Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

I love going out for Chinese or Thai food but… I discovered that much of it is loaded with fat and sugar. Bummer! This doesn’t mean that Nick and I have stopped visiting our favorite restaurants but, we only visit them occasionally. When I have a craving for something Asian inspired, I whip up a quick stir fry! This recipe is not completely sugar free but it is free of processed and white sugar. I use a little honey and some orange juice as sweeteners. I like the result. Hope you do to!

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

Ingredients:

Marinade

• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon five spice powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch

• 1 1/2 – 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into large cubes
• 1 lb broccoli crowns, cut into flowerettes
• 8 oz package sliced brown mushrooms
• 1 red pepper, seeded and cut into squares
• 1 bunch green onions, trimmed and cut into 1-inch diagonal pieces
• vegetable oil and sesame oil for cooking

Sauce

• 2/3 cup orange juice
• 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (according to your taste)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

Stir together all marinade ingredients and add chicken. Let sit for 30 minutes. Strain chicken and discard marinade.

Place a wok or deep skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. When pan is hot, add chicken in batches (do not overcrowd). Cook for one minute and then turn over and cook for an additional minute. Remove from wok. Repeat until all chicken is cooked.

Wipe out the wok. Add 1 tablespoon oil and 1 teaspoon sesame oil. Add mushrooms, pepper and green onions and stir fry for two minutes. Remove and add broccoli and 1/3 cup water. Cover and steam for three minutes stirring once every 60 seconds. Remove.

Add sauce to the pan. Boil until thick (about 60 seconds). Return chicken and vegetables to the pan and stir to coat.

Serve alone or over brown rice.

Note: If you want to make Beef with Broccoli, simply substitute thinly sliced strips of steak for the chicken. Or, use prawns or scallops! I use this basic recipe and change up the protein and the veggies depending on my mood and on what’s in the fridge

Sweetest Blessings,
LeAnn