Easy Chicken Stir Fry

Looking for a quick, flavorful dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes? This Easy Chicken Stir Fry is your weeknight hero. Juicy strips of chicken breast, colorful veggies, and a glossy, savory sauce come together in one sizzling pan — no takeout required.

It’s the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and slightly tangy, with a punch of garlic and ginger that makes every bite irresistible. Whether you’re cooking for your family, meal prepping for the week, or simply craving something satisfying and healthy, this chicken stir fry checks every box.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Fast & Easy: On the table in 25 minutes or less.
• Healthy & Colorful: Packed with lean protein and crisp vegetables.
• Customizable: Use whatever veggies you have in your fridge.
• Budget-Friendly: Simple ingredients, big flavor.
• Better Than Takeout: Fresher, cleaner, and just as delicious!

What Makes This Stir Fry So Good

The magic of stir fry cooking is all about high heat and quick movement. The chicken sears quickly to lock in moisture while the veggies stay crisp and bright. The sauce — a blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of honey — coats everything in a glossy, savory glaze.

Unlike heavy takeout versions, this homemade stir fry is light but deeply satisfying, with just enough richness to feel indulgent without the guilt.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Stir Fry:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (thinly sliced)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable or sesame oil (divided)
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup snap peas (or snow peas)
• 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

For the Sauce:

• ¼ cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (optional but recommended)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey (or brown sugar)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ⅓ cup chicken broth or water

For Garnish (Optional):

• Sesame seeds
• Extra green onions

Instructions

1. Make the Sauce:
   In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, honey, cornstarch, and chicken broth. Set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken:
   Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced chicken and cook until golden brown and just cooked through (about 5–6 minutes). Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. Stir Fry the Vegetables:
   Add remaining oil to the same pan. Toss in garlic, ginger, and all the vegetables. Stir fry for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
4. Combine Everything:
   Return the chicken to the pan. Pour the sauce over everything and toss well. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients evenly.
5. Serve Hot:
   Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve over steamed rice or noodles.

Easy Chicken Stir Fry

A quick, colorful, and healthy chicken stir fry tossed in a savory soy-garlic sauce — ready in under 30 minutes for the perfect weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese-American

Calories: 340

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chicken Stir Fry

• 1 lb chicken breasts thinly sliced
• 2 tbsp vegetable or sesame oil divided
• 1 red bell pepper sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup snap peas or snow peas
• 2 carrots thinly sliced
• 3 green onions chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger grated

Sauce

• 0.25 cup soy sauce low sodium preferred
• 2 tbsp oyster sauce optional
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey or brown sugar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 0.33 cup chicken broth or water

Garnish

• sesame seeds optional
• green onions chopped, optional

Equipment

• Wok or large skillet
• Tongs
• Small mixing bowl
• Whisk

Method

 

1. In a small bowl, whisk all sauce ingredients and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a wok and cook chicken until golden and cooked through.
3. Add remaining oil and stir fry garlic, ginger, and vegetables until crisp-tender.
4. Return chicken to pan, pour in sauce, and cook until thickened.
5. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve over rice or noodles.

Notes

Prep ingredients ahead since stir fry cooks quickly. For extra flavor, marinate chicken in soy sauce for 15 minutes.

Tips for Perfect Stir Fry

• Prep Everything First: Stir fry moves fast — have your ingredients ready before you start cooking.
• Use High Heat: It helps caramelize the chicken and keeps veggies crisp.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook in batches if needed so everything sears properly.
• Adjust the Sauce: Add more soy sauce for saltiness, honey for sweetness, or vinegar for tang.
• Add Spice: A dash of chili flakes or sriracha makes it extra bold.

Customization Ideas

• Protein Options: Substitute chicken with shrimp, beef strips, tofu, or pork.
• Vegetable Swaps: Try mushrooms, zucchini, baby corn, or cabbage.
• Low-Carb Version: Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
• Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce.
• Extra Crunch: Add cashews or peanuts for texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Easy Chicken Stir Fry over:

• Steamed jasmine or basmati rice for a classic pairing.
• Rice noodles or soba noodles for a twist.
• Quinoa or brown rice for a healthy meal prep option.

Pair it with a light side such as cucumber salad or miso soup to make it a balanced dinner.

Storage & Reheating

• To Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• To Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat or microwave with a splash of water.
• To Freeze: Cool completely, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat gently.

Fun Fact

Stir frying originated in ancient China as a quick cooking technique designed to preserve fuel — a valuable resource at the time. Today, it remains one of the healthiest cooking methods in the world because it uses minimal oil and keeps nutrients intact!

Why This Recipe Works

This Easy Chicken Stir Fry hits every note — flavor, texture, and nutrition. The sauce is balanced perfectly between salty soy and sweet honey, while the fresh vegetables add crunch and color. The result? A dinner that’s as satisfying as it is beautiful.

Best of all, it’s flexible — no need to follow it perfectly. It’s the kind of meal that works with whatever you’ve got on hand and always tastes like comfort in a bowl.