Stir-Fried Sesame Chicken with Broccoli and Garlic
A quick stir-fry featuring tender chicken pieces tossed with crisp broccoli and a savory garlic-sesame sauce. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs broccoli florets, minced garlic cloves, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch strips boneless skinless chicken breast
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 sliced for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 lb cut chicken breast strips with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through.
- Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp sesame oil and 4 minced garlic cloves, sauté over medium heat for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 3 cups broccoli florets and stir-fry for 4 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender.
- Step 5: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp water, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
- Step 6: Return chicken to the skillet, pour the sauce mixture over, and stir for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats chicken and broccoli.
- Step 7: Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions on top before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Sesame Chicken with Broccoli and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Stir-Fried Sesame Chicken with Broccoli and Garlic?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep broccoli florets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Sesame Chicken with Broccoli and Garlic?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Stir-Fried Sesame Chicken with Broccoli and Garlic for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Stir-Fried Sesame Chicken with Broccoli and Garlic?
Asian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
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