Delicious 30-Minute Gluten-Free Korean Ground Chicken & Broccoli: An Allergy-Friendly Weeknight Meal
Are you constantly searching for a dinner recipe that is both quick to prepare and a guaranteed hit with the entire family, even those with allergies? Look no further! This incredible 30-minute Korean Ground Chicken and Broccoli dish perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors with a hint of heat. It’s an effortlessly delicious, gluten-free meal that’s naturally dairy-free, egg-free, and can easily be adapted to be soy, peanut, and tree nut-free, making it a fantastic option for most top 8 allergies. Imagine a flavorful, hearty meal on the table in under half an hour – that’s the promise of this recipe!
This delightful dinner has been a staple in our home for years, a true testament to its irresistible taste and ease of preparation. The recipe was first introduced to me by my best friend, and it quickly earned its permanent spot in our meal rotation. Originally, it called for ground beef, and it’s absolutely delicious prepared that way if beef is suitable for your diet. However, due to my son’s beef intolerance, I made the switch to ground chicken, and I honestly believe it’s equally, if not more, flavorful. This adaptability is one of the many reasons why this Korean chicken recipe is so beloved.
My kids adore this dish, and I’m convinced it’s largely thanks to the wonderfully sweet and savory sauce. For me, the appeal lies in its minimal demands – it requires little effort, time, or a long list of obscure ingredients. In fact, I consistently have all the necessary components stocked in my pantry, making it a perfect last-minute dinner solution when time is tight, but you still want a wholesome, homemade meal. It’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights, offering all the flavor of takeout without the hassle or potential allergy concerns.
Another aspect I particularly appreciate about using ground chicken for this dish is the opportunity to incorporate chicken thighs. While I often find chicken thighs a bit chewier than breast meat in other preparations, here they meld beautifully with the sauce. Crucially, chicken thighs boast a higher content of micronutrients and healthy fats compared to chicken breasts. For my boys, who both contend with EOE (Eosinophilic Esophagitis) and often struggle with weight gain due to their limited diets, finding delicious ways to “sneak in” extra calories and essential nutrients is a constant priority. This ground chicken recipe is an excellent method to ensure they’re getting those added benefits without complaint!
One of the fantastic features of this easy Korean chicken is its customizability, especially regarding heat levels. If you’re cooking for adults or simply enjoy a bolder kick, feel free to increase the amount of Sriracha sauce. I’ll admit, I’m a bit of a mild spice enthusiast myself, but this recipe is designed for you to adjust the heat to perfectly match your personal preference. Whether you like it subtly warm or fiery hot, the choice is yours, ensuring everyone at the table can enjoy it.
My final favorite feature of this meal is that it thoughtfully includes a vegetable, specifically vibrant broccoli. I often find myself frustrated by main dish recipes that leave me wondering what to serve alongside them. I prefer comprehensive meal suggestions that cover both protein and vegetables, ensuring a balanced and complete dinner without additional planning. With this recipe, the sauce is plentiful enough that after cooking the chicken, I remove it from the pan and let the broccoli simmer directly in the leftover savory goodness. This infuses the broccoli with incredible flavor and ensures it cooks to tender-crisp perfection. Serve this delightful mixture with fluffy brown rice – a staple I often prepare in large batches at the beginning of the week for multiple dinners – and you have a complete, healthy, and satisfying meal with minimal fuss. This Korean chicken and broccoli combo truly takes the stress out of weeknight cooking.
I sincerely hope this delicious and adaptable meal becomes a lifesaver on your busiest weeknights, just as it has for our family. It’s a testament that healthy, allergy-friendly eating doesn’t have to compromise on flavor or convenience. Enjoy the simplicity and fantastic taste of this quick, family-favorite dinner!
Frequently Asked Questions About Korean Ground Chicken & Broccoli
Is soy sauce gluten-free?
Many traditional brands of soy sauce are unfortunately not gluten-free, as they often contain wheat as a key ingredient in their brewing process. However, the good news is that there are excellent gluten-free alternatives available! I highly recommend seeking out certified gluten-free brands like Tamari, which is a Japanese-style soy sauce that is typically wheat-free. Another option, if you’re comfortable relying on label ingredients, is La Choy, which often does not list wheat in its ingredients. Always double-check labels to ensure they meet your dietary needs, especially for severe allergies.
What can I use in place of soy sauce if I have a soy allergy?
For those with a soy allergy, finding a suitable substitute for soy sauce is crucial for enjoying Asian-inspired dishes. From my experience, coconut aminos are an absolutely wonderful and widely available alternative. They offer a similar savory, umami flavor profile with a touch of sweetness, making them an excellent replacement not only in this Korean Chicken recipe but also in virtually any other Asian dish where soy sauce is called for. Coconut aminos are made from the sap of coconut blossoms, are naturally gluten-free and soy-free, and often contain less sodium than traditional soy sauce, making them a healthier choice too.
Do I have to use chicken as the protein in the Korean Chicken?
Not at all! This recipe is incredibly versatile when it comes to protein. While ground chicken is our preferred choice due to dietary restrictions and nutritional benefits, any ground meat will work beautifully. Feel free to experiment with ground beef, ground turkey, or even ground pork. Each will lend a slightly different flavor and texture, but the delicious sweet and savory sauce will complement them all wonderfully. This flexibility makes it a great recipe for adapting to what you have on hand or to various dietary preferences.
Is there any other vegetable I can use in this Korean Chicken dinner?
Absolutely! While broccoli is my personal preference for its texture and ability to soak up the sauce, this Korean dinner is highly adaptable to other vegetables. It’s a fantastic “clean out the fridge” meal! Traditional options like bok choy or napa cabbage would be excellent choices, adding an authentic touch. You could also use a medley of colorful vegetables such as bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), sliced carrots, snap peas, green beans, or even spinach or kale stirred in at the end until wilted. Baby corn or sliced mushrooms would also work well. If you’re not a fan of vegetables, you could even omit them entirely, though I highly recommend including some for a balanced meal. Choose whatever suits your fancy and your family’s preferences!
Do you have any other gluten-free Chinese dishes?
Yes, we are big fans of Asian cuisine at our house, but managing multiple allergies – particularly to nuts, gluten, and eggs – means I’ve had to develop many of my own allergy-friendly recipes. If you love this gluten-free Korean chicken, you’ll definitely want to try these other delicious gluten-free substitutes:
- Gluten-Free Lo Mein (Meatless Too!)
- Gluten-Free Instant Pot Bacon Ramen Noodles
- Gluten & Dairy-Free Thai Coconut Soup
- Gluten-Free Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry
- Gluten, Dairy & Egg-Free Asian Quinoa Meatballs
- Gluten-Free Ham Fried Rice
- Gluten-Free Black Pepper Chicken
If you’re looking to explore another fantastic Asian-inspired recipe from a fellow food blogger, be sure to check out this Maple Miso Chicken.
Do you have a video showing how to make the Korean Chicken & Broccoli?
Yes, I do! For a quick and concise visual guide, I love using TikTok. Their short, engaging videos are perfect for demonstrating recipes efficiently. This general overview should give you a fantastic idea of how simple it is to whip up this 30-Minute Korean Chicken & Broccoli. You can also find the video conveniently saved to my Instagram Highlight Bubbles for easy access. Enjoy bringing this delicious meal to life in your own kitchen!
@allergyawesomeness30 Minute Gluten Free Korean Chicken. Quick & kid approved! ##greenscreen ##glutenfreerecipes ##learnontiktok ##tiktokpartner♬ original sound – Megan Lavin
30 Minute Korean Chicken and Broccoli (GF, DF, Egg, Soy, Peanut/Tree nut Free, Top 8 Free)
4 servings
5 minutes
25 minutes
30 minutes
A sweet heat, no fuss, easy weekday meal that’s done in 30 minutes and gluten free!
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup gluten free soy sauce (if you are soy free, you can use coconut aminos)
- 1 Tablespoon sesame oil (if you have a sesame allergy, it’s great without it, just sub in olive oil)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha sauce (or more to taste)
- salt and pepper
- 1 bunch green onions, diced for garnish
- 2 heads of broccoli, washed and cut
- Two cans of drained water chestnuts (optional)
- Brown or white rice, cooked
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook chicken with garlic in the sesame oil (or olive oil if needed).
- Add brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, salt, pepper, and sriracha. Simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors and chicken is cooked through.
- Take the chicken out, set aside and keep covered to stay warm.
- Put the broccoli in the pan with the remaining sauce and cook until bright green and softened.
- If using, add the drained water chestnuts and chicken mixture back into the sauce with the broccoli. Stir to combine everything.
- Serve the chicken and broccoli mixture over steamed rice and top with green onions.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 480Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 1155mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 8gSugar: 26gProtein: 34g
Adapted from: Six Sister’s Stuff