Easy Peasy Chicken and Broccoli

chicken breast

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Tofu is plant-based and lower in calories, while chicken thighs are often less expensive.

soy sauce

🥗Healthier: low-sodium soy sauce

💰Cheaper: tamari

Low-sodium soy sauce reduces sodium intake, while tamari is gluten-free.

sesame oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil offers healthier fats, while canola oil is often more affordable.

cornstarch

🥗Healthier: arrowroot powder

💰Cheaper: flour

Arrowroot is a gluten-free thickener, while flour is usually cheaper.

Cube 1 pound of chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.

Season the chicken with a little bit of salt and pepper, and massage it in with your hands.

Set the chicken aside and get a fresh chopping board.

Finely chop 2 cloves of garlic.

Cut broccoli into bite-sized florets, aiming for about 2 cups in total.

Preheat a large frying pan over medium low heat.

Add a little bit of butter and a little bit of olive oil to the hot pan.

Once the fat is hot, add the cubed chicken to the pan, spreading it out evenly.

Leave the chicken untouched for at least 8 to 10 minutes until browned on one side, then flip to brown the other side.

Once the chicken is cooked through and golden, use a slotted spoon to remove it and set it aside in a bowl.

Add the chopped garlic into the remaining fat in the frying pan.

Add the broccoli to the pan and stir for about 1 minute.

Pour in 1/2 cup of chicken broth, cover with a lid, and reduce the heat to low to steam the broccoli for approximately 5 minutes.

Check the broccoli for doneness; cook for 3 minutes for crunchy, or up to 8 minutes for softer broccoli.

Once the broccoli is to your liking, use the slotted spoon to remove it and set it aside (you can add it to the chicken if desired).

Prepare the sticky sauce by mixing together 1 teaspoon of ginger paste, 1/2 tablespoon of honey, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar.

Make a slurry with 1/2 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1/2 tablespoon of water, then mix it well.

Pour the slurry into the sauce mixture and stir to combine.

Add the chicken back into the pan to reheat and coat in the sauce.

Optionally, mix the broccoli back into the pan or serve it on top of brown rice with the chicken on the side.

Pour the sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens