why make this recipe
Honey Sesame Chicken Broccoli is a delightful dish that combines sweet and savory flavors in one bowl. It’s quick to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a family gathering. The juicy chicken pairs well with the crunchy broccoli, and the honey sesame sauce brings everything together. Plus, this dish is a great way to enjoy your vegetables!
how to make Honey Sesame Chicken Broccoli
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch or arrowroot flour
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot flour
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
Directions
-
Fill a large pot with 2 to 3 inches of water and add the broccoli with 1 teaspoon salt. Bring it to a simmer, cover, and cook over low heat for 6 minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
-
In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce (or coconut aminos), water, toasted sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, cornstarch, and sesame seeds. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
-
Place chicken pieces in a large zipper bag. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Add this mixture to the bag, seal it, and shake to coat each piece of chicken evenly.
-
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Turn the chicken to brown all sides, cooking until fully cooked through with no pink in the center.
-
Once the chicken is golden and cooked, pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Stir and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
-
Add the steamed broccoli to the skillet, and gently fold it in with the chicken and sauce. If needed, transfer to a larger bowl.
-
Sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve warm.
how to serve Honey Sesame Chicken Broccoli
You can serve Honey Sesame Chicken Broccoli over cooked rice or noodles for a complete meal. The sauce goes perfectly with steamed jasmine or brown rice. You might also enjoy it alongside a simple salad or some dumplings for extra flavor and variety.
how to store Honey Sesame Chicken Broccoli
To store leftovers, place the Honey Sesame Chicken Broccoli in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should last for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use a microwave or heat it gently on the stove until warmed through.
tips to make Honey Sesame Chicken Broccoli
- Make sure to cut the chicken into even bite-sized pieces for uniform cooking.
- Don’t skip rinsing the broccoli after boiling; it helps keep the color bright and stops the cooking process.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey based on your taste preference.
variation
You can customize this recipe by adding other vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots for extra color and nutrition. If you prefer a spicier dish, consider adding some red pepper flakes to the sauce.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
A: Yes, you can use frozen chicken, but make sure to thaw it completely before cooking for even results.
Q: What can I substitute for honey to make this dish vegan?
A: You can replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar for a vegan version.
Q: How can I make the sauce thicker?
A: If you want a thicker sauce, you can cook it a little longer after adding it to the chicken, or you can mix a bit more cornstarch with water to create a slurry and add that to the sauce.
Honey Sesame Chicken Broccoli
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Regular
Description
A delightful dish that combines sweet and savory flavors with juicy chicken and crunchy broccoli in a honey sesame sauce.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch or arrowroot flour
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot flour
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with 2 to 3 inches of water and add the broccoli with 1 teaspoon salt. Bring it to a simmer, cover, and cook over low heat for 6 minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, water, toasted sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, cornstarch, and sesame seeds. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
- Place chicken pieces in a large zipper bag. In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Add this mixture to the bag, seal it, and shake to coat each piece of chicken evenly.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Turn the chicken to brown all sides, cooking until fully cooked through with no pink in the center.
- Once the chicken is golden and cooked, pour the prepared sauce over the chicken in the skillet. Stir and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Add the steamed broccoli to the skillet, and gently fold it in with the chicken and sauce. If needed, transfer to a larger bowl.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onions and serve warm.
Notes
You can serve this dish over rice or noodles for a complete meal. It also lasts up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian