Amazing 25-Min Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry

Ugh, that 5 PM panic when you realize you have zero inspiration for dinner but you promised yourself you wouldn’t order takeout again? I know that feeling all too well! That’s exactly why I spent years tweaking simple Asian-inspired dinners until I landed on this magnificent **Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry**. Seriously, this recipe is my secret weapon for busy nights. We’re talking about huge flavor coming together faster than most delivery apps can even process the order. Over time, I’ve learned the real trick to these quick meals isn’t complexity—it’s balancing that perfect sweet and savory sauce.

If you’re looking for a recipe where the cleanup is fast and the taste is enormous, you’ve found your winner. I trust this recipe completely; it’s inspired by years of making versions of that classic Chinese Chicken and Broccoli, but streamlined for maximum speed and flavor right here in my own kitchen.

Why This Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry Is a Weeknight Winner

This dish truly saves the day when my energy is running on empty. I promise you won’t find a quicker meal that tastes this good. Trust me, it hits all the right notes without adding stress to your evening routine.

• It’s lightning fast! The total time commitment for this flavorful stir fry is just around 25 minutes. You can’t beat that.
• Cleanup is a breeze, since we’re mostly just using one large skillet or wok. Hello, less time scrubbing!
• The flavor profile is spot on—that perfect mix of salty umami, a little sweetness, and tons of savory depth.
• It’s packed with protein from the chicken, keeping you full and satisfied long after dinner is done. If you love beef versions, you should check out my Sesame Beef and Broccoli Magic, too!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry

Listen, in a dish this simple—only 25 minutes on the clock—the quality of your ingredients truly sings! Don’t skimp here; use fresh stuff where it counts. You’ll need about one pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into nice bite-sized pieces. If you prefer dark meat, feel free to use chicken thighs; they stay juicy even under high heat. Remember, you can always check out my guide on Easy Shredded Chicken if you want to switch up how you prep the meat!

The real star, besides the sauce, is the broccoli. Grab about four cups of florets. We want them crisp, not mushy! For the flavor bombs in that sauce, you absolutely must use fresh ginger that you grate yourself—it makes a huge difference—and two cloves of garlic, minced super fine. Nothing replaces fresh, trust me.

The rest of the list comes together quickly:

• Two tablespoons of vegetable oil for screaming hot searing.
• The sauce bases: half a cup of teriyaki sauce, two tablespoons of soy sauce, and one tablespoon of brown sugar for that beautiful molasses depth.
• And finally, the magic thickener: one teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with one tablespoon of cold water to create your slurry!

Equipment Needed for Your Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry

You don’t need a cabinet full of fancy gadgets to make this amazing stir fry. Since we are trying to keep this fast and low-mess, we only rely on the true workhorses of my kitchen. If you’re missing one of these, you might need to improvise, but honestly, these are non-negotiable for the best results!

First up, you need something that can handle high heat. A true, heavy-bottomed wok is ideal because it spreads the heat perfectly for stir-frying. If you don’t have a wok, don’t sweat it! A very large, heavy-sided skillet will work just fine, but you must let it get piping hot before anything goes in.

Next, for mixing that incredible teriyaki sauce? Grab a small bowl—I mean, any small dish that can hold liquids will do—just something to let you whisk everything together before you start cooking. This keeps things neat!

Finally, always, always have a good, sharp cutting board and knife handy. We need those chicken pieces uniform, and the ginger needs to be grated finely, so having solid prep tools makes your 10-minute prep time feel authentic!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry

Now for the fun part! This whole process happens so fast once you start, so make sure you’ve done your chopping and mixing beforehand. We’re going to build layers of flavor, starting with the sauce. Remember, technique is everything in a stir fry, and keeping the heat high is how we get that awesome seared flavor instead of just steamed vegetables.

Preparing the Savory Teriyaki Sauce Mixture

Before the oil even hits the pan, you need your sauce ready to go because things move quickly after that! Grab that small bowl we talked about. Whisk together your teriyaki sauce, the soy sauce, that tablespoon of brown sugar, the fresh grated ginger, and the minced garlic. Just get it all combined until the sugar starts to dissolve.

My little quality control tip here is to give it a gentle taste. If you like it sweeter, add just a tiny pinch more brown sugar. If you want more salty depth, a dash more soy sauce works wonders. Once it’s perfect for your palate, set it right next to the stove. We are ready to cook!

Cooking the Chicken and Broccoli Separately

Heat up your wok or large skillet over medium-high heat—and I mean *hot*. Add your two tablespoons of vegetable oil. When it shimmers, carefully add the chicken pieces. You want them to brown nicely and cook all the way through, which usually takes about five to seven minutes. Do not overcrowd the pan; if you’re making a huge batch, cook the chicken in two rounds! Once it’s done, scoop it out onto a clean plate and set it aside.

Now, toss the broccoli florets right into that same hot pan. Stir fry them for three or four minutes. You want them bright green and just starting to get tender-crisp. If the pan looks terrifyingly dry at this stage—and you smell burning instead of searing—drizzle in two tablespoons of plain water just to create a little steam bath for the broccoli.

Thickening the Sauce and Finishing the Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry

It’s time to bring everything back together! Return that cooked chicken to the skillet with the waiting broccoli. Pour that gorgeous teriyaki sauce mixture right over everything. Let it bubble up for just a moment so the flavors mingle—you’ll see it start to simmer.

Here is the magic trick for a glossy sauce: take your cornstarch slurry (that cornstarch mixed with cold water) and give it one last quick stir before you use it, because it settles fast. Pour that slurry into the simmering sauce while stirring constantly. It thickens up almost instantly, usually within one minute! You’ll know it’s done when the sauce coats the back of a spoon nicely. Serve this masterpiece immediately over fluffy rice. It’s honestly worth checking out sauce recipes if you ever want to try making your own teriyaki from scratch, but this uses what you have on hand!

Tips for Success with Your Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry

I’ve made this teriyaki chicken and broccoli stir fry so many times that I’ve collected a few little tricks to make sure it comes out restaurant-quality every single time, even on a Tuesday night. You see, stirring is an art, and a few small tweaks can elevate it from good to absolutely fantastic.

First off, let’s talk about the star protein again. While I listed chicken breast because it’s lean, if you happen to have chicken thighs handy, use them! Thigh meat is more forgiving over high heat and retains moisture like a dream. I find they pair especially well with spicy additions. If you are brave enough to turn up the heat, try adding a small pinch of red pepper flakes right when you sauté the garlic and ginger in the sauce prep. It adds a lovely warmth that cuts through the sweetness of the teriyaki. You can see how I incorporate spice into other things, like these Spicy Jamaican Lentil Quinoa Vegan Patties, and it works wonders here too!

My biggest piece of advice for any stir fry, and this is crucial, is timing your vegetables. You want that broccoli bright green and still having a little snap when you bite into it. That means don’t throw it in until the chicken is completely cooked and out of the pan. Cook it fast, count to three or four minutes max, and get it out of the heat immediately!

Finally, make sure your cornstarch slurry is actually cold water when you mix it. If you use warm water, the cornstarch can clump up instantly before it even hits the hot pan. Cold water dissolves it evenly, which gives you that perfectly smooth, glossy sauce we are aiming for. Happy cooking!

Serving Suggestions for Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry

Okay, so the Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry is basically done, it smells heavenly, and now it’s time for the grand presentation! While plain white rice is always a reliable, quick companion—and it soaks up that extra sauce beautifully—we don’t have to stop there, do we? I like to mix things up to keep weeknight dinners interesting!

If you’re trying to boost your fiber intake, serving this over brown rice is a fantastic, nutty choice. It adds a little bit of chewiness that I really enjoy against the smooth sauce. For something totally different, try serving it over some cooked ramen noodles or even nice, thick udon noodles. That turns it into a proper noodle bowl, and it’s still so fast!

But honestly, the finishing touches are what make serving feel special. Garnishes make all the difference, even when you cooked for just 25 minutes! My absolute favorite thing to sprinkle on top is toasted sesame seeds. They add a little crunch and that lovely, warm, nutty perfume the second they hit the hot food.

And never skip the green onions, folks! I mean it. Thinly slice a few of those bright green tops and toss them over the finished dish. The faint oniony bite contrasts perfectly with the sweet teriyaki glaze. It’s the easiest way to fool guests (or yourself!) into thinking you spent way more time in the kitchen than you actually did.

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Leftover Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry

I always make a huge batch of this stir fry because I’m already in the zone, and honestly, leftovers are sometimes even better the next day! The flavors meld together overnight, making that sauce even richer. Storing it correctly is key, though, so it doesn’t get slimy or dry out in the fridge.

When you have leftovers, your main goal is to keep them out of the temperature danger zone quickly. Make sure the stir fry has cooled down a little bit before you put it away. Then, pop it into an airtight container. I prefer glass containers because they heat more evenly later, but any good quality airtight container works beautifully for keeping out fridge smells. You can count on this being safely delicious in the refrigerator for about three good days.

Now, how to reheat it? This is where everyone makes a mistake! Throwing your leftover teriyaki chicken and broccoli in the microwave is fast, sure, but it steams the chicken and totally ruins the texture of the broccoli; it gets soggy and sad. Don’t do that to this beautiful meal!

The absolute best way to revive this stir fry is back on the stovetop. You don’t need much, just a drizzle of water or maybe half a teaspoon of extra soy sauce in a small skillet over medium heat. Add your portion of leftovers, cover it for just a minute to steam things through slightly, then uncover and cook for another minute until it’s heated all the way to the center. This method keeps the broccoli crisp-tender and brings back that nice, slightly sticky glaze on the chicken. It tastes almost homemade all over again!

Frequently Asked Questions About Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry

Whenever I post this quick dinner, I usually get the same handful of questions, and I totally get it—everyone wants to customize! I’ve tried to answer all the common concerns here so you can cook this teriyaki chicken and broccoli with total confidence.

Can I make this Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you absolutely can, but I recommend prepping the components separately if you plan on eating it later in the week! The texture of stir-fried broccoli is best when it’s fresh off the heat. What I do is cook the chicken and set it aside, then I blanch the broccoli quickly so it’s ready to go. Keep the sauce mixture separate, too.

When you are ready to eat, just heat the skillet, toss the pre-cooked items in, and then add the sauce. If you cook the whole thing and then reheat it later, the broccoli tends to lose its beautiful, vibrant crispness. The sauce itself is totally fine for making ahead, though!

What other vegetables work well in this Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry?

This recipe is just a template for using up whatever veggies you have in the crisper drawer, honestly! Since the cook time is so fast, you want things that cook quickly or are similar in density to broccoli. Things like sliced carrots, snap peas, or thinly sliced bell peppers are fantastic additions.

If you happen to have mushrooms, toss those in with the chicken. If you decide to add super hard veggies like green beans, you might want to steam or blanch them for a minute or two before they hit the wok. Try mixing in whatever you have—it will still taste amazing because that sauce base is just so reliable! If you’re looking for a homemade sauce foundation, check out my guide on making homemade sauces for inspiration.

Nutritional Estimates for This Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry

I always get asked about the nutrition when I share a weeknight recipe like this, and folks, I want to be super transparent! When you’re cooking at home, you have so much more control over what goes into your body, which is one of the biggest perks of ditching takeout.

The numbers I’m sharing below are based on my standard measurements for four servings, and this is for the chicken and broccoli *without* the white rice, which, let’s face it, adds a whole other set of variables!

These estimates are what I pulled together based on the ingredients in the recipe, but remember, every brand of teriyaki sauce is different, so use these as a helpful general guide:

• Calories: Approximately 350 per serving. Pretty reasonable for such a hearty meal!
• Protein: Wow, packed with goodness here at about 35 grams. That’s going to keep hunger pangs away for hours.
• Fat: We are looking at around 12 grams total, which I keep pretty low by using just a little bit of vegetable oil to begin with.
• Carbohydrates: About 25 grams, mostly coming from the veggies and the small amount of brown sugar in the glaze.

It’s a great, low-fat option, especially if you are watching your saturated fat intake (only about 2 grams here!). And while the sodium count is a bit higher—that’s the soy sauce talking—it’s still a fantastic, balanced dinner choice when you compare it to frozen or restaurant versions we used to rely on!

Share Your Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry Experience

Seriously, now that you have made this incredibly fast and flavorful Teriyaki Chicken And Broccoli Stir Fry, I just have to know what you thought! Cooking is all about sharing, tweaking, and enjoying the results, right? Don’t just walk away after you devour that last bite of chicken and broccoli!

I really, really want to hear about your experience. Did you bump up the ginger? Did you swap the chicken for tofu? Maybe you added some of those snap peas we talked about? Taking a quick moment to leave a comment below helps other busy home cooks decide if this is the right recipe for their hectic schedule. Please tell me how it went. Did your family love it as much as mine does?

And if you snapped any pictures because, let’s be honest, this colorful dish photographs beautifully—you absolutely must share them! Tag me on whatever social media platform you prefer. Seeing your creation makes my day and proves that eating amazing food on a weeknight doesn’t require hours of effort.

If this recipe saved your dinner plans, please give it a rating at the top of the page. Five stars help other people find these super-fast dinner heroes. Thank you so much for cooking with me today. I can’t wait to read what you create next!

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