Sizzling Sticky Chicken and Broccoli Recipe: Better Than Takeout

Whipping up a delectable better-than-takeout sticky chicken and broccoli dish promises an exciting culinary adventure.

Crispy chicken pieces coated in a glossy, sweet-savory sauce will make you dream about dinner.

Home cooking feels magical when simple ingredients create something extraordinary.

Weeknight meals just got an incredible upgrade with this foolproof recipe.

Restaurant-quality flavors emerge from your own kitchen without complicated techniques.

Fresh broccoli adds beautiful green crunch and nutritional balance to the succulent chicken.

You’ll want to bookmark this game-changing meal that beats any delivery option hands down.

What Sets Sticky Chicken and Broccoli Apart from Takeout

• Easy to adapt with different proteins like tofu or shrimp, making it versatile for various dietary preferences and tastes.
• Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe solves the dinner dilemma with minimal prep and cooking time, perfect for busy families and professionals.
• Packed with bold, restaurant-quality taste from the combination of soy sauce, honey, hoisin, and sesame oil, delivering a mouthwatering experience that beats typical takeout.
• Kid-approved dish that sneaks in nutritious broccoli while offering a sweet and savory flavor profile that appeals to both adults and children.

Everything You Need for Sticky Chicken and Broccoli

• Chicken: Tender meat as the main protein, boneless and skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best for quick cooking.

• Cornstarch: Light coating for chicken that helps create a crispy exterior and thickens sauce.

• Broccoli: Fresh green vegetable providing crunch and nutrition, crisp florets recommended.

• Soy Sauce, Hoisin Sauce: Rich umami base that adds depth and saltiness to the dish, low-sodium options available.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that creates sticky glaze, pure honey preferred.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness, helps balance sauce flavors.

• Garlic, Ginger: Fresh ingredients that provide sharp, warm underlying flavor, freshly minced recommended.

• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasoning for chicken, kosher salt preferred.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Adds subtle heat and complexity.

• Neutral Cooking Oil: For sautéing chicken and broccoli, vegetable or canola oil works well.
• Sesame Oil: Provides nutty, distinctive finish to sauce, toasted variety recommended.

• Sesame Seeds, Green Onions: Fresh toppings for added texture and visual appeal.

A Practical Guide to Sticky Chicken and Broccoli at Home

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Sprinkle chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Ensure each piece gets an even, light coating that will create a crispy exterior when cooked.

• Chicken
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Black pepper

Toss ingredients together until chicken is completely covered.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken pieces in a single layer, allowing space between each piece. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked, flipping occasionally to ensure even browning. Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Steam the Broccoli

In the same skillet, add additional oil and broccoli. Pour a small amount of water and cover. Steam broccoli until it turns bright green and becomes slightly tender. Remove lid and continue cooking to eliminate excess moisture.

Step 4: Create the Sauce

• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Hoisin sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Red pepper flakes

Whisk until ingredients are fully integrated.

Step 5: Combine and Simmer

Return chicken to the skillet with broccoli. Pour sauce over the mixture, stirring to coat everything evenly. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken, creating a glossy, sticky coating.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Transfer to serving plates over warm rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Kitchen Tips to Improve Sticky Chicken and Broccoli

• Cornstarch Coating Trick: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces to create a crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture and ensures even cooking.
• Steam to Perfection: Cover broccoli briefly while cooking to maintain vibrant green color and prevent overcooking, keeping nutrients and texture intact.
• Sauce Layering Magic: Whisk sauce ingredients thoroughly to blend flavors, creating a harmonious balance between sweet, tangy, and spicy elements.
• Simmer for Stickiness: Allow sauce to reduce and thicken by simmering, which concentrates flavors and creates that signature glossy, restaurant-style coating.
• Garnish for Elevation: Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions to add texture, freshness, and a professional touch to the final dish.

Best Practices to Store and Warm Sticky Chicken and Broccoli

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 35 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm chicken and broccoli over medium heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying and restore sauce's original consistency.
• Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly and maintain moisture.
• Warm only the portion you plan to eat to preserve flavor and texture, discarding any repeatedly reheated portions.

Top Picks to Serve with Sticky Chicken and Broccoli

• A crisp, slightly sweet Riesling cuts through the sticky sauce's richness, balancing the chicken's savory flavors with its bright acidity.
• Spicy ginger beer complements the dish's Asian-inspired profile, enhancing the garlic and ginger notes while providing a cool, effervescent contrast.
• Smooth, grassy green tea cleanses the palate between bites, neutralizing the sticky sauce's intensity and offering a light, refreshing counterpoint to the hearty chicken and broccoli.
• A clean, crisp lager like Sapporo or Tsingtao provides a mild backdrop that doesn't overwhelm the dish's complex flavors, allowing the sauce and chicken to shine.

Helpful FAQs for Sticky Chicken and Broccoli Fans

• Why coat the chicken with cornstarch?

Cornstarch creates a crispy exterior and helps the chicken brown beautifully while keeping the inside juicy and tender.

• Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

Fresh broccoli works best for this recipe, as frozen broccoli releases too much water and can make the dish soggy and less crisp.

• Is this dish spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a mild heat, but you can adjust the amount or omit them completely for a milder version that’s kid-friendly.

• What if I don't have hoisin sauce?

You can substitute hoisin with a mix of soy sauce, ketchup, and a touch of honey to create a similar sweet and tangy flavor profile.

Explore Variations of Sticky Chicken and Broccoli

• Gluten-Free Option: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos. Use cornstarch from gluten-free sources and verify all sauce ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Version: Swap chicken with extra-firm tofu or tempeh. Press tofu to remove moisture before coating with cornstarch and cooking.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice or serve over zucchini noodles. Reduce honey amount or use sugar-free honey substitute to lower carbohydrate content.
• Spicy Lovers' Adaptation: Increase red pepper flakes or add sriracha sauce for extra heat. Include diced jalapeños during cooking for additional spicy kick.

Better-Than-Takeout Sticky Chicken and Broccoli Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Craving comfort food? Better-than-takeout sticky chicken and broccoli delivers restaurant-quality flavors with home-cooked warmth. Savory glazed chicken nestled with crisp broccoli promises a satisfying meal that brings global taste right to your plate.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables:

• 3 cups (450 grams) broccoli florets

Sauce and Seasoning:

• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
• ⅓ cup (113 grams) honey
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons (16 grams) cornstarch
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon (2 grams) grated fresh ginger (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)
• ¼ teaspoon (0.5 grams) red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Serving Suggestions:

• Cooked white rice
• Sesame seeds (optional)
• Green onions (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare chicken by coating pieces thoroughly with seasoned cornstarch mixture, ensuring each morsel is evenly and completely covered.
2. Sear chicken in a hot skillet, creating a golden-brown exterior while maintaining juicy interior. Cook until protein is completely done, moving pieces periodically for uniform browning.
3. Transfer crispy chicken to a separate plate, reserving skillet for subsequent cooking stages.
4. Introduce broccoli florets to the same skillet, adding minimal water to create steaming environment. Cover and cook until vegetables reach vibrant green color and tender-crisp texture.
5. Craft a dynamic sauce by whisking together aromatic ingredients like soy sauce, honey, hoisin, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and gentle red pepper flakes.
6. Reunite chicken and broccoli in the skillet, cascading prepared sauce over the ingredients and gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coating.
7. Allow mixture to simmer, transforming sauce into a luxurious, glossy glaze that clings beautifully to proteins and vegetables.
8. Present this enticing dish atop fluffy rice, optionally garnishing with toasted sesame seeds and delicately sliced green onions for enhanced visual and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Cornstarch Coating Trick: Toss chicken in cornstarch for an ultra-crispy exterior that locks in moisture and creates a delightful golden-brown crust.
• High Heat Technique: Cook chicken in a single layer to ensure proper browning and prevent steaming, which helps develop rich caramelized flavors.
• Sauce Balancing Act: Adjust honey and soy sauce proportions to control sweetness and saltiness, creating a perfectly balanced sticky glaze.
• Dietary Modifications: Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to make a vegetarian version, and use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 157
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 28 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg