Okay, so you know those nights? The ones where you get home, stare into the fridge, and feel absolutely zero motivation to cook anything complicated? Yeah, me too. That’s exactly why this Simple & Tasty Chicken Stir Fry Recipe is my absolute lifeline during the week. Seriously, it’s the dish I whip up when I need something delicious, healthy, and *fast*. I remember one particularly crazy Tuesday – soccer practice, a late work call, you name it – and I swear I had this on the table in under 30 minutes. The chicken is so tender, the veggies are perfectly crisp, and that sauce? Oh, that sauce is just pure savory goodness. It’s proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients or hours in the kitchen to make something truly satisfying. This recipe just works, every single time.
Why You’ll Love This Simple & Tasty Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Seriously, this recipe is a weeknight miracle worker! It hits all the right notes for when you’re short on time but still craving something amazing. Here’s why it’s become a staple in my kitchen:
- Speedy Success: We’re talking about a delicious meal ready from start to finish in about 30 minutes. Perfect for those evenings when dinner needs to happen NOW.
- Flavor Bomb: That savory sauce is just *chef’s kiss*. It coats everything beautifully, making even simple ingredients taste gourmet.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Lean chicken and a rainbow of fresh veggies mean you’re getting a nutritious meal that actually fills you up without weighing you down.
Quick Preparation for Busy Evenings
With only 15 minutes of prep and another 15 minutes of cooking, this easy chicken stir fry is a lifesaver. You can get a fantastic meal on the table faster than ordering takeout, and it tastes so much better!
Bursting with Flavor
The magic is in that simple sauce! A perfect balance of savory soy sauce, a touch of sweetness from honey, and that nutty aroma from sesame oil. It clings to the chicken and veggies, making every bite incredibly tasty. It’s truly the best chicken stir fry sauce.
Healthy and Satisfying
This isn’t just tasty; it’s good for you too! Lean protein from the chicken and all those vitamins from the fresh vegetables make this a really balanced and satisfying healthy chicken stir fry recipe. You’ll feel great after eating it.
Gather Your Ingredients for Simple & Tasty Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! Having everything prepped makes this quick chicken stir fry dinner a breeze. Trust me, it’s the little things that make a big difference when you’re cooking on a weeknight.
Chicken and Marinade Essentials
For our star protein, grab about 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. We’ll cut these into nice, bite-sized pieces – think about an inch, so they cook up quickly. Then, for that first layer of flavor, we’ll marinate them with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and just 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. This little trick keeps the chicken super tender.
Fresh Vegetables for Color and Crunch
This is where we get our beautiful colors and healthy goodness! You’ll need about 1 cup of broccoli florets, 1 red bell pepper sliced into thin strips, and 1 carrot that’s been thinly sliced into little rounds or half-moons. Feel free to toss in other veggies you love, like snow peas or mushrooms!
Flavorful Sauce Components
This is the flavor powerhouse! You’ll need a good 1/4 cup of soy sauce for the main sauce, 1 tablespoon of honey for a touch of sweetness (you can totally adjust this!), and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil for that irresistible nutty aroma. Whisk these together in a small bowl before you start cooking.
Serving Accompaniment
And of course, don’t forget about 4 cups of cooked rice to serve it all over. It’s the perfect base for all that delicious stir-fry goodness!
Step-by-Step Guide to Your Simple & Tasty Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Alright, let’s get this deliciousness happening! This is where the magic really comes together, and it’s way easier than you think. Just follow these steps and you’ll have an amazing chicken and vegetable stir fry on your table in no time.
Marinating the Chicken
First things first, let’s get that chicken ready. Pop those bite-sized chicken pieces into a bowl. Add the 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and the 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Give it a good toss to make sure every piece is coated. Let it sit there and get happy for about 10 minutes while you get everything else prepped. This little step makes a huge difference in how tender the chicken stays!
Cooking the Chicken to Perfection
Now, grab your biggest skillet or wok. We want to get it nice and hot over medium-high heat. Add about 1 tablespoon of that vegetable oil – just enough to coat the bottom. Once it’s shimmering, carefully add your marinated chicken. Don’t overcrowd the pan; cook it in batches if you need to! Stir-fry it until it’s cooked all the way through and has a lovely golden-brown sear on a few sides. Once it’s done, scoop it out and set it aside on a plate. We’ll bring it back later!
Stir-Frying the Vegetables
Into that same hot skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Now, toss in your broccoli, bell pepper, and carrots. We want to stir-fry these for about 3 to 5 minutes. You’re looking for them to get tender-crisp – still a little bit of a bite to them, not mushy! Keep them moving in the pan so they cook evenly.
Adding Aromatics and Finishing the Sauce
Okay, quick step here: add your minced garlic to the veggies and stir-fry for just about 30 seconds until you can smell that amazing garlicky aroma. Seriously, don’t let it burn! Now, return that beautifully cooked chicken back into the skillet with the veggies. Pour in your pre-whisked sauce mixture (that’s the 1/4 cup soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil). Stir everything together really well, letting it bubble and cook for another minute or two. You’ll see the sauce thicken up and coat all those lovely ingredients. It’s going to smell incredible!
Serving Your Simple & Tasty Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
And that’s it! Ladle that gorgeous stir-fry right over your fluffy cooked rice. Make sure everyone gets a good mix of chicken, veggies, and that irresistible sauce. This is the perfect weeknight chicken stir fry that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did!
Tips for the Best Simple & Tasty Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Making a fantastic stir-fry is all about a few little tricks that make a big difference. Follow these tips and you’ll nail this easy chicken stir fry every single time. It’s the little details that turn good into *great*!
Vegetable Prep Matters
When you’re prepping your veggies, try to cut them all into similar sizes. This makes sure they cook evenly. Nobody wants crunchy carrots and mushy broccoli, right? Uniform pieces are key for that perfect tender-crisp texture!
High Heat for the Perfect Sear
Stir-frying is all about speed and high heat! Make sure your pan or wok is nice and hot *before* you add anything. This is what gives your chicken that lovely sear and makes the veggies crisp-tender instead of steaming them into sogginess. For more on cooking temperatures, check out this hamburger internal temp guide.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan
This is a big one! If you cram too much chicken or veggies into the pan all at once, the temperature drops. This leads to steaming instead of searing. It’s way better to cook in batches if you need to. Trust me, it’s worth the extra minute!
Frequently Asked Questions about Simple & Tasty Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Got questions about whipping up this amazing stir-fry? I’ve got you covered! This recipe is super flexible, so don’t be afraid to make it your own.
Can I use different vegetables in this chicken stir fry recipe?
Absolutely! This chicken and vegetable stir fry is so versatile. Feel free to add snap peas, mushrooms, onions, bok choy, or whatever fresh veggies you have on hand!
How can I make this a low carb chicken stir fry?
Easy peasy! Just skip the rice. Serve this delicious stir-fry over cauliflower rice or just enjoy it as is for a fantastic low carb chicken stir fry option.
What is the best way to store leftovers of this easy chicken stir fry?
Let it cool completely, then pop it into an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll keep well for about 2-3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Approximate Nutritional Information
Just a little heads-up – all the nutritional info for this recipe is an estimate, okay? Depending on the brands you use and the exact cuts of chicken or veggies, the numbers can wiggle around a bit. This is meant to give you a general idea, not exact science! For more information on healthy eating, you might find this guide to teriyaki bowls helpful.
Print
Simple & Tasty Chicken Stir Fry: 30 min delicious meal
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and delicious chicken stir fry recipe perfect for weeknight dinners. This dish features tender chicken and crisp vegetables coated in a savory sauce, making it a healthy and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (for marinade)
- 1 tsp cornstarch (for marinade)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil, divided
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 carrot, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (for sauce)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- In a bowl, marinate chicken with 1 tbsp soy sauce and 1 tsp cornstarch. Set aside for 10 minutes.
- Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove chicken from skillet.
- Add the remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil to the skillet. Add broccoli, bell pepper, and carrot. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Add minced garlic and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Return chicken to the skillet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. Pour sauce over chicken and vegetables.
- Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything.
- Serve immediately over cooked rice.
Notes
- For a low carb option, serve without rice or with cauliflower rice.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like snap peas, mushrooms, or onions.
- Adjust sweetness and saltiness of the sauce to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximate)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: chicken stir fry, easy chicken stir fry, healthy chicken stir fry, quick chicken stir fry, chicken and vegetable stir fry, simple stir fry, weeknight dinner, meal prep
