Chicken Stir Fry is a sweet, savory, and protein-packed Asian dish. It is usually made with chicken, vegetables, and flavor-loaded stir fry sauce. The recipe I have shared here shows you how to make Chicken Stir Fry with easy step-by-step instructions for you to try and enjoy at home.
I have also shared a detailed video of this recipe to make the cooking process visually clear. This easy homemade Chicken Stir Fry is one of the best quick-to-make stir fry dishes that taste great for lunch and dinner with rice dishes like white rice, brown rice, or noodles. And the bonus is you can enjoy a healthy protein-packed side dish in under 30 minutes.
Jump to:
What is Chicken Stir Fry?
Chicken Stir Fry is a sweet, savory, and mildly spiced Asian dish. It is usually made with chicken, vegetables, and flavor-loaded stir fry sauce. This easy homemade Chicken Stir Fry is a quick-to-make easy dinner meal and tastes great with rice, brown rice, or noodles.
This stir fry with chicken and vegetables is one of the popular dishes among Chinese or other Asian take-out restaurants. If you are craving restaurant-style stir fry recipes at home then this dish is a must-try. Not only it is delicious but makes a quick meal in under 30 minutes.
So if you are looking for easy chicken dinner recipes, this Chicken Stir fry is a perfect dish to delight your meal. Not only for dinner you can also whip this finger-licking protein-packed dish for lunch as well.
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need to make this Chicken Stir Fry are basic Asian pantry elements. You could find these ingredients in most Asian grocery stores or Asian Aisle in gourmet grocery outlets. So let's see what they are below.
For Sauce
Following are the ingredients you will need to make Chicken stir fry sauce.
- Soy Sauce - I have used low-sodium soy sauce for making the stir fry sauce but you can also use tamari Sauce for a similar flavor. You may see another soy sauce in the picture below, and that is dark soy sauce which I have used for marinating the chicken pieces
- Chili Sauce - Asian chili sauce or any other hot sauce that's handy for you
- Garlic Powder - Even though garlic powder works fine for this recipe, you can also use fresh minced garlic for an even more strong garlicky flavor
- Paprika and Chili Flakes - To achieve some heat to this stir fry. I have also used ground white pepper to achieve some earthy flavor notes to this stir-fry dish
- Honey and Brown Sugar - Delivers the sweet and rich glazy look to your dish
- Chicken Broth - Delivers the rich chicken flavors but you could also use vegetable broth if that's handy for you
- Sesame Oil - For earthy and rustic flavor. Here I have used sesame oil while stir-frying the chicken and vegetables
- Cornstarch - For thickening the sauce as well as to marinating the chicken
For Chicken Stir Fry
Following are the ingredients you will require to Stir Fry the Chicken and Vegetables.
- Chicken - I have used boneless chicken breast for making this stir fry but thighs also work fine for this recipe. And I have marinated the chicken pieces with some basic spices and sauces that I have discussed in the marinade section below
- Aromatics - Fresh ginger and garlic make magic for most Chinese stir fry recipes, so I recommend not compromising on it
- Vegetables - Feel free to use any fresh Vegtables like broccoli, beans, carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, and snow peas that are handy for you. And most leftover vegetables work like a charm for most stir-fried dishes
- Sesame Seeds - For the final garnishing of the dish
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below
How to make Chicken Stir Fry?
The recipe I have shared here is an easy Chicken Stir Fry, a classic Asian take-out dish. The process involves making Chicken stir fry sauce and stir-frying the chicken and vegetables in the sauce. And the bonus is you will get a flavor-packed, healthy, and protein-rich meal in under 30 minutes.
Following are the high-level instructions to make this recipe but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and video, please check out the recipe card below.
To make Chicken Stir Fry Sauce
- Add - In a bowl, add chicken broth, soy sauce, chili flakes, honey, chili sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch
- Mix and Reserve - Mix well and reserve it for later use
To make Chicken Stir Fry
- Season Chicken - In a bowl, add the bite-size boneless chicken pieces and add the garlic powder, paprika, soy sauce, ground white pepper, salt, and cornstarch
- Mix - Give it a good mix until all the seasoning coats well on the chicken pieces
- Spread Chicken in Wok - Now in a wok with high-medium heat, pour 2 tbsp sesame oil and add the seasoned chicken pieces. Spread the chicken pieces in single and even layer
- Cook - Cook the chicken for about 3 to 5 minutes. Flip it and stir fry for another 3 to 5 minutes
- Remove - Now remove the chicken from the wok and reserve it for later use
- Saute Aromatics - In the same wok, add 2 tbsp of sesame oil and add ginger and garlic. Saute until it turns aromatic
- Stir Fry Veggies - Add onions and stir fry for about 30 to 40 seconds. Now add the broccoli, carrots, and zucchini, and stir fry for 2 minutes. Then add bell peppers and season with salt. Stir Fry everything on high heat for about 1 minute
- Stir in the Chicken - Now add the reserved stir-fried chicken and give it a good toss
- Add Sauce - Add the sauce that we prepared earlier to this chicken-vegetable mixture. (Note: Sometimes the cornstarch added would settle down at the bottom of the bowl, so make sure to give the sauce a mix before adding it to the chicken and vegetable mixture)
- Stir Fry and Garnish - Give it a good stir until the sauce turns glossy and slightly thick. Finally, garnish with sesame seeds and remove from heat
- Serve - Serve this Stir Fry dish over a bowl of white rice, brown rice, basmati rice, or noodles for a wholesome meal
Tips
- Sauce - The sauce plays an important role in adding so much flavor to your stir fry dish. So I recommend using the ingredients without compromising
- Marinade - Even though boneless chicken pieces can be stir-fried as it is without marinating them, for deep-depth flavors I recommend using a perfect marinade to season. Then stir fry the chicken for initial few minutes and then add it again while stir-frying the veggies gives a finger-licking good flavor
- Veggies - You can feel free to use your favorite veggies which works perfectly fine. But I recommend choosing fresh veggies over frozen
- Sesame Oil - For authentic earthy flavor I suggest using a good quality sesame oil or you can also use soybean oil or peanut oil
- Temperature - Always the wok should be on high heat for any stir-frying recipe. This makes the dish crisp, tender, and also infused with a lot of flavors
- Add the Meat First - It is essential to cook or stir fry the chicken or meat for achieving an evenly cooked texture. And don't forget to remove the meat once you start to stir-fry the veggies. Once the veggies are stir-fried you can add back the chicken
- Cook the hard veggies first - Always stir fry the hard veggies first like broccoli and carrots and then stir fry soft veggies like mushrooms, and bell pepper for evenly cooked veggies
What is the best Stir Fry marinade for Chicken?
The tastes of stir-fry dishes usually depend on the sauce and the marinade that you use to season the chicken. Typically in Asian recipes, Soy Sauce plays an important role in making the marinade which delivers salty umami flavors. Here in this particular recipe, I have used low-sodium dark soy sauce, garlic powder, paprika, ground white pepper, salt, and cornstarch as a marinade.
Usually, the chicken or meat is marinated in the marinade for hours to achieve the best flavor. But due to the nature of this recipe, I haven't rested it instead I have marinated the chicken and stir-fried it in a high-heat wok.
Storage Suggestions
This Chicken Stir Fry tastes great as soon as it is out of a wok. But you can also store the leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a day in a closed airtight container.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Chicken Vegetable Stir Fry over rice dishes such as white rice, brown rice, basmati rice, or noodles for a flavor-packed lunch or dinner.
Related Recipes
You could also find similar best stir fry recipes below and more at Asian recipes and Chinese recipes.
- Vegetable Stir Fry
- Shrimp Stir Fry
- Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry
- Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Orange Chicken
- Szechuan Chicken
- Kung Pao Chicken
- General Tso's Chicken
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Pad Thai
Chicken Stir Fry Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Chicken Stir Fry Recipe below that I hope will help you to make a perfect lunch or dinner at home. You could also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Chicken Stir Fry
Ingredients
For Chicken Stir Fry Sauce
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 3 tbsp Soy Sauce, preferred low sodium
- 1 tsp Chili Flakes
- 2 tsp Chili Sauce
- 2 tsp Brown Sugar
- 2 tsp Honey
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
For Chicken Stir Fry
- 1 lb Boneless Chicken, chicken breast or thighs
- Salt, as needed
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Ground White Pepper
- 3 tbsp Soy Sauce, low sodium, dark
- 1 tbsp Cornstarch
- 4 tbsp Sesame Oil, 2 tbsp + 2 tbsp
- 1 tsp Garlic, chopped
- 1 tsp Ginger, chopped
- ¼ cup Onion, cubed and layers separated
- 1 cup Broccoli, florets
- ¼ cup Carrots , chopped
- 1 cup Zucchini, diced
- ¼ cup Green Bell Pepper
- ¼ cup Yellow Bell Pepper
- Sesame Seeds, to garnish
Instructions
To make Chicken Stir Fry Sauce
- In a bowl, add chicken broth, soy sauce, chili flakes, honey, chili sauce, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Mix well and reserve it for later use
To make Chicken Stir Fry
- In a bowl, add the bite-size boneless chicken pieces and add the garlic powder, paprika, soy sauce, ground white pepper, salt, and cornstarch. Give it a good mix until all the seasoning coats well on the chicken pieces
- Now in a wok with high-medium heat, pour 2 tbsp sesame oil and add the seasoned chicken pieces. Spread the chicken pieces in single and even layer
- Cook the chicken for about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the chicken and stir fry for another 2 to 3 minutes
- Now remove the chicken from the wok and reserve it for later use
- In the same wok, add 2 tbsp of sesame oil and add ginger and garlic. Saute until it turns aromatic
- Add onions and stir fry for about 30 to 40 seconds. Now add the broccoli, carrots, zucchini, and stir fry 2 minutes. Then add bell peppers and season with salt. Stir Fry everything on high heat for about 1 minute
- Now add the reserved stir-fried chicken and give it a good toss
- Add the stir-fry sauce that we prepared earlier to this chicken-vegetable mixture. (Note: Sometimes the cornstarch added would settle down at the bottom of the bowl, so make sure to give the sauce a mix before adding it to the chicken and vegetable mixture)
- Give it a good stir until the sauce turns glossy and slightly thick. Finally, garnish with sesame seeds and remove from heat
To Serve
- Serve this Chicken Stir Fry over a bowl of white rice, brown rice, basmati rice, or noodles for a wholesome meal
Video
Notes
- Sauce - The sauce plays an important role in adding so much flavor to your stir fry dish. So I recommend using the ingredients without compromising
- Marinade - Even though boneless chicken pieces can be stir-fried as it is without marinating them, for deep-depth flavors I recommend using a perfect marinade to season. Then stir fry the chicken for initial few minutes and then add it again while stir-frying the veggies gives a finger-licking good flavor
- Veggies - You can feel free to use your favorite veggies which works perfectly fine. But I recommend choosing fresh veggies over frozen
- Sesame Oil - For authentic earthy flavor I suggest using a good quality sesame oil or you can also use soybean oil or peanut oil
- Temperature - Always the wok should be on high heat for any stir-frying recipe. This makes the dish crisp, tender, and also infused with a lot of flavors
- Add the Meat First - It is essential to cook or stir fry the chicken or meat for achieving an evenly cooked texture. And don't forget to remove the meat once you start to stir-fry the veggies. Once the veggies are stir-fried you can add back the chicken
- Cook the hard veggies first - Always stir fry the hard veggies first like broccoli and carrots and then stir fry soft veggies like mushroom, and bell pepper for evenly cooked veggies
Nutrition
FAQ
Chicken Stir Fry is a sweet, savory, and mildly spiced Asian dish. It is usually made with chicken, vegetables, and flavor-loaded stir fry sauce. This easy homemade Chicken Stir Fry is a quick-to-make easy dinner meal and tastes great with rice, brown rice, or noodles.
The best Oil for stir-fry recipes is sesame oil, soybean oil, and peanut oil. These oils are commonly used in Asian cooking for achieving earthy and rusting flavor notes.
Yes, you can make this dish without the sauce, and still, the dish tastes delicious with marinated chicken and wholesome crisp and tender veggies.
I hope you enjoyed the recipe I shared here and would love to hear from you about how it turned out for you. Please let me know.
If you have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Happy Cooking!
Leave a Review