it cooks.
Step 2: Sauté the Onion
Heat up the avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat. Toss in the sliced onions, stirring regularly until they turn golden brown around the edges. This process unlocks their natural sweetness, creating a fragrant base that elevates the entire stir fry.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken and Garlic
Add the chicken pieces and minced garlic to the hot skillet. Stir often and let the chicken brown beautifully while absorbing the garlic’s inviting aroma. Don’t worry about fully cooking the chicken at this point, as it will continue cooking with the vegetables and sauce later.
Step 4: Add Vegetables and Sauce
Introduce the broccoli florets and diced red bell pepper into the skillet, followed by pouring in your freshly blended stir fry sauce. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Keep cooking at medium-high heat until the sauce thickens slightly and the broccoli is tender but still has some bite—this balance is key to the success of your Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe.
Step 5: Taste and Adjust Seasoning
Before you serve, give your stir fry a taste. This is your moment to tweak the seasoning with extra sea salt or a pinch of black pepper if needed. Customizing it to your palate makes this dish feel even more special.
How to Serve Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
Garnishes
Just before plating, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped cilantro or Thai basil on top. These little touches add contrast in texture and give that fresh herbal hint that complements the savory sauce perfectly, brightening every bite of your Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe.
Side Dishes
Serve this stir fry with fluffy steamed brown rice or white rice to soak up the savory sauce; alternatively, cauliflower rice works wonderfully if you want to keep it low-carb. A light cucumber salad or simple miso soup pairs well, rounding out the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the stir fry wrapped in lettuce cups for a fresh, handheld option. You can also pile it over warm noodles or even roasted sweet potato slices to create a vibrant and unexpected presentation. Whatever you choose, the colorful Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe will shine.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers are best kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making the next-day lunch or dinner just as delicious. Just make sure to cool the dish to room temperature before storing.
Freezing
If you want to freeze portions, separate the stir fry into freezer-safe containers and keep them in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready for a quick meal, thaw in the fridge overnight for even reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to prevent drying out. Adding a splash of chicken broth can help restore moisture and refresh the delicious sauce that makes this Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe so irresistible.
FAQs
Can I use other vegetables besides broccoli?
Absolutely! Vegetables like snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, or bok choy work beautifully and add variety. Just adjust cooking times to ensure they stay crisp-tender, keeping the texture balance just right.
Is there a substitute for coconut aminos?
If you don’t have coconut aminos, low-sodium soy sauce mixed with a touch of brown sugar or maple syrup replicates its sweetness and umami flavor. Just remember to adjust the salt content of the dish accordingly.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Yes! Using tapioca flour instead of regular flour for thickening keeps the dish gluten-free, and choosing gluten-free soy sauce or coconut aminos ensures the sauce is safe for gluten-sensitive eaters.
How spicy is the stir fry if I add sriracha?
Adding sriracha gives the dish a mild to moderate heat that enhances the flavor without overpowering. You can always leave it out or add less if you prefer a gentler spice level in your Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe.
What’s the best way to cook chicken for stir fry?
Cutting chicken breasts into evenly sized small pieces cooks them quickly and keeps them tender. Cooking over high heat initially helps brown the chicken, locking in juices before adding the sauce and vegetables.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe is one of those dishes that feels effortless but delivers so much flavor and comfort in every bite. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, it’s a reliable mealtime hero that takes you from prep to plate in just about 30 minutes. Give it a try—you’ll soon see why it becomes a favorite go-to recipe in your collection!
PrintChicken and Broccoli Stir Fry Recipe
This Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful meal combining tender chicken breast, fresh broccoli, and colorful bell peppers in a savory stir-fry sauce made with coconut aminos and sesame oil. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, it can be served over rice or cauliflower rice and topped with sesame seeds and fresh herbs for added texture and brightness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Chinese
Ingredients
Chicken Broccoli Stir Fry
- 2 Tbsp avocado oil
- 1 medium-sized yellow onion, sliced
- 1 to 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 4 large cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large crown broccoli, chopped into florets
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- Sesame seeds, for serving
- Cilantro, for serving
Stir Fry Sauce
- ½ cup coconut aminos
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp tapioca flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 2 inch nub ginger, peeled
- ½ tsp sea salt (to taste)
- 1 Tbsp sriracha (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Stir Fry Sauce: Add all stir fry sauce ingredients—coconut aminos, chicken broth, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, tapioca flour, peeled ginger, sea salt, and sriracha if using—to a small blender. Blend until well combined. Alternatively, whisk thoroughly in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Sauté Onions: Heat avocado oil in a large 12-inch nonstick skillet or wok over high heat. Add sliced onion and sauté, stirring often, until edges turn golden brown.
- Cook Chicken and Garlic: Add chopped chicken and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir well and cook, occasionally stirring, until chicken is browned but not fully cooked. If cooking too fast, reduce heat to medium.
- Add Vegetables and Sauce: Add broccoli florets and diced red bell pepper to the skillet, then pour in the prepared stir-fry sauce. Stir everything together and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and broccoli reaches desired tenderness.
- Season and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with sea salt and black pepper as needed. Serve the stir fry over steamed brown rice, white rice, or cauliflower rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Add cilantro or Thai basil for extra freshness if desired.
Notes
- Replace coconut aminos with ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce and 2 tablespoons brown sugar or pure maple syrup for a soy-based sauce alternative. If using soy sauce substitution, omit the sea salt in the sauce and add salt at the end to taste.
- Tapioca flour can be substituted with cornstarch or regular all-purpose flour if gluten is not a concern. This ingredient thickens the sauce.
