This easy chicken and broccoli stir fry comes together in under 30 minutes! Juicy chicken and crisp-tender broccoli are tossed in the best homemade sauce for a flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy nights.
“I’ll be honest—some nights, the last thing I want to do is cook, let alone tackle a pile of dishes. That’s why I love this chicken and broccoli stir fry. It’s a one-pan wonder with crisp-tender broccoli, juicy chicken, and the most delicious homemade sauce that rivals any takeout. I’ve made this more times than I can count, and it never disappoints!
And if you’re on a stir fry kick like me, you’ve got to try my shrimp stir fry or chicken stir fry next.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes with just one pan, this stir fry is perfect for busy weeknights or when you don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
- Better Than Takeout – This stir fry sauce is savory, slightly sweet, and packed with garlic and ginger. It’s so much better (and healthier) than any takeout version you’ll find, giving you all the flavor without the extra calories, preservatives, or the high cost of takeout!
- Loaded with Veggies – Between the broccoli and onion, this dish is a great way to sneak in more veggies while still being full of flavor.
- Versatile – Serve it over rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles, and swap in your favorite veggies to make it your own.
If you’re looking for more easy 30-minute meals for quick weeknight dinners, you’ll also love my egg roll in a bowl and honey glazed salmon.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of pantry staples and fresh ingredients for this flavorful chicken and broccoli stir fry. You might already have many of these items in your kitchen right now!
- chicken breast – I used boneless, skinless chicken breast for a lean source of protein. Slice it thin so it cooks quickly and evenly.
- broccoli – crisp-tender broccoli florets are the perfect veggie for soaking up all that delicious sauce.
- yellow onion – adds sweetness and depth to the stir fry. I used half of a large onion, but feel free to adjust based on your preference.
- olive or avocado oil – both are great for high-heat cooking. I prefer avocado oil for its neutral flavor and high smoke point.
- stir fry sauce – a savory-sweet mix of chicken broth, low-sodium soy sauce or tamari (for a gluten-free option), oyster sauce, honey, sesame oil, cornstarch or arrowroot powder, fresh garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (optional). This combo adds incredible flavor and helps the sauce thicken perfectly in the pan.
Recipe Substitutions
Need to switch things up? Here are some simple swaps that work great in this recipe:
- Swap the veggies: Feel free to sub in whatever veggies you have on hand! Bell peppers, snap peas, green beans, zucchini, or even frozen stir-fry veggies would all be great.
- Make it gluten-free: Use tamari or coconut aminos to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Oyster sauce: This adds amazing depth, but if you don’t have it on hand, hoisin sauce or even a mix of soy sauce and a splash of maple syrup can work in a pinch. Just know it will change the flavor slightly.
- Honey: Coconut sugar or maple syrup are both great substitutes for honey.
How to Make Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
Making this chicken broccoli stir fry is quick and easy! In just a few simple steps, you’ll have a flavorful, homemade dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Here’s how to make it:
Step 1: Make sauce by whisking together all the ingredients in a small bowl until combined. Set aside.
Step 2: Heat ½ Tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: In the same pan, add the remaining oil. Add the broccoli and onion and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
Step 4: Add chicken back into the pan. Pour sauce into the pan. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and broccoli. Remove from heat and serve.
Brittany’s Tips for the Best Stir Fry
- Prep before cooking: Stir fry cooks quickly, so it’s important to have everything prepped and ready to go before you start cooking. This will make the process smoother and ensure nothing overcooks.
- Customize the sauce: Adjust the sweetness or spice level of the sauce to your liking. Add more honey for sweetness or extra red pepper flakes for a spicier kick!
- Use a hot pan: To get that perfect sear on the chicken and veggies, make sure your pan is nice and hot before adding the ingredients. This helps with caramelization and locks in the flavors.
- Don’t overcook the broccoli: Keep an eye on your veggies! You want the broccoli to be tender but still have a bit of crunch. Overcooking can make it mushy and dull the vibrant green color.
How to Serve Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
This stir fry is super versatile and pairs well with just about anything. Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve it:
- Over rice: Serve your chicken stir fry over white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
- With noodles: Pair it with rice noodles, soba noodles, or any kind of pasta.
- With a simple side salad: For a lighter plate, pair this stir fry with a fresh salad like my arugula salad or easy kale salad. It’s a great way to sneak in more greens!
- Meal prep style: Portion the stir fry into containers with your grain or veggie base of choice and keep in the fridge for quick and easy lunches or dinners all week.
How to Store & Reheat
Let leftovers cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm in a skillet over medium heat until everything is heated through. You can also use the microwave if you’re in a pinch! I recommend adding a splash of water or broth to loosen up the sauce if needed.
I haven’t tried freezing this recipe, but if you do, just know the texture of the veggies (especially the broccoli) might change a bit once thawed and reheated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This recipe is great for meal prep. Just store it in individual containers with cooked rice or noodles for easy grab-and-go lunches or dinners.
Fresh broccoli works best for stir fries because it stays crisp, but if you’re in a pinch, frozen broccoli will work too! Just thaw and pat it dry before adding it to the skillet so you don’t end up with a watery stir fry.
It can be! Just use tamari instead of soy sauce and make sure your oyster sauce and cornstarch are certified gluten-free.
More Popular Chicken Recipes
Be sure to check out all of my chicken recipes as well as the full collection of dinner recipes.
This post was originally published on December 27, 2018 and republished on April 4, 2025.
