This ginger chicken is pieces of chicken breast sauteed with broccoli, ginger and garlic, all in a savory sauce. A quick and easy stir fry recipe that’s perfect for a busy night, and always gets rave reviews.
I love to recreate some of our favorite take out dishes at home including chicken fried rice, beef chow mein, and this simple, yet totally satisfying ginger chicken.
There’s nothing better than a good chicken stir fry, and this ginger chicken is a big hit with both the adults and kids in my life. What I love about this dish is that it’s healthy, and can be easily customized to suit your tastes.
How do you make ginger chicken?
This recipe starts with fresh broccoli, which cooks until tender along with some garlic and ginger. Remove the broccoli mixture from the pan, then add chicken and cook until the chicken is browned. Place the broccoli back into the pan, then mix together a sauce of oyster sauce, chicken broth, soy sauce and sesame oil. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables, then simmer until thickened. Serve your ginger chicken and enjoy!
Tips for the perfect stir fry
- I like to start a pot of rice at the same time as I start my stir fry – the rice will be done at the same time as your meat and veggies and you’ll have a complete meal in 30 minutes.
- This recipe works best with freshly minced ginger. Peel your ginger, then use a sharp knife to cut thin slices against the fibers. Chop the slices into tiny bits. You can also use a microplane to grate your ginger if you prefer.
- I typically use fresh broccoli in this recipe. You can substitute frozen broccoli in a pinch, but I feel that fresh has better flavor and texture.
- This dish stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days which makes it great for meal prep.
- Serve your stir fry over steamed rice, quinoa or noodles. If you’re watching your carbs, try using cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
- This recipe calls for oyster sauce, which can be found in the ethnic foods aisle of most grocery stores. It is a traditional ingredient in Chinese cooking and adds a rich, savory flavor to the sauce. If you can’t find oyster sauce or prefer not to use it, you can use hoisin sauce instead. Hoisin sauce is sweeter than oyster sauce, so if you’re going that route, reduce the amount of sugar by half.
HOW DO YOU COOK CHICKEN FOR STIR FRY?
The best way to cook chicken for stir fry is to season it with salt and pepper, then sear it in vegetable oil in a very hot pan until golden brown and cooked through. Be careful not to overcrowd your pan; if you add too much chicken at once, it will steam instead of brown. I typically cook my chicken in batches for the best results.
WHAT KIND OF SAUCE DO YOU PUT IN A STIR FRY?
Most stir fry sauces are made with soy sauce, garlic, chicken broth, and other seasonings such as sesame oil, ginger, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, sugar, oyster sauce or chili sauce. One important component of stir fry sauce is a thickening agent, such as cornstarch. A thicker sauce will cling better to your chicken and vegetables.
Ginger chicken flavor variations
This dish is fabulous as-is, but you can easily add other ingredients that you have on hand.
- Protein: Instead of chicken breast, try chicken thighs, sliced flank steak, pork tenderloin, tofu or shrimp.
- Vegetables: There are a variety of other vegetables that work well in this stir fry such as mushrooms, carrots, green beans, bok choy, cabbage or bell peppers.
- Flavorings: Feel free to add other items to punch up the flavor such as toasted cashews or almonds, bamboo shoots or crushed chili flakes.
I make this ginger chicken all the time – it’s a great way to get the kids to eat their veggies, and there are never any leftovers at the end of the night!
More Asian recipes to try
Ginger Chicken Video
Ginger Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 2 1/2 cups small broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth can also use water
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the broccoli and cook for approximately 3-4 minutes or until broccoli is tender.
- Add the ginger and garlic to the pan and cook for 30 seconds more.
- Remove the vegetables from the pan; place them on a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Wipe the pan clean with a paper towel and turn the heat to high. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and add them to the pan in a single layer - you may need to do this step in batches. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Add the broccoli mixture back to the pan and cook for 2 more minutes or until the vegetables are warmed through.
- In a bowl whisk together the oyster sauce, chicken broth, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce and cornstarch.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables and bring to a boil; cook for 1 more minute or until sauce has just started to thicken.
- Serve immediately, with rice if desired.
Sheila Koenig says
A bit under sauced and spiced. Will double the sauce and add red pepper flakes when I make it again BUT so much better than take out.
Kim says
Definately making this again . I had hoisin on hand so I used that in place of oyster sauce . I added carrot for additional color . May try cashews some time if I have them.
Debby says
I found the dish tasty, but a bit too salty for me. Red bell peppers were a nice addition. I used regular soy sauce, so will look forward to making it again using low sodium soy sauce My husband really enjoyed it. Thank you!
Brian G says
So. Freacking. Good. Made with 2 blood oranges. Only had about 1/2 a cup so halved all the other ingredients too for 1.5 lbs of boneless skinless thighs. Worked perfectly
Hillarama mama says
Yum! I added a bunch of fresh veggies: mushrooms, celery, carrots, and onions. Even my picky little toddler ate it! One billion stars!
Deborah Tite says
Great recipe. I will be making this again!
PATTY says
i LIKE YOUR WEBSITE AND WILL TRY SOME OF THESE RECIPIES.
Also, fresh asparagus with salt, pepper and chicken broth in a saute pan for about 7 minutes comes out very well.
Beth says
Looking forward to making the Ginger Chicken – you have a GREAT WEBSITE! It is fabulous that you allow your readers to adjust the quantities in our own Zoo’s before we print!
Michael mulvey says
Appreciate the tips you give for those of us on Keto or low carb. More more more please
Thomas J. Hornikel says
Everyone in the family loved it. I added a half teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the mix for just a bit of heat. Since my wife is on a Keto diet, I substituted xanthan gum powder for the cornstarch to keep it as close as possible to her needs. Delicious!
Stacy says
This was amazing. Easily the best new recipe I’ve tried in years – it’s going into our rotation immediately!
Lily says
Oh, this was so yummy, I added mushrooms because I adore them and it was absolutely delicious. I will definitely be using this recipe again. I think my favorite part was how quick it was.
Beth Pierce says
Yummy! Flavor filled and easy! I love this recipe!
Kristyn says
I shouldn’t be looking at these pictures, hungry! Asian meals are seriously my favorite! Can’t wait to make this!
Sandra says
My kids loved it! A new addition to our weeknight favorites!
Cathy says
Love the idea of adding cashews to this!
Catalina says
An easy and delicious recipe is exactly what I need for dinner tonight!
Vikki says
Love all the colors and flavors in this wonderful chicken dish!
Dorothy Reinhold says
This sounds like a winner! The sauce sounds so flavorful. This is going on the meny this week!
Deseree says
This dinner had my family raving about it. That sauce was fantastic and smothered everything which made my kids eat their broccoli. It was a win in everyone’s book!
Jacque Hastert says
This dinner is better than any take-out restaurant! I can’t wait to make this again and again!