Simple Homemade Chicken and Broccoli Chinese Takeout Recipe

Let me share a delightful homemade chicken and broccoli chinese takeout recipe that rivals any restaurant version.

Crispy, tender chunks of chicken mingle with vibrant green broccoli florets in a savory sauce that sings with authentic flavors.

My kitchen adventure started when I wanted something healthier than typical takeout meals.

Packed with protein and vegetables, this dish comes together faster than a delivery service could arrive.

Fragrant garlic and ginger infuse each bite with depth and warmth that will make you forget about ordering in.

Forget complicated techniques – you can master this simple yet spectacular meal in less than thirty minutes.

Grab your wok and get ready to impress everyone at the dinner table with restaurant-quality magic from your own kitchen.

Ways To Change Up Homemade Chicken And Broccoli Chinese Takeout

• Spicy Sichuan Fusion: Amp up the heat by adding Sichuan peppercorns and doubling the red pepper flakes for a fiery kick that transforms the dish into a bold, numbing flavor experience.
• Creamy Coconut Chicken: Incorporate coconut milk into the sauce for a rich, tropical twist that adds depth and smoothness to the classic stir-fry.
• Vegetarian Green Protein: Replace chicken with tofu or tempeh, using extra-firm varieties that crisp up beautifully when stir-fried, maintaining the dish's protein-packed essence.
• Nutty Cashew Crunch: Toss in roasted cashews during the final cooking stage to introduce a satisfying crunch and nutty undertone that complements the savory sauce.

Your Homemade Chicken And Broccoli Chinese Takeout Questions Answered

• Why marinate the chicken with soy sauce and cornstarch?

The cornstarch helps create a protective coating that locks in moisture and makes the chicken tender, while soy sauce adds flavor and helps the meat brown beautifully during cooking.

• Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Fresh broccoli is best for maintaining crisp texture, but if you’re in a pinch, thawed frozen broccoli works. Just drain excess water and reduce steaming time to prevent mushiness.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The red pepper flakes provide a mild heat. You can adjust the amount to make it more or less spicy according to your preference, or skip them entirely for a milder version.

• What if I don't have oyster sauce?

Oyster sauce adds depth of flavor, but you can substitute with hoisin sauce or mix equal parts soy sauce and worcestershire sauce as an alternative to maintain the umami taste.

Why Homemade Chicken And Broccoli Chinese Takeout Feels Like The Real Deal

• Quick Weeknight Meal: Whip up this delicious Chinese-inspired dish in just 20 minutes, perfect for busy families craving takeout flavors without the wait or delivery cost.
• Healthier Homemade Alternative: Pack in more nutrients with fresh broccoli, lean chicken, and control your own ingredients compared to traditional takeout, making it a smarter choice for health-conscious food lovers.
• Customizable Flavor Explosion: Easily adjust spice levels with red pepper flakes, swap proteins, or add extra vegetables to match your taste preferences and create a personalized meal experience.
• Minimal Cooking Skills Required: Minimal chopping and simple stir-fry technique make this recipe approachable for beginner cooks, guaranteeing a restaurant-quality meal with basic kitchen skills.

Everything You’ll Need For Homemade Chicken And Broccoli Chinese Takeout

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the main component of the dish, best when sliced thinly against the grain for tender texture.
• Soy Sauce: Adds deep umami flavor and helps tenderize the chicken during marination.

• Chicken Broth, Rice Vinegar: Creates balanced liquid base with tangy undertones.
• Oyster Sauce, Brown Sugar: Provides rich sweetness and complex depth to the sauce.
• Sesame Oil: Adds nutty, authentic Chinese flavor profile.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken sauce and create glossy coating.

• Broccoli: Fresh green vegetable that provides crunch and nutritional value, best when bright green and tender-crisp.
• Garlic, Ginger, Red Pepper Flakes: Classic Asian aromatics that deliver vibrant and spicy notes.
• Green Onions, Sesame Seeds: Optional garnishes that enhance visual appeal and add fresh flavor.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking oil for stir-frying chicken and vegetables.

Step By Step For Homemade Chicken And Broccoli Chinese Takeout

Step 1: Prepare Savory Chicken Marinade

Slice chicken and place in a mixing bowl. Add soy sauce and cornstarch, gently tossing to coat each piece completely. Let the chicken absorb the flavors while you prep other ingredients.

Step 2: Craft Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Chicken broth
• Oyster sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Brown sugar
• Sesame oil
• Cornstarch

Blend until smooth and set aside.

Step 3: Sizzle and Brown Chicken

Heat oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat. Carefully add chicken pieces, spreading them out to ensure even cooking. Stir-fry until edges turn golden and chicken looks slightly crispy. Transfer chicken to a clean plate.

Step 4: Bring Broccoli to Life

• Broccoli florets
• Minced garlic
• Freshly grated ginger
• Red pepper flakes

Quickly stir-fry vegetables until they become vibrant green. Splash water and cover briefly to steam, creating perfectly crisp-tender broccoli.

Step 5: Marry Flavors Together

Return chicken to the pan. Pour prepared sauce over everything, stirring continuously. Watch the sauce transform and coat each ingredient with glossy deliciousness.

Step 6: Plate and Garnish

• Toasted sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions

Serve immediately while piping hot.

Pro Tips For Homemade Chicken And Broccoli Chinese Takeout

• Maximize Marinade Magic: Letting chicken sit in soy sauce and cornstarch creates a protective layer that seals in moisture, ensuring tender and flavorful meat during high-heat cooking.
• Sauce Consistency Secrets: Whisking cornstarch into the sauce prevents clumping and helps create a smooth, glossy coating that clings perfectly to chicken and broccoli.
• Quick Veggie Crunch Strategy: Steaming broccoli briefly maintains its vibrant green color and preserves nutrients while keeping a delightful crisp texture that complements the tender chicken.
• Temperature Control Technique: Using medium-high heat allows chicken to brown quickly without burning, creating a delicious caramelized exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
• Adaptable Diet Modification: Swap chicken with tofu for a vegetarian version, use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free option, or add extra vegetables like bell peppers for increased nutrition.

How To Keep Homemade Chicken And Broccoli Chinese Takeout Fresh

• Safely store your delicious chicken and broccoli in an airtight container within two hours of cooking.
• Refrigerate the dish for up to 3-4 days, keeping the flavors fresh and ingredients at their best.
• Separate rice or noodles from the main dish to prevent sogginess and maintain optimal texture.
• Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for convenient meal prep, lasting up to 2 months.
• When reheating, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Avoid repeated reheating to maintain food quality and safety, enjoying your homemade Chinese takeout at its most delicious.

What To Eat With Homemade Chicken And Broccoli Chinese Takeout

• Brew Complementary Beverages: Pair this savory chicken and broccoli dish with a crisp, light Asian beer like Tsingtao or Sapporo to cut through the rich sauce. Green tea also works wonderfully, offering a clean, refreshing counterpoint to the meal's bold flavors.
• Rice Variety Selection: Serve the stir-fry over jasmine rice for a fragrant base that absorbs the delicious sauce perfectly. Alternatively, try brown rice for added nutty complexity and extra nutritional value.
• Enhance with Crispy Sides: Add some crunchy egg rolls or crispy wontons on the side to provide textural contrast. These side items complement the tender chicken and soft broccoli, creating a more dynamic dining experience.
• Garnish with Fresh Touches: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the dish for a burst of freshness and added visual appeal. These light garnishes bring brightness and subtle complexity to the entire meal.

Homemade Chicken And Broccoli Chinese Takeout Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delicious homemade chicken and broccoli Chinese takeout brings restaurant-quality flavors straight to your kitchen. Crispy chicken, tender broccoli, and savory sauce combine for a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast (or thighs), thinly sliced

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 3 cups broccoli florets
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for spice)

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot powder for gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari)
• ¼ cup chicken broth (or water)
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (or hoisin sauce for a sweeter version)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (or honey for natural sweetness)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (to thicken)

Serving Suggestions:

• Cooked jasmine rice or noodles
• Sesame seeds & sliced green onions (for garnish)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Infuse sliced chicken with a robust marinade of umami-rich soy sauce and cornstarch, allowing the proteins to absorb flavor and develop a silky texture for approximately 5-10 minutes.
2. Craft a complex sauce by blending soy sauce, chicken broth, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, and cornstarch into a harmonious liquid that will elevate the dish’s overall taste profile.
3. Sear marinated chicken pieces in a scorching hot pan, creating a golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and develops deep caramelized notes. Transfer the expertly cooked chicken to a holding plate.
4. Transform the same cooking vessel by introducing broccoli florets, minced garlic, grated ginger, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Rapidly stir-fry the vegetables to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture, then introduce a splash of water to create a quick steam environment.
5. Reunite the reserved chicken with the verdant broccoli mixture, then cascade the prepared sauce over the ingredients. Gently toss and allow the sauce to thicken, coating every morsel with a glossy, flavor-packed glaze.
6. Present the aromatic creation atop a bed of fluffy rice or tender noodles, garnishing with a delicate shower of toasted sesame seeds and delicately sliced green onions for a final flourish of freshness and visual appeal.

Notes

• Marinating chicken with cornstarch helps create a silky, tender texture by trapping moisture and preventing protein fibers from tightening during cooking.
• Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels and allow more flexibility in seasoning the final dish.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari and use gluten-free cornstarch or arrowroot powder as a thickening agent.
• Ensure broccoli remains crisp-tender by avoiding overcooking; quick stir-frying preserves nutrients and maintains a vibrant green color and satisfying crunch.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Stir-Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 720mg
• Fat: 16g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 75mg