Name: Ground Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry With Broccoli - An Easy Weeknight Dinner
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 pound ground chicken; 4 cups broccoli florets; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated; 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce; 1/4 cup water; 2 tablespoons honey; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 2 tablespoons cold water for the slurry; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional; 2 cups cooked rice, for serving; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish; 2 green onions, sliced, for garnish

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Ground Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry with Broccoli is one of those meals that feels fast, filling, and fresh all at once.

It has the sweet and savory flavor of teriyaki, plenty of tender broccoli, and juicy ground chicken that cooks in minutes.

If you want a dinner that works on busy nights but still tastes like you put in real effort, this is a great one to keep on hand.

What You’ll Need

1 pound ground chicken
4 cups broccoli florets
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water for the slurry
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
2 cups cooked rice, for serving
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
2 green onions, sliced, for garnish

Same recipe photoshoot, same home kitchen, same natural window light, same smartphone camera style,

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mix the sauce first. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.
Make the cornstarch slurry. In another small bowl, stir the cornstarch with the cold water until smooth. Set it aside so it is ready when you need it.
Cook the broccoli. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the broccoli and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until it turns bright green and starts to soften.
Add a splash of water if needed.If the broccoli is browning too quickly, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water and cover the pan for 1 minute. This helps steam it without making it mushy.
Cook the chicken. Push the broccoli to the side of the pan or remove it temporarily. Add the sesame oil, then the ground chicken. Break it apart with a spoon and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until it is no longer pink.
Add the garlic and ginger. Stir them into the chicken and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant. This step builds the base flavor of the stir fry.
Pour in the sauce. Add the teriyaki sauce mixture to the pan and stir everything together. Let it simmer for 1 to 2 minutes so the flavors start to blend.
Thicken the sauce.Stir the cornstarch slurry again, then pour it into the pan. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce looks glossy and slightly thickened.
Finish and serve. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Spoon the stir fry over rice and top with sesame seeds and green onions.

How to Store

Let the stir fry cool before storing it. Place it in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

To reheat, warm it in a skillet over medium heat with a small splash of water, or microwave it in short intervals.

If you plan to freeze it, store the chicken and broccoli in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.

For the best texture, keep the rice separate.

Health Benefits

This meal gives you a nice balance of protein, vegetables, and carbs. Ground chicken provides lean protein, which helps keep you full and supports muscle repair.

Broccoli adds fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K, along with a good amount of antioxidants. Using low-sodium soy sauce also helps keep the sodium lower than many takeout-style stir fries.

You can make the dish even lighter by serving it with brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.

That makes it easy to fit different eating goals without changing the basic flavor.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

Overcooking the broccoli can make it soft and dull. Keep it crisp-tender so it still has a fresh bite.
Skipping the slurry may leave the sauce thin. The cornstarch helps give it that classic sticky teriyaki texture.
Using high heat without stirring can burn the garlic and ginger.
Add them at the right time and keep things moving.
Adding too much sauce at once can make the dish watery. Let it simmer and thicken before serving.
Not tasting at the end can leave the flavor flat. A small extra splash of soy sauce or a little honey can balance it out.

Variations You Can Try

This recipe is easy to change based on what you have in the kitchen.

You can keep the same method and switch up the protein, vegetables, or sauce ingredients.

Swap the protein: Use ground turkey, ground pork, or ground beef instead of chicken.
Add more vegetables: Bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, or baby corn all work well.
Make it spicy: Add more red pepper flakes, a squirt of sriracha, or a spoonful of chili garlic sauce.
Try a different base: Serve it with rice noodles, soba noodles, or quinoa instead of white rice.
Go gluten-free: Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce in place of regular soy sauce.
Make it sweeter or richer: Add a little more honey or a teaspoon of toasted sesame oil at the end.

FAQ

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Yes, frozen broccoli works well if that is what you have. Just cook off any extra moisture first so the stir fry does not turn watery. It may be a little softer than fresh broccoli, but the flavor will still be good.

Can I make Ground Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry With Broccoli ahead of time?

Absolutely. You can cook it a day or two ahead and store it in the fridge for an easy meal later. It reheats well, which makes it great for meal prep.

What can I serve with this stir fry?

Rice is the most common choice, but noodles and cauliflower rice also work well. If you want something on the side, try a simple cucumber salad or steamed edamame.

How do I keep the sauce from getting too thick?

If the sauce thickens more than you want, add a small splash of water and stir it in.

You can do this right before serving until it reaches the texture you like.

Can I make this without cornstarch?

Yes, but the sauce will stay thinner. If you do not want to use cornstarch, you can simmer the sauce a little longer to reduce it, though it will not get quite as glossy or sticky.

Is this recipe kid-friendly?

Yes, most kids enjoy the mild sweet and savory flavor. If your family does not like spice, just leave out the red pepper flakes and serve the sauce on the lighter side.