Chicken and broccoli, or broccoli chicken, is an American Chinese dish.

History

Chicken and broccoli developed in Chinese restaurants of the United States where it became widely popular, and is not based on authentic Chinese cuisine.

Preparation

The dish is prepared by stir frying blanched broccoli florets and seared pieces of chicken breast. The chicken is often velveted to tenderize it. The stir fry typically includes a "brown sauce" made with

oyster sauce Oyster sauce describes a number of sauces made by cooking oysters. The most common in modern use is a viscous dark brown condiment made from oyster extracts,The Times, 22 January 1981; ''Cook Accidentally on purpose'' sugar, salt and water, thi ...

soy sauce Soy sauce (sometimes called soya sauce in British English) is a liquid condiment of China, Chinese origin, traditionally made from a fermentation (food), fermented paste of soybeans, roasted cereal, grain, brine, and ''Aspergillus oryzae'' or ''A ...

, ginger, garlic and

Shaoxing wine Shaoxing wine (alternatively spelled ''Shaohsing'', ''Hsiaohsing'', or ''Shaoshing'') is a variety of Chinese ''Huangjiu'' ("yellow wine") made by fermenting glutinous rice, water, and wheat-based yeast. It is produced in Shaoxing, in the Zheji ...

. Some recipes substitute Shaoxing wine with sherry.

Taste

Chicken and broccoli is a popular dish known for its combination of tender, savory

chicken The chicken (''Gallus gallus domesticus'') is a domesticated subspecies of the red junglefowl (''Gallus gallus''), originally native to Southeast Asia. It was first domesticated around 8,000 years ago and is now one of the most common and w ...

and crisp, earthy

broccoli Broccoli (''Brassica oleracea'' var. ''italica'') is an edible green plant in the Brassicaceae, cabbage family (family Brassicaceae, genus ''Brassica'') whose large Pseudanthium, flowering head, plant stem, stalk and small associated leafy gre ...

. Chicken, typically mild and versatile, offers a tender and juicy texture when properly cooked, while broccoli contributes a slight bitterness and earthiness, complemented by a tender crunch. The flavors of both ingredients harmonize well together, with the chicken balancing out the broccoli's natural bitterness.

Seasoning Seasoning is the process of supplementing food via herbs, spices, and/or salts, intended to enhance a particular flavour. General meaning Seasonings include herbs and spices, which are themselves frequently referred to as "seasonings". Salt may ...

and cooking methods play a crucial role in enhancing the dish, with various

spices In the culinary arts, a spice is any seed, fruit, root, Bark (botany), bark, or other plant substance in a form primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of pl ...

herbs Herbs are a widely distributed and widespread group of plants, excluding vegetables, with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnish (food), garnishing food, for medicinal purposes, or for fragrances. Culinary use typi ...

, or

sauces In cooking, a sauce is a liquid, cream, or semi- solid food, served on or used in preparing other foods. Most sauces are not normally consumed by themselves; they add flavour, texture, and visual appeal to a dish. ''Sauce'' is a French wor ...

adding depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile. This dish is celebrated for its simplicity, nutritional value, and the ability to accommodate a wide range of flavor preferences, making it a beloved choice in many cuisines worldwide.

References

American Chinese chicken dishes Brassica oleracea dishes {{chinese-fusion-cuisine-stub

History

Preparation

Taste

See also

References