Recipe #65: Szechuan Chicken with Broccoli...Quick, Simple & Delicious!

I pretty much like any Asian food...Chinese, Japanese, Korean.  That said, I don't cook a lot of it, simply because most times it's easier going out for it.  Also, there can be quite a variety of spices, sauces and oils one needs to purchase, and like Thai food, you may use these ingredients once in a blue moon.  Unless I ate Thai once a week, I wouldn't be so inclined to invest in tamarind, fish sauce and dried shrimp.   This recipe, however, is simple, fast and does not require you to give up your first born in order to have what's needed to prepare it.  But, the best reason to make this dish is that it tastes absolutely delicious.  I never get tired of eating it, even though I'm more of a beef fan.  Please try it...I hope you end up feeling the same way I do about this recipe. 

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts                       2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp dry sherry                                                         2 tbsp cornstarch
2 cups broccoli florets                                               4 tbsp canola oil, divided

SAUCE

2 tbsp dry sherry                                                        2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar                                                    2 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce                                      1 tbsp water
1 tbsp cornstarch                                                       1 tsp red pepper flakes

Slice chicken breasts into thin slices.  Whisk the soy sauce, sherry and cornstarch in a small bowl.  Add the chicken and stir until thoroughly mixed.  Cover with plastic wrap set aside for about 2 hours.   Combine the sauce ingredients and set aside.  Place 2 tbsp of the canola oil in a large frying pan or wok over high heat.  Add the broccoli and saute for about 2-3 minutes.  Remove broccoli and put in a bowl.  Heat remaining canola oil for about 30 seconds.  Add chicken, marinade and all, and cook over high heat, stirring constantly for about 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken just starts to brown, (see below).   Reduce heat to medium/low and add the sauce mixture and broccoli, (see below).  Cook just until it thickens.  This should take only a few minutes.   Bon appetit!