Description
Seared Orange Chicken and Broccoli is a quick and flavorful stir-fry dish featuring tender chicken breast pieces and crisp broccoli tossed in a tangy, sweet orange sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe combines aromatic garlic, ginger, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes for a delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 2 pounds chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup broccoli florets
Sauce
- 1/4 cup orange juice
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine the orange juice, soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir thoroughly until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Heat the pan and sear the chicken. Place a large pan over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. Once hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Let them sear without stirring for a couple of minutes until the underside is golden brown, then stir occasionally until the chicken is cooked through and nicely browned on all sides.
- Add broccoli and stir-fry. Add the broccoli florets to the pan with the seared chicken. Stir-fry them together for about 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the broccoli to become tender-crisp while melding flavors with the chicken.
- Cook with the orange sauce. Pour the prepared orange sauce over the chicken and broccoli mixture. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Continue cooking on medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, which will take a few minutes.
- Serve and garnish. Once the sauce has thickened and the chicken and broccoli are coated, remove from heat. Serve the dish hot, optionally garnished with toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Adjust red pepper flakes to control the spiciness to your preference or omit for a milder dish.
- Use fresh broccoli florets for best texture; frozen broccoli can be substituted but may result in a softer texture.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles to make a complete meal.
- Make sure to mix the cornstarch thoroughly in the sauce to avoid lumps.
- If preferred, substitute chicken thighs for a juicier alternative.
