Homemade Chinese Chicken and Broccoli recipe that is so easy to make. Ready in 30 minutes it tastes just like your favorite Chinese takeout, but instead a more healthy home-cooked version!
Homemade Chinese Chicken and Broccoli
Craving Chinese takeout? Try this homemade Chinese Chicken and Broccoli recipe you can whip up in 30 minutes! My family loves this juicy chicken with crunchy broccoli covered in a brown sauce. And my recipe includes a little extra sauce because we love our chicken and broccoli saucy!
it’s the perfect way to turn Chinese takeout into a healthy home-cooked meal you can enjoy on repeat! Packed with simple ingredients, protein, and healthy veggies, you can feel good about serving it.
Tip: You can use chicken thighs or chicken breasts, but I think chicken thighs tastes much more like traditional Chinese takeout!
So next time you are craving Chinese, but don’t want to make the trip out to the takeout Chinese place (or spend money!), head to the kitchen and make your own!
Looking for more takeout recipes? Try my Easy Indian Butter Chicken, Beef and Mushroom Dumplings Soup, Chinese Buffet Green Beans and Chicken Chow Mein too!
Healthy Chicken and Broccoli Ingredients
Vegetables
- Fresh Broccoli
- Sugar snap peas or snow peas (adds a nice crunch!), if you don’t have them you can skip them or add chopped green bell pepper instead.
For the Chicken Marinade
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut up into bite-size pieces. You can also use chicken breast if you like but I think dark meat is better in this dish.
- Cornstarch
- Sugar
- Baking soda
- Low sodium soy sauce
- Vegetable oil
- Water
For the sauce
- Low sodium soy sauce
- Minced garlic
- Brown sugar
- Flour
- Rice cooking wine (if you don’t have it, you can skip it!)
- Vegetable oil
- Sesame oil
Additionally
- Vegetable oil to fry in
- Chicken broth, but you can also use water if you don’t have broth.
How to Make Chinese Chicken and Broccoli
In a large bowl, mix the marinade ingredients. Add the bite-size chicken pieces into a bowl and stir to coat. Set aside fora few minutes while you work on the next step.
In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients.
Heat up vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, its marinade, and 1/2 of the sauce mixture. Keep cooking until chicken is fully cooked.
Add broccoli and sugar snap peas, remaining sauce, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and cook until the sauce thickens and the broccoli is tender.
Serve alongside white rice for a full meal. Enjoy!
How to Store Chinese Chicken and Broccoli
Got leftovers? You can store Chinese Chicken and Broccoli in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator!
Sometimes I meal prep this meal, making it on a Sunday and then serving it on Monday or Tuesday. All I need to do is throw it in the microwave to heat up, and then serve over rice.
Pin for later:
Chinese Chicken and Broccoli (tastes like takeout!)
PrintIngredients
Vegetables
- 1 large head broccoli cut up into florets
- 1/4 cup sugar snap peas or snow peas strings removed, chopped into thirds
For the chicken marinade
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs cut up into bite size pieces
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon water
For the sauce
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium)
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon rice cooking wine
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Additionally
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to fry in
- 1 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix together the chicken marinade ingredients: cornstarch, sugar, baking soda, soy sauce, vegetable oil and water. Add the bite size chicken pieces into bowl and stir to coat. Set aside.
- In a smaller bowl mix together the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, minced garlic, brown sugar, flour, rice cooking wine, vegetable oil and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Heat up 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken, it's marinade and 1/2 of the sauce mixture. Keep cooking until chicken is fully cooked, about 4-6 minutes per side, making sure to stir often to prevent sticking.
- Add broccoli and sugar snap peas, remaining sauce and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and cook for 5-7 minutes or until the sauce thickens up and broccoli is tender.
- Serve in bowls alongside rice. Enjoy your homemade chicken and broccoli!
Nicole says
Can this be done with beef and broccoli too? Would you make any adjustments to the recipe if using beef?
Pamela says
Hey Nicole, I would try it the same way – let me know how it works out!
Nicole says
Forgot to write back until now cuz we just made it with chicken. Both were delish! The beef needed a little. More soy sauce. This time with chicken I decided to see what it was like without flour so to thicken I cooked some squash and mashed it into the sauce. It came out just as good. Also used honey and balsamic vinegar since I didn’t have rice vinegar or sugar. Have you ever made lo mein w/ soba noodles?
Design Your Interiors says
Great pics and amazing recipe. Keep up the good work!
Pamela says
Thanks!
Food to Fitness says
Looks great. Thanks for sharing.
Pamela says
Thanks!
Monica says
Pamela – I stir-fry all the time since it’s what I grew up with but I still have so much to learn when it comes to the sauces. I recently just checked out the Chinese take-out cookbook. It’s a riot since I’m Chinese myself but don’t know how to make any of that stuff! Takeout is so convenient but lately, it’s been so much more rewarding (healthier) cooking and eating at home! I love broccoli too. : )
Pamela says
I have to check out the cookbook, thanks for the tip! I love takeout Chinese but afterwards I always feel so guilty. I hope you try this dish and like it! 🙂
tracy {pale yellow} says
Yummy! So much fresher and healthier than take-out and a great use of all your gorgeous broccoli!
Pamela says
Thanks Tracy! It has turned into one of our favorite meals!
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
I always order chicken and broccoli for takeout. I have to try to make this at home! It looks delicious.
Pamela says
Let me know if you try it Sally, enjoy!
renee dwyer says
I LOVE LOVE your blog xx this looks gorgeous, and would taste even better with home grown veggies x
Pamela says
It’s YUMMY!
Suzanne says
I have tried to replicate chinese takeout and failed, unlike you I gave up and order in. This sounds exactly right and I am going to be making it quicker than picking up the phone and ordering. So glad you perservered. Saved!!
Pamela says
Super happy to hear Suzanne! I tried many recipes but they just never worked out… until this one… then it all changed. Thank you chicken and broccoli!
Melanie Ellsworth says
WOW! so yummy – my mouth is watering! I love this and love broccoli – so excited to try this recipe.
thanks for sharing – it’s making me so hungry. I can’t wait to grow broccoli this fall. love it!
love the pics!
you’re the best!
Mel
Pamela says
Thanks Mel! Enjoy your broccoli! We just started our seedlings the other day… can’t wait for the next Fall batch. 🙂
Dan from Platter Talkk says
Love this!! We will definitely be putting this on our menu at home, soon. Thanks for sharing this great idea!
Pamela says
Great to hear Dan, enjoy!
Katie says
You can’t beat the salty MSG-laden chicken and broccoli at Chinese restaurants. I can polish one off in one sitting. Pinning this!
Pamela says
Me too Katie.. and now I can do it at home!
Emma says
Unfortuntately…… I never feel guilty about eating Chinese takeout. ….which I do nearly once a week. It just makes me so happy!
I do usually give my broccoli pieces to my boyfriend, in part because I’m not the biggest fan, but more so because he loves broccoli as much as you do. So sad that the broccoli we tried to grow last year failed – even sadder since it’s one of the staple crops grown locally! 😛
Pamela says
Bummer about the broccoli, but hopefully next year is a big broccoli year for you guys and it grows double in size!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I need to start cooking more Asian dishes at home – this made me crave it!! Yummm
Pamela says
Enjoy Ashley, it’s easy to make too.. bonus!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel says
That sauce is BOSSSSS. LOVE chicken and broccoli!!
Pamela says
“Boss Sauce”, love it.
2sistersrecipes says
This is what I have been waiting for- stir fry chicken and broccoli…OMG is everyone’s favorite and now I have a recipe for it! Yes!
thank you Pamela !
Pamela says
*High 5* Enjoy your chicken and broccoli!
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
This looks so yummy…love all those fresh veggies! It’s always nice to be able to make your favorite meal at home instead of spending money (and calories) going out.
Pamela says
Totally agree Amy! It feels great to be able to make your favorites!
Amy Tong says
My kids and I love broccoli (I’m so thankful my kids are big fans too!) This Chinese Takeout Chicken and Broccoli is one of the dishes I made quite often, usually with beef though. 🙂 And I sometimes make a vegetarian version with all sorts of veggies. My kids are going to love your version with “extra” sauce. hehe…
Pamela says
A family of broccoli lovers, that’s awesome. Definitely need that extra sauce.. 🙂 🙂
Sarah | The Sugar Hit says
I looooooove broccoli too! Especially in any stir-fried format. Thanks for the recipe!
Pamela says
No problem Sarah, enjoy!
ashley - baker by nature says
I love broccoli, too, and I could easily eat this meal multiple times a week! Looks fabulous, love! xo
Pamela says
Me too Ashley! Thanks for stopping by!
Heather @ Snookies Cakes says
That looks so good! I always have an issue recreating Chinese food as well, it’s never quite right. I’ll have to try this!
Pamela says
Let me know how you like it Heather! 🙂
Mr. & Mrs. P says
Nice way to use you harvest!! Sound wonderful and the taste of the veggies still come through!
Kelly says
This looks delicious Pamela! Your gorgeous garden broccoli definitely shines in this dish! Love recreating takeout dishes at home too and you did a fabulous job! Yum!
Pamela says
Thanks Kelly! The broccoli is shining brightly at your comments! 🙂
The Squishy Monster says
I can taste the broccoli love!!
Pamela says
YUUUUUUM!
Faith @ Pixie Dust Kitchen says
I’m the same way- I always get a broccoli dish when I order Chinese! I usually make stir fry if I’m making chinese at home but this dish would be great to shake things up!
Pamela says
Let me know if you try it Faith!
Nora @ Buttercream Fanatic says
I love the idea of chicken and broccoli, but every time I order it, I hate how unhealthy it tastes (and makes me feel). Your version seems much more like something I’d like!
Pamela says
Definitely, I feel the same way.. guilty afterwards! There is no guilt involved with this one!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
I always prefer making my own stir-fry meals at home. You control what goes into your food. At Chinese restaurants, there are a ton of oil and fat, not to mention MSG. This looks absolutely DELICIOUS! The broccoli is cooked perfectly and it’s so vibrant! Well done Pamela. 🙂 Pinning!
Pamela says
Thanks Anne! I totally agree with you, the amount of MSG in most takeout dishes is enough to scare anyone away!
miss messy says
I’m a massive broccoli fan too! This looks delicious and I would love to try it with tofu! 🙂
Pamela says
That would be great too! Let me know if you try it!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Oh how yummy does this look! I hardly ever cook Asian dishes at home b/c they seem challenging at times, but I love how EASY this is! Definitely trying it soon. Thanks for sharing!
Pamela says
I hope you give this a try Georgia, it’s easy and pretty quick to make! Enjoy!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets says
My hubs loves beef broccoli, I’m sure he would love this chicken version too!! Looks delish.
Pamela says
Thanks Aimee, I hope he enjoys it (and you too!).