Chicken Bell Pepper Stir Fry
Chicken Bell Pepper Stir Fry is a vibrant and quick weeknight meal that balances tender chicken with colorful bell peppers in a flavorful sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this healthy and tasty dish is perfect for busy evenings, offering a nutritious, colorful dinner with minimal cleanup.
- Author: Maria
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into bite-sized strips
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into bite-sized strips
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced into bite-sized strips
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 2 tablespoons water (to mix with cornstarch)
Cooking Oils
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients Start by thinly slicing the chicken breast and chopping the bell peppers into bite-sized strips. Mince fresh garlic and ginger, and slice green onions to have everything ready before heat hits the pan.
- Step 2: Make the Sauce In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, cornstarch mixed with water, to create a smooth, flavorful sauce ready to coat every bite.
- Step 3: Cook the Chicken Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, then add the chicken pieces. Stir-fry until they’re golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes, then remove from the pan and set aside.
- Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed, then toss in the garlic and ginger first to release their aroma. Follow with the colorful bell peppers and cook until they’re tender but still crisp, usually 3-4 minutes.
- Step 5: Combine and Finish Return the chicken to the pan with the vegetables, pour the sauce over everything, and toss until well-coated. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and ingredients to meld beautifully.
Notes
- Use high heat to keep veggies crisp and chicken juicy.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if needed for even searing.
- Slice chicken and vegetables uniformly for consistent cooking times.
- Use fresh garlic, ginger, and crisp bell peppers for best flavors.
- Mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to sauce to prevent clumps.
- For gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or certified gluten-free soy sauce.
- To add heat, include red chili flakes or Sriracha as desired.
- Vegetarian option: replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chicken stir fry, bell pepper stir fry, quick dinner, healthy recipe, gluten free, weeknight meal, colorful stir fry