Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry

A weeknight-friendly stir-fry boasting tree-hugger bona fides, this dish checks all the right boxes: healthy, speedy, and packed with flavor. We marinate our chicken in coconut aminos (a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce) before tossing it with crisp-tender broccoli, carrots, celery, and onion. A thickened sauce made with coconut aminos and arrowroot powder adds a craveable finish to this lightning-fast meal.

In the annals of weeknight cooking, there are few dishes as beloved as the stir-fry. It's a culinary chameleon that can be adapted to fit any dietary restriction or flavor profile, and it's always lightning-fast to prepare. This particular stir-fry was born out of a desire for a healthy, flavorful meal that could be on the table in under 30 minutes. We started with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips. These were marinated in coconut aminos, a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce, which added a subtle sweetness and umami depth. Next, we added a colorful array of vegetables: broccoli florets, sliced carrots, celery, and onion. These were cooked until crisp-tender, maintaining their vibrant colors and textures. The final touch was a thickened sauce made with coconut aminos and arrowroot powder. This glossy sauce clung to the chicken and vegetables, adding a craveable finish to the dish. Served over rice or noodles, this stir-fry is a weeknight lifesaver that won't sacrifice flavor or nutrition.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 15 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
• 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets
• 1/2 cup sliced carrots
• 1/2 cup sliced celery
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup coconut aminos
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder

Instructions

1. Heat the sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides.
3. Add the broccoli, carrots, celery, and onion and cook until the vegetables are tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos and arrowroot powder.
5. Add the sauce to the skillet and cook until thickened, about 1 minute.
6. Serve immediately over rice or noodles.

Why It Works

• Slicing the chicken into thin strips ensures that it cooks quickly and evenly.
• Marinating the chicken in coconut aminos adds flavor and helps to tenderize it.
• Cooking the vegetables until crisp-tender preserves their texture and nutrients.
• Thickening the sauce with arrowroot powder creates a glossy finish that coats the chicken and vegetables evenly.