If you’re craving something quick, flavorful, and packed with nutritious veggies, you’ve got to try this Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe. I absolutely love how this turns out every time—it’s that perfect weeknight dinner that doesn’t feel rushed yet tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Trust me, once you make this, your family will go crazy for the sweet and savory sauce combined with crisp-tender veggies and juicy chicken.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Quick: Ready in under 20 minutes, perfect for those busy evenings when you want dinner fast but fresh.
- Balanced Flavor: The honey and soy sauce combo creates the right mix of sweet and salty that everyone loves.
- Veggie Packed: Broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots add a satisfying crunch and vibrant color to your plate.
- Family Friendly: My kids actually ask for seconds, and it’s a great way to sneak in extra nutrients.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients come together like magic, giving you a dish that’s both hearty and healthy. When I shop, I look for fresh, firm veggies and boneless chicken breasts that are easy to cube and cook evenly.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast: I prefer chicken breast because it cooks quickly and stays tender with the right technique.
- Broccoli florets: These add a lovely crunch; make sure they’re fresh and bright green for the best texture.
- Yellow and red bell peppers: These bring sweetness and color—feel free to use whatever bell peppers you have on hand.
- Baby carrots: Thinly sliced for quick cooking and a pop of natural sweetness.
- Minced ginger and garlic: Fresh is always best here for that pungent kick that wakes up the entire dish.
- Olive oil: I use extra virgin for flavor and a healthy fat that helps the chicken brown nicely.
- Corn starch and cold water: These make the sauce silky and help it cling perfectly to every bite.
- Low sodium chicken broth: Adds depth without overwhelming saltiness.
- Low sodium soy sauce: Keeps the dish balanced, and I always go for low sodium to control salt content.
- Honey: The natural sweetness helps balance the savory notes.
- Toasted sesame oil: Just a tablespoon adds that classic nutty aroma stirring memories of favorite takeout dishes.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Optional, but I love how they add just a subtle spicy kick.
Variations
I like to keep things classic, but this Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe is super flexible. I’ve experimented and found a few ways to customize it based on what’s in my fridge or dietary needs.
- Vegetarian Twist: Swap the chicken for firm tofu or tempeh; just press and cube it, then sauté similarly for a plant-powered version.
- Spicy Upgrade: If you love heat, add more crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of Sriracha in the sauce—it turns up the excitement.
- Seasonal Veggies: Sometimes I swap out broccoli for snap peas or add mushrooms depending on the season and what looks fresh at the market.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari instead of soy sauce to keep it gluten-free without sacrificing flavor.
How to Make Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients for Success
Before you start cooking, take a few minutes to cube your chicken into bite-sized pieces, chop your veggies uniformly, and mince the garlic and ginger. Having everything ready saves you from scrambling and helps the cooking go smoothly—stir fry is all about speed!
Step 2: Cook the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok. Add your seasoned chicken cubes (salt and pepper is perfect here) and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is no longer pink inside and has a lovely golden crust. Remove the chicken and set it aside—don’t overcrowd the pan or it will steam instead of sear!
Step 3: Sauté the Veggies Just Right
Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, then toss in your broccoli, bell peppers, and carrots. Stir-fry for about 4-5 minutes until the veggies are crisp-tender—bright colors should pop, and they’ll have that perfect bite you’re aiming for. Stir frequently so nothing sticks or burns.
Step 4: Whisk Up the Magic Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together the chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, minced ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes. In another little cup, combine the cornstarch with cold water until smooth. This slurry is the secret to that glossy, clingy sauce you’ll love.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Pour the sauce over the veggies in the skillet, then add the cornstarch mixture. Stir constantly so the sauce thickens evenly, about 1-2 minutes. Toss the chicken back in and stir everything until well coated and heated through. The sauce should be shiny and luscious, clinging to every piece perfectly.
Pro Tips for Making Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe
- Prep Ahead: Chop your vegetables and cube your chicken the night before to save time when you’re ready to cook.
- Hot Pan, Little Oil: Make sure your pan is hot before adding oil and ingredients; this helps achieve that lovely sear that makes stir fry special.
- Don’t Crowding the Pan: Cook chicken in batches if needed to avoid steaming and ensure a crispy exterior.
- Mix Sauce Separately: Combining sauce components and thickener apart prevents clumping when adding to the hot pan.
How to Serve Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe
Garnishes
I love sprinkling toasted sesame seeds on top just before serving for an extra nutty crunch. Sometimes I add freshly chopped green onions or a handful of chopped cilantro for a fresh pop of color and flavor. If you like heat, a few more crushed red pepper flakes never hurt!
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or brown rice for a more wholesome option. My go-to sometimes is quick-cooked quinoa or even cauliflower rice if I want to keep it lighter. For extra veggies, a simple cucumber salad or miso soup on the side rounds it out perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I sometimes serve this in a pineapple bowl—just carve out a small pineapple and place the stir fry inside for a fun tropical vibe. Also, serving over a bed of noodles tossed lightly in sesame oil turns it into a great fusion twist that everyone marvels at.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they stay tasty for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens a bit in the fridge, so before reheating, I add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up, keeping that fresh stir fry feel.
Freezing
Freezing is an option, but I noticed the texture of the bell peppers gets softer when thawed. If you plan to freeze, freeze the chicken and sauce separately from the veggies, then combine when reheating for the best results.
Reheating
Reheat over medium heat in a skillet with a small splash of water or broth to revive that saucy texture. Microwaving works too, but stirring halfway through helps keep the veggies from getting soggy.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast in this recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great option if you prefer dark meat; they’ll add a bit more richness and stay juicy. Just cut them into similar-sized cubes and adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they’re fully cooked.
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What’s the best way to get vegetables crisp-tender without overcooking?
Stir-frying over high heat and cooking vegetables in a single layer with frequent stirring helps maintain their crunch. Also, cutting veggies into uniform sizes ensures they cook evenly. Avoid covering the pan, as this steams the veggies instead of keeping them crisp.
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Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix the sauce ingredients in advance and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just bring it to room temperature before adding the cornstarch slurry and cooking to prevent clumping.
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Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! The Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe reheats well and can be portioned out for lunches or dinners throughout the week. Just store the stir fry separately from rice or noodles until ready to eat to keep textures fresh.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it hits all the right notes: fast, flavorful, and flexible. Whether you’re a busy parent, a home cook looking for a simple dinner solution, or just someone who loves bold flavors, you’ll find that it’s a dependable crowd-pleaser. Give it a try—you’ll see how effortlessly it comes together and will soon wonder how you ever made weeknight dinners without it!
Print
Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe
- Prep Time: 8 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
This vibrant Chicken Stir Fry recipe combines tender, cubed chicken breast with colorful broccoli, bell peppers, and baby carrots, all tossed in a flavorful homemade sauce made from honey, low sodium soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and a hint of ginger and garlic. Quick to prepare and packed with fresh ingredients, this healthy stir fry is perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner that will impress with its bold, delicious taste.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into 1 inch cubes)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper (cut into 1 inch pieces)
- 1/2 red bell pepper (cut into 1 inch pieces)
- 1/2 cup baby carrots (sliced)
Sauce
- 2 tsp minced ginger
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 tbsp corn starch
- 2 tbsp cold water
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season the cubed chicken breast with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Toss in broccoli florets, yellow and red bell peppers, and sliced baby carrots. Stir-fry the vegetables for about 4 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
- Add aromatics: Add the minced ginger and garlic to the vegetables. Stir and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the corn starch and cold water until smooth. Then, add low sodium chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, toasted sesame oil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Mix well to combine.
- Combine and thicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the sauce mixture over the top and stir everything together. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce has thickened and evenly coats the chicken and vegetables.
- Serve: Remove from heat and serve the stir fry immediately, ideally over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- This easy Chicken Stir Fry recipe is loaded with fresh veggies and the most delicious sauce made with honey, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil!
- This healthy recipe takes about 20 minutes to make and will wow your family with its amazing flavor!
- Use low sodium soy sauce and chicken broth to keep the sodium content moderate.
- For extra spice, add more crushed red pepper flakes or fresh chili peppers.
- Feel free to swap vegetables according to your preference or seasonality.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 343 kcal
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 570 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 72 mg