Name: Chicken Stir Fry Recipe | Amazing Easy Family Dinner
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup chicken broth; 1/4 cup tamari soy sauce or coconut aminos; 1 tablespoon dry sherry, optional; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder; 2 tablespoons avocado oil; 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces; Salt and black pepper, to taste; 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped; 1 small carrot, thinly sliced; 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-size pieces; 1 small yellow onion, chopped; 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds; 1 green onion, sliced

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Busy evenings call for meals that come together quickly without giving up fresh flavor. This Chicken Stir Fry has become one of those dependable dinners in my kitchen. Every bite brings together juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, and a rich homemade sauce that coats everything perfectly. Best of all, it comes together in just 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Stir Fry

This Chicken Stir Fry is simple enough for a weeknight, yet it tastes like something from your favorite restaurant. The homemade sauce balances savory, sweet, and tangy flavors, while the vegetables stay bright and crisp.

You’ll also love how flexible this recipe is. You can switch vegetables based on what you already have in the refrigerator. Likewise, you can use chicken breast or chicken thighs without changing the cooking method.

Even better, this recipe serves four people, so it works well for family dinners or meal prep. Then, if you have leftovers, they taste just as delicious the next day.

Here are a few more reasons to make this recipe:

Ready in 30 minutes
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Serves 4
Made with simple pantry ingredients
Packed with colorful vegetables
Great for meal prep
Easy to customize

Chicken Stir Fry Ingredients

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in this Chicken Stir Fry. Each one adds flavor, texture, or color, so every bite feels balanced.

Ingredients for the Stir Fry Sauce

For the sauce, gather:

1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup tamari soy sauce or coconut aminos
1 tablespoon dry sherry, optional
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot powder

The chicken broth builds the base, while tamari adds deep savory flavor. Meanwhile, honey softens the salty notes with gentle sweetness. Sesame oil gives the sauce a rich aroma, and the vinegar adds brightness. Finally, the cornstarch thickens everything into a glossy coating that clings to every piece of chicken and every vegetable.

Chicken and Vegetables

For the stir fry, you will need:

2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 small carrot, thinly sliced
2 cups broccoli florets
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
4 garlic cloves, minced

These vegetables stay colorful and crisp while adding natural sweetness. At the same time, fresh ginger and garlic fill the pan with an amazing aroma that makes this Chicken Stir Fry hard to resist.

Optional Garnishes

Finish your Chicken Stir Fry with:

1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 sliced green onion

Although optional, these simple toppings add extra crunch, freshness, and restaurant style presentation.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

One of the best things about Chicken Stir Fry is how easily you can adjust it. Therefore, you can work with what you already have while still making a delicious dinner.

Chicken Breast vs. Chicken Thighs

Chicken breast cooks quickly and stays lean. However, boneless skinless chicken thighs stay extra juicy and bring a richer flavor. Both options work beautifully in this recipe.

Best Vegetables for Chicken Stir Fry

Broccoli, carrots, onions, and bell peppers create a classic combination. However, you can also use:

Snow peas
Mushrooms
Zucchini
Eggplant

Try mixing several vegetables together for more color and texture.

Soy Free and Gluten Free Options

Tamari already provides a gluten free option. If you want a soy free version, replace the tamari with coconut aminos. The sauce will taste slightly sweeter but still delicious.

Stir Fry Sauce Substitutions

If you do not have rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar works very well. Likewise, arrowroot powder replaces cornstarch if needed.

Dry sherry remains optional. You can also use mirin, sake, or Shaoxing wine. However, remember that traditional Shaoxing wine is not gluten free.

Fresh ginger and fresh garlic create the boldest flavor, so they are worth using whenever possible.

Chicken Stir Fry vegetables cooking in a skillet with broccoli, peppers, onions, and carrots — Fresh vegetables cooking in the skillet for an easy homemade Chicken Stir Fry.

How to Make Chicken Stir Fry

Making Chicken Stir Fry is quick and easy. The key is to prepare everything before you start cooking. Once the pan gets hot, the recipe moves fast.

Step 1: Make the Stir Fry Sauce

Start by whisking the chicken broth, tamari, dry sherry if using, honey, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and cornstarch together in a bowl.

Keep whisking until the cornstarch fully dissolves. Then set the sauce aside so it is ready when you need it.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat.

Next, arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer. Season them with salt and black pepper.

Cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken turns lightly golden and cooks through.

Then transfer the chicken to a clean plate while keeping the flavorful juices in the pan.

Step 3: Stir Fry the Vegetables

Add the remaining tablespoon of avocado oil to the same skillet.

Next, add the chopped onion, broccoli, carrots, and red bell pepper.

Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes while stirring often. The vegetables should become tender but still have a slight crunch.

That crisp texture gives this Chicken Stir Fry its fresh, satisfying bite.

Step 4: Add the Ginger and Garlic

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.

Then stir in the freshly grated ginger and minced garlic.

Cook for about 30 seconds while stirring constantly. The fresh aromatics become wonderfully fragrant very quickly.

Step 5: Add the Sauce and Finish the Stir Fry

Give the prepared sauce one more quick whisk.

Next, pour it into the skillet.

Stir everything together until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and vegetables. This usually takes about 1 to 2 minutes.

Finally, garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if you like.

Serve your Chicken Stir Fry immediately while it is hot. It pairs beautifully with steamed rice, brown rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles.

Chicken Stir Fry sauce being poured over chicken and vegetables in a skillet — Pour the homemade stir fry sauce over the chicken and vegetables to finish the Chicken Stir Fry.

Tips for the Best Chicken Stir Fry

A few simple tips can make your Chicken Stir Fry even better. These small details help create juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, and a silky sauce every time.

Cook the Chicken and Vegetables Separately

Cook the chicken first, then remove it before adding the vegetables.

This method gives the chicken a light golden color while allowing the vegetables to cook evenly. As a result, nothing becomes overcooked.

Keep the Vegetables Crisp Tender

Avoid cooking the vegetables for too long.

Instead, let them stay slightly crisp because they continue cooking after you combine everything with the sauce.

That little bit of crunch adds wonderful texture to every bite.

Let the Stir Fry Sauce Thicken Properly

After adding the sauce, give it enough time to cook.

Usually, one to two minutes in the hot pan creates the perfect consistency. Then the sauce clings to every piece of chicken and every vegetable instead of pooling at the bottom.

If you prefer a less salty dish, use low sodium tamari. It still delivers great flavor while keeping the sodium lower.

What to Serve With Chicken Stir Fry

This Chicken Stir Fry tastes great on its own, but the right side dish makes it even more satisfying. Because the sauce is full of flavor, simple sides work best.

Steamed white rice is always a classic choice. It soaks up every bit of the savory sauce and creates a balanced meal.

Brown rice adds a hearty texture and extra fiber. Meanwhile, cauliflower rice offers a lighter option if you want to keep the meal lower in carbohydrates.

You can also serve Chicken Stir Fry with cooked noodles. Rice noodles, soba noodles, or egg noodles all pair well with the tender chicken and crisp vegetables.

For extra freshness, add a simple cucumber salad or steamed edamame on the side.

How to Store and Reheat Chicken Stir Fry

This Chicken Stir Fry stores well, so it is perfect for meal prep. In fact, the flavors become even richer after a day in the refrigerator.

Refrigerating Leftovers

Let the Chicken Stir Fry cool completely before storing it.

Next, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 to 5 days.

Freezing Chicken Stir Fry

You can also freeze this recipe for longer storage.

Place the cooled stir fry in a freezer safe airtight container. It will keep well for up to 3 months.

You can even freeze it together with cooked rice for an easy grab and heat meal.

Best Way to Reheat Chicken Stir Fry

For the best texture, warm the Chicken Stir Fry in a skillet over medium heat.

Add a small splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce becomes too thick.

You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave until heated through.

More Such Recipes

If you enjoyed this Chicken Stir Fry, you may also like these easy chicken dinners:

You can also follow Kai Recipes for more recipe inspiration on Pinterest and Facebook.

Chicken Stir Fry FAQs

What is the secret to good stir fry chicken?

The secret to great Chicken Stir Fry is cooking the chicken and vegetables separately. This helps the chicken brown nicely while keeping the vegetables crisp tender. Also, have all of your ingredients ready before you begin because stir frying moves quickly.

What is a chicken stir fry?

A Chicken Stir Fry is a quick meal made by cooking bite sized chicken pieces with fresh vegetables over high heat. Everything comes together with a flavorful sauce that coats every ingredient.

Is a chicken stir fry healthy?

Yes. Chicken Stir Fry can be a healthy dinner because it includes lean protein, colorful vegetables, and a balanced homemade sauce. You can also serve it with brown rice or cauliflower rice for extra nutrition.

What to put on chicken before stir frying?

Season the chicken with salt and black pepper before cooking. Then let the fresh ginger, garlic, and homemade stir fry sauce add even more flavor during the final cooking step.

Chicken Stir Fry served over white rice with broccoli, peppers, and homemade stir fry sauce — Serve Chicken Stir Fry over fluffy white rice for a quick and satisfying family dinner.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Stir Fry is one of those dependable dinners that fits almost any busy evening. It comes together in only 30 minutes, yet every bite feels fresh, colorful, and satisfying.

Because the recipe is easy to customize, you can use your favorite vegetables or whatever you already have in your kitchen. Whether you serve it with rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice, this meal brings plenty of flavor without a lot of effort.

I hope this Chicken Stir Fry becomes one of your favorite homemade dinners. Enjoy every bite, and do not forget to save the recipe for your next busy weeknight.

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