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5 from 1 vote

Sweet and Spicy Turmeric Chicken with Broccolini

Prep Time16 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time28 minutes
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Keyword: black pepper, boneless chicken, broccolini, gluten free, honey, rice vermicelli noodles, turmeric
Servings: 4 people
Author: GFchow @ gfchow.com

Ingredients

Sauce (see INSTRUCTIONS section below)

  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons honey your favorite kind
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt divided plus more to taste

Chicken Rub

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose gluten free flour I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Broccolini

  • 1 tablespoon coconut or canola oil
  • 1 large bunch of broccolini (approx 1/2 lb.) bottoms trimmed, washed and dried thoroughly. Each spear cut into 4 pieces (any other green vegetable can be substituted for broccolini, see NOTES section below for suggestions)

Final Cooking and Assembly

  • 1 tablespoon coconut or canola oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts pat dry and cut into strips
  • 1/2 package fresh rice vermicelli noodles (8-12 oz) if using dried, follow cooking instructions on package
  • 1-2 tablespoons chopped scallions or chives as garnish optional

Instructions

  • SAUCE PREP: In a small bowl or measuring cup, stir together water with honey, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set honey mixture aside. IMPORTANT: If using the rice noodles, double the sauce.
  • RUB PREP: In a medium bowl, stir together gluten free flour, turmeric, and 1 teaspoon salt.
  • BROCCOLINI PREP: Trim 1/2” off bottom of broccolini stems and, if need be, cut any fat spears in half lengthwise so that all spears are the same width, more or less. Wash and dry thoroughly. Cut each broccolini spear into quarters (into similar length of chicken strips).
  • Heat oil in large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Once heated add broccolini. Cook broccolini until fork tender, approximately 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove broccolini from the pan and transfer to a plate or bowl. Set aside. (No need to clean pan.)
  • While broccolini is cooking, cut chicken into thin strips. See photo above. Add chicken to turmeric flour coating and toss until coated.
  • Add more oil to the pan and bring heat back up to medium-high. Add chicken and cook until turmeric is fragrant and chicken is a beautiful golden brown on both sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
  • Add cooked broccolini back into the pan and mix to combine.
  • If using rice vermicelli noodles (fresh or dried*), add noodles to the pan and then pour honey pepper sauce over. Lower heat to medium or medium-low, if necessary. Using tongs, mix all ingredients together. Cook until noodles are softened and sauce has thickened, approximately 1-3 minutes. (If not using noodles, add honey sauce mixture to the chicken and broccolini and follow same cooking instructions.)
  • *If using dried rice vermicelli noodles, cook them according to package instructions before adding them to the pan.
  • Remove pan from heat.
  • Transfer chicken, broccolini, and noodles to a large platter or serving bowl. Garnish with scallions or chives, if desired.

Notes

If you don’t have broccolini, use whatever greens you have - broccoli, spinach, asparagus, edamame, kale, string beans, peas, etc.
Try with firm tofu or shrimp instead of, or combined with, the chicken.
Add hot pepper flakes to spice it up...even more.
Serve it your way...over rice, rice vermicelli noodles, or tuck into lettuce cups.
To add some crunch to this dish, add some chopped or crushed nuts on top.