Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry

The craving for something fast, saucy, and takeout-style is real, and this is the answer to it. 1 pan, about 25 minutes, and a glossy sauce thickened with arrowroot instead of cornstarch. A quick weeknight dinner you actually look forward to is worth having on rotation.

The chicken thighs give you protein and a little more richness than breast, and the broccoli does real work here. It is a cruciferous vegetable, a source of fiber and vitamin C, and the fiber feeds a healthier gut community while the vitamin C supports immune function. The carrot adds color and beta-carotene, and the whole dish stays bright and light on the stomach.

This is a humble handful of ingredients turned into something that tastes like a real indulgence. Before you eat, notice the color of the greens against the sauce and take a slow breath. A settled nervous system is part of how the food lands in the body, so let the meal be a small pause, not just fuel.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken thighs, chopped
• 3/4 cup chicken broth, split
• 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder
• 1/4 cup coconut aminos (omit for interstitial cystitis)
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
• 1 cup shredded carrot
• 3 green onions, sliced

The source offers optional roasted salted cashews as a topping. Nuts are off strict AIP, so this version leaves them out, and the dish loses nothing. Coconut aminos stand in for soy sauce; the original omits them for interstitial cystitis, though one reader notes aminos are usually IC-tolerated, so use your own judgment there.

Method

• In a small bowl, whisk a slurry from part of the broth and the arrowroot powder. Set it aside.
• In a skillet over medium heat, simmer the chicken with the rest of the broth, the coconut aminos, maple syrup, garlic, and salt. Pour in the arrowroot slurry and stir until the sauce thickens, a few minutes.
• Add the broccoli and shredded carrot. Cook about 5 more minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the broccoli is bright and tender-crisp.
• Finish with the sliced green onion.

*Adapted from acleanplate.com*