Updated on September 9th, 2025
If you are craving a flavorful Chinese-inspired dinner that doesn’t require deep frying, chicken in garlic sauce is a great choice. This dish keeps things simple by using a quick marinade that also doubles as the sauce, which makes preparation easier and saves time. The chicken cooks right in the wok with broccoli, soaking up the garlic, soy sauce, and honey that create a sweet and savory balance. Served with rice, it is a meal that feels light but still very filling, making it a nice option for a weeknight dinner.
Why this recipe works
- No breading needed: Since the chicken cooks directly in the marinade instead of being coated and fried, the dish feels lighter while still being packed with flavor.
- Garlic forward flavor: The use of fresh garlic combined with soy sauce and honey makes the sauce rich, sweet, and savory, giving it a balance that keeps every bite interesting.
- One-pan cooking: Everything cooks in the same wok or skillet, which makes cleanup quick and lets the flavors blend together while cooking.
- Flexible ingredients: The broccoli adds freshness and crunch, but you can easily swap in snow peas, bell peppers, or carrots depending on what you have on hand.
- Simple but satisfying: The short ingredient list and easy steps mean you can get a flavorful dinner on the table without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
Serving suggestions
- Classic pairing: The best way to serve chicken in garlic sauce is over a bed of fluffy white rice, which soaks up the sweet and savory sauce and makes each bite more enjoyable.
- Noodle option: You can also serve it with steamed noodles or lo mein for a change of texture, especially if you want something a little more filling than rice.
- Add variety: A side of egg rolls or wontons makes a great addition and turns this dish into a complete takeout-style dinner at home.
- Lighter choice: For a healthier twist, serve the chicken and broccoli over cauliflower rice or even quinoa, which absorbs the sauce in a different but still tasty way.
- Extra garnish: Sprinkle sesame seeds or sliced green onions over the top before serving to add a little crunch and freshness.
Chicken in Garlic Sauce Recipe
Enjoy homemade chicken in garlic sauce, a Chinese takeout favorite with tender chicken, broccoli, and a savory garlic soy flavor.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1” chunks)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- A 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- A 1/4 cup of water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 head fresh broccoli (cut into florets)
Instructions
- In a bowl combine garlic, soy sauce, water, honey, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, cornstarch, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well. Stir chicken into the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- In a large wok or skillet, heat remaining tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. With a slotted spoon remove the chicken from the marinade and add to the wok or fry pan (reserve the marinade). Stir fry chicken for 3 minutes.
- Add broccoli and stir fry for an additional 2 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.
- Add the reserved marinade to the wok or fry pan and cook until thickened.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 18.6 g
- Sodium: 479.5 mg
- Fat: 9.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 23.5 g
- Protein: 27.5 g
- Cholesterol: 82.7 mg