Ingredients

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• 1 pound chicken breast (about 2 breasts), cubed

• 3 scallions, whites only, thinly sliced on a bias

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon dry sherry

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1-inch piece peeled fresh ginger, minced

• 1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• About 1/3 cup water

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 5 to 6 cups broccoli florets and sliced stalks (keep the 2 cuts separate)

• 3/4 to 1 teaspoon red chili flakes, optional

• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

• Ttoasted sesame seeds, for serving, optional

• Jasmine rice, for serving, optional

Directions

In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with the scallion whites, sugar, sesame oil, sherry, soy sauce, about half the garlic, half the ginger, 1 teaspoon of the cornstarch and 1 teaspoon salt. Marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes. Mix the remaining 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1/3 cup water in a small bowl and reserve.
Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil and heat. Add the broccoli stems and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add the florets and the remaining garlic and ginger, 2 tablespoons water, 1/4 teaspoon salt and some black pepper. Stir-fry until the broccoli is bright green but still crisp, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Get the skillet good and hot again, and then heat the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Add the chicken and red pepper flakes if using. Stir-fry until the chicken loses its raw color and gets a little brown, about 3 minutes. Add the hoisin sauce, return the broccoli to the pan and toss to heat through. Stir in the reserved cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil to thicken. Add more water if need to thin the sauce, if necessary. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if you like.
Mound the stir-fry on a serving platter or divide among 4 plates and garnish with sesame seeds; serve with rice.

Cook’s Note

This simple weeknight stir-fry is comforting and satisfying. The broccoli stems are used to add textural contrast and also to help bulk up the dish, and why waste them?