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CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI WITH BROWN SAUCE

Chicken and Broccoli with Brown Sauce

A beloved staple in Chinese cuisine, Chicken and Broccoli with Brown Sauce combines succulent marinated chicken and crisp-tender broccoli, all enveloped in a rich, umami-packed sauce. This restaurant-style rendition ensures an authentic and satisfying experience, perfect for recreating takeout flavors at home.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 6 People

Ingredients
  

  • For the Chicken:
  • 12 ounces 340g boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons 45ml water
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 ½ teaspoons vegetable oil
  • For the Sauce:
  • cup 160ml low-sodium chicken stock, warmed
  • 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sugar or brown sugar
  • teaspoon white pepper
  • For the Stir-Fry:
  • 4 cups 300g broccoli florets
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh ginger grated (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water cornstarch slurry

Instructions
 

  • Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the sliced chicken with water, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and vegetable oil. Mix thoroughly, ensuring the liquid is fully absorbed. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
  • Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl or measuring cup, blend the warm chicken stock with soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper. Stir until fully incorporated and set aside.
  • Blanch the Broccoli: Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and blanch the broccoli for 1 minute (or 2 minutes for a softer texture). Drain and set aside.
  • Cook the Chicken: Heat a wok over high heat until smoking. Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and stir-fry the marinated chicken until it turns opaque, approximately 3 minutes. Remove from the wok and set aside; the chicken will finish cooking later.
  • Sauté the Aromatics: Without rinsing the wok, lower the heat to medium. Add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil, followed by the garlic and ginger. Stir for about 5 seconds until fragrant, then pour the Shaoxing wine along the perimeter of the wok. Immediately add the prepared sauce mixture and stir well to deglaze the wok. Let it simmer briefly.
  • Thicken the Sauce: Stir the cornstarch slurry and slowly incorporate it into the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. Allow the sauce to thicken to a smooth, glossy consistency, approximately 10–15 seconds.
  • Combine and Finish: Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the wok, along with the blanched broccoli. Toss everything together until evenly coated in the thickened sauce.
  • Adjust and Serve: Customize the sauce as needed—add extra dark soy sauce for deeper color, more cornstarch slurry for a thicker consistency, or a bit of chicken stock if the sauce is too dense. Serve immediately with steamed rice.
Keyword Chicken and Broccoli with Brown Sauce