Chicken & Veggie Stir Fry
This easy Chicken & Veggie Stir Fry is a quick, nutritious, and flavorful meal combining tender chicken with vibrant vegetables in a savory sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is perfect for healthy weeknight dinners, offering a balanced blend of protein and nutrients with minimal cleanup and customizable flavors.
- 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 boneless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
Vegetables
- 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup carrots, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
Aromatics
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Optional: pinch of chili flakes
Additional
- 1–2 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil for high heat)
- Sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Slice the chicken into thin strips and chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces to ensure even, quick cooking.
- Mix the Sauce: Combine soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a small bowl to create a flavorful stir fry sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a splash of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes, then remove from the pan.
- Stir Fry the Vegetables: In the same pan, add the vegetables starting with the harder ones like carrots and broccoli. Stir-fry quickly until they are crisp-tender, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine and Toss: Return the chicken to the pan, pour in the prepared sauce, and stir everything together until evenly coated and heated through.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with chopped green onions, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, and optional chili flakes. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
Notes
- Prep first: Have all ingredients chopped and sauce mixed before starting for a smooth cooking process.
- Use high heat for quick cooking and to achieve the signature stir fry sear without steaming.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to maintain texture and even cooking.
- Gradually add the sauce to avoid over-saturating vegetables and keep them crisp.
- Use a wok or large skillet to provide enough surface area to toss ingredients freely.
- Frozen vegetables can be used; thaw and drain excess water before cooking to avoid sogginess.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
- Replace chicken with tofu, shrimp, or beef for alternative proteins.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: chicken stir fry, vegetable stir fry, quick dinner, healthy meal, weeknight recipe, gluten free, easy chicken recipe