Chicken and Broccoli Stir-fry with Doubanjiang Sauce
Nutritious and Delicious Chicken Stir-fry with Broccoli and Doubanjiang Sauce – A Recipe for Tender Chicken
Tired of dry chicken breast? This Doubanjiang-flavored Chinese-style stir-fry transforms chicken breast into a tender and incredibly flavorful dish. Packed with nutritious broccoli and colorful vegetables, it’s perfect as a healthy meal for kids or a satisfying side dish. Even beginners can achieve delicious results with this easy recipe.
Vegetables and Chicken- Broccoli 200g
- Chicken breast 1 piece (approx. 150-200g)
- Carrot 80g (about 1/3 of a small carrot)
- Yellow bell pepper 1/2
- White wine 1 tsp (for marinating chicken)
- Pinch of salt (for marinating chicken)
- Pinch of black pepper (for marinating chicken)
Doubanjiang Sauce Ingredients- Doubanjiang (Chili Bean Paste) 1 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin) 1.5 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 0.5 Tbsp
- Corn syrup or Oligosaccharide 1 tsp
- Toasted sesame seeds (Sesame seeds powder) 1 tsp
- Sesame oil 1 tsp
- Pinch of salt (for final seasoning)
- Pinch of black pepper (for final seasoning)
- Doubanjiang (Chili Bean Paste) 1 Tbsp
- Cooking wine (Mirin) 1.5 Tbsp
- Minced garlic 0.5 Tbsp
- Corn syrup or Oligosaccharide 1 tsp
- Toasted sesame seeds (Sesame seeds powder) 1 tsp
- Sesame oil 1 tsp
- Pinch of salt (for final seasoning)
- Pinch of black pepper (for final seasoning)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the chicken breast. Slice it into thick strips about 0.5cm wide. Place the chicken in a bowl and marinate it with 1 tsp white wine, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to tenderize and remove any gaminess. Next, prepare the broccoli. Cut it into bite-sized florets. Bring a pot of water to a boil with a pinch of salt and blanch the broccoli for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook it, as it will become mushy. Immediately transfer the blanched broccoli to a bowl of ice-cold water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled, drain thoroughly in a colander. This step helps retain the broccoli’s vibrant green color. Slice the onion, carrot, and yellow bell pepper into strips similar in thickness to the chicken.
Step 2
Now, let’s make the delicious Doubanjiang sauce. In a small bowl, combine 1 Tbsp Doubanjiang, 1.5 Tbsp cooking wine (Mirin), 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1 tsp corn syrup or oligosaccharide. Stir well with a spoon until thoroughly mixed. Finally, add 1 tsp of toasted sesame seeds and stir again to complete the sauce. Doubanjiang can be quite salty, so it’s best to taste and adjust the seasoning with salt later if needed.
Step 3
Heat 1-2 Tbsp of cooking oil in a heated pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the sliced onion and yellow bell pepper. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant. When the bell peppers start to look slightly translucent, it’s time to add the next ingredients.
Step 4
Add the marinated chicken breast strips and sliced carrots to the pan. Stir-fry them together, using chopsticks or a spatula to separate the chicken pieces so they don’t stick together. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside and the carrots are slightly tender, which should take about 2-3 minutes. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly.
Step 5
When the chicken is almost fully cooked, pour the prepared Doubanjiang sauce into the pan. Stir well to coat all the ingredients evenly with the sauce and continue to stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on the heat to prevent the sauce from burning. Taste the stir-fry and add a pinch of salt and black pepper if needed to adjust the seasoning to your preference.
Step 6
Now, add the prepared broccoli florets to the pan. Toss them gently with the other ingredients for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Since the broccoli is already blanched, avoid overcooking to maintain its crisp texture and bright color. If you find the seasoning needs a slight adjustment, add a touch more salt or pepper at this stage.
Step 7
Once all the ingredients are well combined and the aroma is irresistible, turn off the heat. Finish by drizzling 1 tsp of sesame oil around the edges of the pan for an extra layer of fragrance. Give everything a final gentle toss, and your glossy, flavorful chicken and broccoli stir-fry with Doubanjiang sauce is ready! Serve it over hot steamed rice for a delicious rice bowl, or enjoy it as a side dish.
Step 8
Broccoli is often called a ‘brain food’ because it’s rich in nutrients like Vitamin K and lutein, which are beneficial for brain development and memory. It’s an excellent ingredient to include for children who are studying hard or spending a lot of time on their devices. Nourish your family with this delicious dish that’s both nutritious and flavorful!