Chicken and Broccoli
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Recipe courtesy of Andy Liang for Food Network Kitchen

Chicken and Broccoli with White Sauce

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  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 50 min
  • Active: 35 min
  • Yield: 4 servings
The chicken and broccoli you find at your favorite Chinese restaurant is usually covered in an intensely flavored brown sauce often based on oyster and soy sauces. This recipe showcases a milder but equally delicious Chinese white sauce that might be familiar to you from dishes like shrimp in lobster sauce. It’s clear and savory, thickened with a cornstarch slurry. This recipe also highlights the traditional Chinese technique of “velveting,” a marinating process that coats proteins to tenderize, lock in the juices and promote browning. We tested a variety of velveting processes that use egg, egg white and even just water. Our conclusion? Chicken covered in salt and water (similar to brining) then coated with cornstarch produced the best texture. We also eliminated the common step of boiling or deep-frying the chicken before stir-frying; a quick sear in the wok produced tender results. If velveting seems daunting, don’t let it be; it’s essentially a marinating process and takes just a few minutes of work and 30 minutes of hands-off time. And it’s worth it: Your velveted chicken will be juicy and tender with tons of savory flavor.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, then cut them again at a slight angle into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper and 3 tablespoons cold water. Use your hands (wear gloves if you like) to massage the seasonings into the chicken until most is absorbed, about 1 minute. Add 3 tablespoons cornstarch and mix until the cornstarch is moistened. Add 3 tablespoons neutral oil and massage until combined. Set the chicken aside to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a wok over high heat and add 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon neutral oil. Add the broccoli and boil until it turns bright green, about 2 minutes. Drain the broccoli and rinse under cold water until the broccoli is cool enough to handle. Drain and set aside.
  3. Stir the remaining 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 3 tablespoons cold water together in a small bowl until combined. Set aside.
  4. Heat a wok over high heat until you see the first few wisps of smoke, about 3 minutes. Remove the wok from the heat and add the remaining 3 tablespoons vegetable oil and swirl to coat the wok. Return to high heat and add the marinated chicken. Spread it out evenly so every chicken piece has contact with the wok. Let sit until it starts to brown, about 2 minutes. Toss the chicken with a wok turner or spatula and cook until just slightly pink, about 2 minutes.
  5. Add the grated garlic and ginger to the wok and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the broccoli and stir-fry 30 seconds. Add the chicken broth, bouillon powder and sugar and bring to a boil. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
  6. Slowly drizzle the cornstarch slurry into the wok and continue to cook until the sauce thickens and coats the broccoli. Pour the mixture over hot steamed rice and serve immediately.