On Tuesdays, the kind where you blink and somehow it’s already 6 p.m., your inbox is overflowing, and dinner is the last thing you’ve thought about. I stood in the kitchen, staring blankly into the fridge, hoping something anything would spark a dinner idea.

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Instead of defaulting to yet another stir fry, I decided to try something that felt a little more special something with a bold sauce, a hint of sweetness, and a sesame kick. A sauce that coats everything just right. That’s how this Honey Sesame Chicken & Broccoli came to life. It’s quick enough for a weeknight, but the flavors will make it feel like you picked it up from your favorite takeout spot.

What surprised me most was how much the kids devoured it. The broccoli, of all things, disappeared first! The chicken is lightly crisped on the outside and tender inside, and when it’s all tossed together with glossy sauce and bright green broccoli, it’s just… comforting and vibrant at once.

Short Description

A bold and flavorful Chinese-inspired dish featuring tender chicken, crisp-tender broccoli, and a sticky honey sesame glaze. Quick, easy, and perfect for weeknights.

Key Ingredients

For the Sauce:

1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 teaspoons cornstarch

For the Chicken & Broccoli:

2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot flour
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper to taste
1 to 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1–2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cups broccoli florets (about 2 crowns)
2 green onions, diced

Tools Needed

Large skillet
Mixing bowls
Whisk
Zip-top plastic bag
Saucepan or large pot
Colander

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Steam the Broccoli
Fill a large pot with 2–3 inches of water and add the broccoli with 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and steam for 6 minutes, or until broccoli is bright green and tender crisp. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.

Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame seeds, and cornstarch until smooth. Set aside.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Add the chicken pieces to a large plastic bag. In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle this mixture over the chicken, seal the bag, and shake until the chicken is well coated.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, place chicken in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes, until golden brown, then flip and continue cooking until all sides are golden and chicken is cooked through.

Step 5: Add the Sauce
With the heat on medium low, pour the prepared sauce over the chicken. Stir and simmer for 2–3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat.

Step 6: Combine with Broccoli
If there’s room in the skillet, fold in the cooked broccoli. Otherwise, use a separate bowl to gently mix the chicken and sauce with broccoli until evenly coated. Sprinkle diced green onions on top and serve warm.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

– Quick and easy for busy weeknights

– Full of flavor with no heavy frying

– A great way to get more veggies in

– Kid-friendly and picky eater approved

– Lower sodium and no added preservatives

– Easily adaptable to your spice and sweetness preferences

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Mistake 1: Overcooking the broccoli
Solution: Steam just until it turns bright green, then rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and preserve its texture.

Mistake 2: Crowding the skillet
Solution: Cook the chicken in batches if needed. This helps ensure each piece gets crispy instead of steaming.

Mistake 3: Sauce too thin
Solution: Let the sauce simmer gently so the cornstarch has time to activate and thicken properly.

Mistake 4: Chicken sticking to the pan
Solution: Make sure the oil is hot before adding chicken. This helps create a sear and prevents sticking.

Mistake 5: Soggy chicken
Solution: Don’t cover the skillet while cooking the chicken it will trap steam and prevent browning.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

– Serve with steamed jasmine rice or brown rice.

– For a low carb option, pair with cauliflower rice.

– Add a side of pickled cucumbers or simple miso soup.

– Drizzle with extra sesame oil for richer flavor.

– Sprinkle extra sesame seeds or chili flakes for garnish.

Storage and Reheating Tips

– Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

– Reheat in a skillet over medium low with a splash of water to loosen sauce.

– Avoid microwaving too long heat in 30 second bursts and stir in between.

– Not recommended for freezing due to texture changes.

FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?
Yes! Thighs will be even juicier just trim the fat and cook a minute longer.

2. Can I make this gluten-free?
Use tamari instead of soy sauce and swap all purpose flour for more cornstarch or a GF blend.

3. Is the sauce too sweet?
You can reduce honey to 2 tablespoons if you prefer it less sweet.

4. Can I meal prep this dish?
Absolutely keep sauce, chicken, and broccoli separate and combine when ready to eat.

5. What if I don’t have rice vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar works in a pinch, just use a little less (about 2 teaspoons).

Tips & Tricks

– Toss broccoli in a bit of sesame oil before mixing it adds flavor.

– For crispier chicken, use a bit more flour and fry in two batches.

– Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for heat.

– Garnish with crushed peanuts or cashews for a crunch factor.

– Use a microplane to grate ginger finely and evenly.

Recipe Variations

Spicy Honey Sesame Chicken: Add 1–2 teaspoons of chili garlic sauce to the sauce mix.

Vegetarian Version: Swap chicken for pan-fried tofu or tempeh and skip the coating step.

Extra Veggie Boost: Add snap peas, red bell peppers, or baby corn.

Low Sugar Option: Use 1 tablespoon of honey and add a splash of orange juice for natural sweetness.

Final Thoughts

What started as a weeknight scramble turned into one of those unexpected wins. The textures, the color, the aroma it all just worked. The balance of flavors in this Honey Sesame Chicken & Broccoli is bright and craveable.

It’s saucy without being heavy, and nourishing without feeling like you’re giving something up. I’ve made it twice since, and each time it disappears fast. It’s going in our regular rotation, and I have a feeling it might end up in yours too. Give it a go next time you need something fast, fresh, and full of flavor.

Honey Sesame Chicken And Broccoli

A bold and flavorful Chinese inspired dish featuring tender chicken, crisp tender broccoli, and a sticky honey sesame glaze. Quick, easy, and perfect for weeknights.

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Ingredients

For the Sauce:

¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons water
1 ½ tablespoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh ginger finely grated
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 teaspoons cornstarch

For the Chicken & Broccoli:

2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot flour
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Salt and pepper to taste
1 to 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1–2 inch pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 cups broccoli florets about 2 crowns
2 green onions diced

Instructions

Steam broccoli with salt until bright green and tender-crisp, about 6 minutes. Rinse with cold water to stop cooking.
Whisk soy sauce, water, sesame oil, honey, vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame seeds, and cornstarch until smooth.
Toss chicken in a bag with cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
Sauté chicken in hot olive oil over medium heat until golden and fully cooked on all sides.
Pour sauce into the skillet, stir, and simmer for 2–3 minutes until thick and glossy.
Fold in the broccoli, garnish with green onions, and serve warm.