Description
Chinese-inspired golden sesame chicken with broccoli delivers crispy, caramelized perfection with tender meat and vibrant vegetables. Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant-quality dish for quick and satisfying weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 12 oz (340 g) broccoli florets (or 3 cups)
- 2–3 garlic cloves, finely chopped (about 1 tbsp)
- ¾ cup onion, finely chopped
- 1 tsp finely chopped ginger, packed
- ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 2 tsps olive oil
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp coarse black pepper
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Glaze Preparation: Whisk vegetable broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, and maple syrup in a microwave-safe bowl, then heat for one minute and incorporate corn starch to create a smooth, glossy sauce.
- Chicken Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, carefully arrange chicken slices to develop a golden-brown exterior, cooking 4-5 minutes per side until caramelized and fully cooked, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Aromatic Base: In the same skillet, sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until their fragrant essences permeate the kitchen, then pour the prepared soy glaze and allow it to simmer and gradually thicken.
- Final Combination: Return golden chicken to the pan, add broccoli florets, and stir-fry for several minutes until broccoli becomes tender yet maintains its vibrant green color.
- Serving: Plate the dish over quinoa or steamed rice, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds for a delightful textural contrast and nutty flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Glaze Preparation Tip: Whisk broth, soy sauce, sesame oil, and maple syrup thoroughly to ensure a smooth, well-blended sauce before microwaving.
- Chicken Searing Technique: Allow chicken pieces ample space in the skillet to develop a perfect golden-brown crust, preventing steaming and promoting caramelization.
- Vegetable Cooking Hack: Maintain broccoli’s vibrant green color by quick stir-frying, avoiding overcooking that can lead to mushy texture and dull appearance.
- Flavor Boosting Trick: Toast sesame seeds before sprinkling to release their nutty aroma and enhance the overall depth of the dish’s flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg