This chicken stir fry is quick, flavorful, and easy to make. Tender chicken, crisp veggies, and a savory stir fry sauce come together in one pan for a delicious meal. Perfect for busy nights, it’s a healthy and versatile dish you can customize with your favorite ingredients!
Key Benefits of Chicken Stir Fry
Making chicken stir fry at home is not only quick and easy but also packed with fresh flavors and nutrients. Here’s why you’ll love this dish:
- Fast & Convenient – Ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- One-Pan Simplicity – Less cleanup with everything cooked in a single skillet or wok.
- Healthy & Balanced – Loaded with lean protein from chicken and a variety of crisp vegetables for a nutritious meal.
- Customizable – Swap out veggies, sauces, or protein to fit your taste and dietary preferences.
- Bold, Savory Flavor – A rich blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil creates the perfect stir-fry sauce.
This dish brings together restaurant-quality flavors in a homemade, hassle-free way. It’s a go-to recipe for a quick, delicious, and satisfying meal!
Ingredients for chicken stir fry
Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for this chicken stir fry, offering lean protein and a tender bite. Slicing the chicken thinly ensures quick, even cooking.
Vegetables – A mix of crisp veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas add color, texture, and essential nutrients. Using fresh vegetables keeps your chicken stir fry vibrant and flavorful.
Oil – Sesame oil or vegetable oil provides the perfect base for stir-frying, helping the chicken sear beautifully while enhancing the dish’s overall taste.
Garlic & Ginger – These aromatics bring depth and warmth to the chicken stir fry, infusing every bite with bold, savory flavors.
Soy Sauce – The foundation of the stir-fry sauce, soy sauce adds rich umami flavor and a salty balance that coats the chicken and vegetables perfectly.
Honey – A touch of honey brings a subtle sweetness that balances the salty and savory elements in the chicken stir fry sauce.
Cornstarch – Helps thicken the sauce, ensuring it clings to the chicken and vegetables for that glossy, restaurant-quality finish.
Rice Vinegar – Adds a mild tanginess that brightens up the overall flavor of the chicken stir fry.
Red Pepper Flakes (optional) – A pinch of spice elevates the heat level, making the chicken stir fry more dynamic. Adjust according to your preference.
Instructions for chicken stir fry
Making this chicken stir fry is as easy as it is delicious! Just follow these simple steps:
Prepare the Chicken:
Start by slicing the chicken breasts into thin strips. This helps them cook quickly and evenly.
Season the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the flavor.
Make the Stir Fry Sauce:
In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). This creates the savory stir-fry sauce that will coat everything beautifully. Set it aside.
Cook the Chicken:
Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add the sliced chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes until it’s golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.
Stir Fry the Vegetables:
In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed.
Toss in the garlic and ginger, sautéing for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the mixed vegetables and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they’re tender-crisp.
Combine and Serve:
Return the chicken to the pan with the vegetables.
Pour the stir-fry sauce over everything and stir to combine. Let it cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken and vegetables.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more soy sauce or honey if needed.
Your chicken stir fry is now ready to enjoy! Serve it over rice or noodles, and enjoy a dish full of tender chicken and crispy vegetables coated in a rich, flavorful sauce.
Pro Tips
Slice Chicken Thinly – Cutting the chicken into thin, even strips helps it cook quickly and stay tender. For easier slicing, slightly freeze the chicken for 15 minutes before cutting.
Use High Heat – Stir frying works best over medium-high to high heat to ensure a nice sear on the chicken while keeping the vegetables crisp.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan – Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid steaming instead of searing.
Fresh vs. Frozen Vegetables – Fresh veggies provide the best texture, but if using frozen, thaw and drain them first to prevent excess moisture.
Adjust the Sauce Consistency – If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water or chicken broth. If it is too thin, let it simmer for another minute to thicken.
Customize the Flavors – Add a dash of oyster sauce for extra umami or a squeeze of lime for brightness. If you love heat, sprinkle in more red pepper flakes or drizzle with sriracha.
Master these tips, and your chicken stir fry will turn out flavorful, vibrant, and perfectly balanced every time!
Variations
Protein Options – Swap the chicken for shrimp, beef, or tofu to suit different preferences. Shrimp cooks quickly, while beef benefits from a brief marinade for tenderness.
Vegetable Swaps – Use whatever you have on hand! Try zucchini, mushrooms, bok choy, or baby corn for a different texture and flavor combination.
Low-Carb Alternative – Skip the rice and serve your stir fry over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter meal.
Spicy Kick – Increase the heat by adding chili paste, extra red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of sriracha.
Gluten-Free Version – Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to keep the dish gluten-free.
Sweeter Sauce – Add a splash of pineapple juice or hoisin sauce for a slightly sweeter flavor profile.
With these easy variations, you can customize your chicken stir fry to fit your taste and dietary needs!
Serving Suggestions
Over Steamed Rice – Classic and satisfying, serve your stir fry over jasmine, basmati, or brown rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
With Noodles – Toss it with lo mein, rice noodles, or udon for a hearty meal with extra texture.
Low-Carb Option – Enjoy it over cauliflower rice or stir-fried cabbage for a lighter alternative.
Alongside a Fresh Salad – A crisp Asian slaw or cucumber salad adds a refreshing contrast to the warm stir fry.
Topped with Crunch – Garnish with chopped peanuts, sesame seeds, or crispy fried onions for extra flavor and texture.
Paired with a Side Dish – Serve with spring rolls, dumplings, or miso soup for a complete meal.
These serving ideas make your chicken stir fry even more versatile and satisfying!
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FAQs
What vegetables work best in chicken stir fry?
Bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and onions are popular choices. You can also use zucchini, mushrooms, or baby corn for variety.
How do I make my stir-fry sauce thicker?
Mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce. Let it simmer for a minute until it thickens to the desired consistency.
Can I use frozen vegetables for stir fry?
Yes, but thaw them slightly and pat them dry to prevent excess moisture from making the dish watery.
What’s the best way to keep chicken tender in stir fry?
Slice the chicken thinly against the grain and marinate it with a little soy sauce and cornstarch for extra tenderness.
How do I store and reheat chicken stir fry?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan over medium heat to keep the texture fresh, adding a splash of water if needed.
chicken stir fry
Ingredients
For the Stir Fry:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced thin
- 2 cups mixed vegetables bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snap peas
- 2 tablespoons oil sesame or vegetable
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
For the Stir Fry Sauce:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice chicken into thin strips and season with salt and pepper.
- Make the Sauce: Whisk soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Stir Fry the Vegetables: Add more oil if needed. Sauté garlic and ginger for 1 minute, then add vegetables. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Return chicken to the pan, pour in sauce, and stir. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.