Easy Chicken with Broccoli in Savory Sauce Recipe / Family Favorite

Chicken with broccoli reimagines ordinary weeknight dinners into something spectacular.

Culinary magic happens when tender protein meets vibrant green vegetables in a harmonious blend.

Simple ingredients create complex flavor profiles that dance across your palate.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate this classic combination’s nutritional balance and satisfying textures.

Rich, velvety sauces elevate the dish from mundane to memorable, adding depth and complexity to each bite.

Incredibly versatile and quick to prepare, this meal satisfies hunger while delivering robust nutritional benefits.

Comfort meets sophistication in a plate that promises deliciousness and nourishment.

Why Chicken with Broccoli in Savory Sauce Is a Weeknight Hero

• Burst with Asian-Inspired Flavor Explosion: This recipe delivers a mouthwatering blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy notes that dance across your taste buds with every bite.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Champion: Prepare a restaurant-quality meal in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving delicious home-cooked dinners without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Texture Wonderland: Experience the perfect contrast between crispy golden chicken, tender-crisp broccoli, and a glossy, clingy sauce that coats each ingredient beautifully.
• Nutritious Comfort Food Makeover: Enjoy a balanced meal packed with protein from chicken, fiber-rich broccoli, and a sauce that's more exciting than typical bland diet dishes, proving healthy eating can be incredibly satisfying.

Must-Have Ingredients for Chicken with Broccoli in Savory Sauce

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides the main substance of the dish, best when using boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking.

• Broccoli: Fresh green vegetable that adds nutrition and crunch, choose bright green florets with tight, firm clusters.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that enhances the overall flavor profile, fresh minced garlic provides the best taste.

• Apple Juice, Chicken Broth: Liquid base that creates a light, savory sauce with balanced sweetness.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami flavor, low-sodium version can be used for less salt.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Provides tangy brightness and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Ketchup: Adds sweetness and slight tomato complexity to the sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Brings subtle caramel-like sweetness and helps sauce caramelize.
• Ginger: Adds warm, spicy undertone and aids in digestion.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces mild heat and subtle spiciness.

• Cornstarch: Primary thickener for sauce, helps create glossy, smooth texture.
• Water: Used to create cornstarch slurry for sauce consistency.

• Sesame Seeds: Adds nutty flavor and visual appeal, toasted seeds provide extra aroma.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance chicken's natural flavor.
• Cooking Oil: Helps prevent sticking and enables even cooking.

Steps to Make Chicken with Broccoli in Savory Sauce Easily

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

• Sprinkle salt and black pepper over chicken
• Coat chicken with cornstarch

Set chicken aside to marinate briefly

Step 2: Create Flavorful Sauce

• Apple juice
• Chicken broth
• Soy sauce
• Apple cider vinegar
• Ketchup
• Brown sugar
• Ginger
• Minced garlic
• Red pepper flakes

Whisk ingredients until well blended

Step 3: Cook Broccoli

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat

Sauté broccoli until tender, about 5 minutes

Remove broccoli and set aside

Step 4: Sear Chicken

Increase skillet heat to medium-high

Add remaining oil

Cook chicken pieces until golden brown, approximately 3 minutes per side

Remove chicken from pan

Step 5: Create Cornstarch Slurry

Mix cornstarch with cold water

Stir until smooth

Step 6: Simmer Sauce and Chicken

Pour prepared sauce into skillet

Bring to a boil

Reduce heat

Return chicken to pan

Simmer until sauce thickens, 10-12 minutes

Step 7: Final Combination

Add broccoli back to skillet

Pour cornstarch slurry into sauce

Cook until sauce reaches desired consistency

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Sprinkle sesame seeds on top

Transfer to serving plate

Enjoy hot

Best Advice for Making Chicken with Broccoli in Savory Sauce

• Marinate Masterfully: Let chicken sit with cornstarch for 10-15 minutes to help create a crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Sauce Harmony: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of sweet, tangy, and spicy notes for a balanced taste profile.
• Broccoli Brilliance: Don't overcook broccoli – keep it bright green and slightly crisp to maintain nutrients and textural contrast.
• Slurry Secret: Mix cornstarch and water just before adding to prevent clumping, creating a smooth sauce that coats chicken and broccoli perfectly.
• Temperature Technique: Use medium-high heat when searing chicken to develop a beautiful golden crust without burning the meat's surface.

Smart Storage and Reheating for Chicken with Broccoli in Savory Sauce

• Refrigerate in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Store chicken and broccoli together for maximum flavor preservation. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days maximum.
• Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to maintain sauce consistency and prevent chicken from drying out. Add a splash of chicken broth to help restore moisture and prevent sticking. Stir occasionally until heated completely through, about 5-7 minutes.
• Avoid microwave reheating if possible, as it can make chicken tough and sauce separate. If using a microwave, use 50% power and heat in short 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.

What Pairs Best with Chicken with Broccoli in Savory Sauce

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc complements the tangy sauce and cuts through the richness of the chicken, balancing the dish's flavors perfectly.
• Serve with Jasmine Rice: Fluffy jasmine rice soaks up the savory sauce beautifully, providing a delicate base that enhances the chicken and broccoli's texture and taste.
• Add Crunchy Asian Slaw: A fresh, crisp Asian-style coleslaw with rice vinegar dressing adds a bright, refreshing contrast to the warm, saucy chicken, creating a well-rounded meal experience.
• Finish with Green Tea: A light, slightly bitter green tea cleanses the palate and helps digest the meal, while its subtle flavors harmonize with the dish's ginger and garlic notes.

Fun and Tasty Twists on Chicken with Broccoli in Savory Sauce

• Asian Herb Fusion: Replace red pepper flakes with chopped Thai basil and add lemongrass for a zesty, aromatic profile that elevates the chicken's flavor.
• Spicy Honey Glaze: Swap apple juice with honey and incorporate sriracha sauce for a sweet-heat combination that caramelizes beautifully on the chicken.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Substitute soy sauce with white wine, add oregano and thyme, and include kalamata olives for a Mediterranean-inspired version with robust herbal notes.
• Coconut Curry Transformation: Blend coconut milk into the sauce, sprinkle curry powder, and garnish with fresh cilantro for a creamy, exotic spin on the original recipe.

Chicken With Broccoli In Savory Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Chicken with Broccoli in Savory Sauce delivers a perfect harmony of lean protein and crisp vegetables bathed in a rich, umami-packed sauce. Chinese-inspired flavors dance across your palate, promising a quick, satisfying meal that brings restaurant quality directly to your kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup broccoli florets

Sauce Ingredients:

• ½ cup apple juice
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ⅔ cup soy sauce
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt

Cooking and Garnish Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Sesame seeds, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare chicken by seasoning with salt and black pepper, then thoroughly coat with of cornstarch, ensuring even coverage.
2. Create a complex flavor base by whisking together apple juice, chicken broth, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, freshly grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes in a mixing bowl until well combined.
3. Warm of cooking oil in a large skillet over medium heat, then sauté broccoli florets until they reach a vibrant green and tender consistency, approximately 4-5 minutes. Transfer cooked broccoli to a separate plate.
4. Elevate the skillet’s temperature to medium-high and add remaining oil, carefully placing seasoned chicken pieces to achieve a golden-brown exterior, cooking approximately 3 minutes per side.
5. Craft a smooth thickening agent by whisking of cornstarch with of cold water until no lumps remain.
6. Pour prepared sauce into the skillet, allowing it to reach a gentle boil, then reduce heat and reintroduce chicken, simmering until sauce transforms into a glossy, slightly thickened consistency.
7. Incorporate reserved broccoli and cornstarch slurry into the skillet, stirring gently to ensure even heating and sauce thickening.
8. Finish the dish by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds over the top and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• Marinate chicken with cornstarch for extra crispy and tender texture that locks in juicy flavors.
• Create a balanced savory-sweet sauce using apple juice, chicken broth, and soy sauce that complements the chicken perfectly.
• Cook broccoli separately first to maintain its bright green color and crisp texture before combining with chicken.
• Use cornstarch slurry as a secret weapon to achieve the ideal sauce consistency without lumps.
• Sesame seeds add a delightful nutty crunch and visual appeal as a final garnish.
• High heat and quick cooking ensure chicken remains golden and moist without becoming dry or tough.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 390 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 1280 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg