Szechuan-Style Chicken and Broccoli
A fiery Chinese-inspired stir-fry with tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and a numbing peppercorn sauce. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken breast, head, cut into florets broccoli, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 chicken breast
- 1 head, cut into florets broccoli
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp peppercorns
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 1 lb chicken breast into 1/2-inch cubes. Marinate in 3 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tbsp rice vinegar for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a wok over high heat. Add 2 tbsp vegetable oil, then 1 lb chicken and stir-fry for 5 minutes until golden.
- Step 3: Add 1 head broccoli florets and 3 minced garlic cloves. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Add 1 tbsp peppercorns, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar. Cook for 1 minute, then stir to coat. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Szechuan-Style Chicken and Broccoli take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Szechuan-Style Chicken and Broccoli?
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 chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Szechuan-Style Chicken and Broccoli?
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 Szechuan-Style Chicken and Broccoli 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 Szechuan-Style Chicken and Broccoli?
Chinese 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Swapped butter for olive oil to keep it lighter. Still delicious.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
