Easy Chicken Stir Fry With Vegetables – 30 Minute Recipe
This easy chicken stir fry recipe is packed with tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a flavorful homemade sauce for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes just like this Creamy Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe, this homemade chicken stir fry is perfect for busy nights, meal prep, or a simple family-friendly meal.
How to Make a Chicken Stir Fry
Start by preparing the flavorful homemade stir fry sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, water, soy sauce, cornstarch, Sriracha sauce, and chili flakes until fully combined and smooth. This sauce creates the perfect balance of savory, spicy, and slightly thickened flavor that will coat every bite of your easy chicken stir fry beautifully. Set the sauce aside while you prepare the rest of your ingredients.
Next, dice the red pepper, orange pepper, zucchini, garlic, onion, and fresh ginger, then place everything into a bowl for easy cooking. Having all of your vegetables prepped ahead of time makes this quick chicken stir fry recipe come together easily, especially on busy weeknights. The colorful vegetables not only add vibrant flavor and texture but also make this dish a healthy and satisfying meal.
Dice the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and cook them in a large pan over medium heat until fully cooked through and lightly browned. Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender, making them a perfect choice for a flavorful homemade stir fry recipe. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside while the vegetables cook.
Add the prepared vegetables to the same pan and sauté until they are just softened but still slightly crisp. This helps maintain their fresh texture while absorbing all the delicious flavors from the pan. Return the cooked chicken to the pan, then pour in the prepared stir fry sauce. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, allowing it to thicken until it fully coats the chicken and vegetables. Once the sauce is rich and glossy, remove the stir fry from the heat and serve it over rice or noodles for a quick, flavorful, and satisfying healthy chicken stir fry dinner.
Storage
Store leftover chicken stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze for up to 3 months, though vegetables may soften slightly when reheated.
Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until warmed through.
Meal Prep Tip:
Store with rice or noodles in portioned containers for quick lunches or dinners.
Ingredients
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: provide the juicy, flavorful protein base for this stir fry or these easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs. They stay tender during cooking and absorb the bold homemade sauce beautifully, making them ideal for an easy chicken stir fry recipe.
Red Pepper: adds sweetness, vibrant color, and a crisp texture that balances the savory and spicy flavors of the stir fry.
Orange Pepper: offers additional sweetness and bright flavor while adding beautiful color variation to this healthy stir fry.
Zucchini: adds mild flavor and soft texture, helping bulk up the vegetable content while keeping the dish fresh and nutritious. It can easily be substituted if needed.
Broccoli Florets: provides a hearty, nutrient-rich vegetable that pairs perfectly with stir fry sauce while adding satisfying texture and crunch.
Garlic: adds bold, savory flavor and depth, enhancing the overall taste of the sauce and chicken.
White Onion: adds aromatic sweetness and savory flavor, creating a flavorful base for this homemade chicken stir fry.
Fresh Ginger Root: adds warmth, freshness, and a slightly spicy kick that gives stir fry its classic flavor profile.
Green Onions: provide a fresh, mild onion garnish that brightens the finished dish.
Sesame Seeds: add optional crunch, nuttiness, and a restaurant-style finishing touch.
Stir Fry Sauce Ingredients
Chicken Broth: forms the flavorful liquid base of the sauce while adding savory richness. Try making your own homemade Chicken Bone Broth with this recipe!
Water: helps balance the sauce consistency and ensures even coating.
Soy Sauce: adds salty, umami-rich flavor that gives the stir fry its classic savory taste.
Cornstarch: thickens the sauce, creating that glossy, restaurant-style coating.
Honey: helps to sweeten the sauce and make it sticky once it has been simmering.
Sriracha Sauce: adds bold heat and tangy spice, making this a flavorful spicy chicken stir fry.
Chili Flakes: intensify the spice level and add extra heat for those who love bold flavors.
Pro Tip:
Prep all ingredients before cooking, as stir fry comes together quickly once the pan is hot.
Other 3o Minute Weeknight Dinners
- Taco Salad
- Easy Pan-Fried Salsa Chicken
- Chicken Quesadillas
- Beef Noodle Stir-Fry
- Chicken Teriyaki
- Garlic Parmesan Pasta
Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Ingredients
Stir Fry Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 red pepper cubed
- 1/2 orange pepper cubed
- 1/2 zucchini sliced (can substitute cucumber if needed)
- 1 broccoli head just the florets
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- 1/2 white onion diced
- 1/4 ginger root peeled and diced
- 2 tbsp. green onions diced to garnish
- 1 tsp. sesame seeds to garnish optional
Stir Fry Sauce
- 1/2 c. chicken broth
- 1/4 c. water
- 1/4 c. soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 tbsp. honey
- 2 tbsp. Sriracha sauce
- 2 tsp. chili flakes
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk the chicken broth, water, soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, Sriracha sauce, and chili flakes. Set aside.
- Dice the red pepper, orange pepper, zucchini, garlic, onion, and ginger and place into a bowl. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tbsp. of the oil of your choice in a frying pan or Wok. Dice the chicken thighs and place into the pan on medium-high heat and fry until browned and fully cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add the vegetables to the pan and fry until just softened mixing often. Add the chicken back to the pan and add the stir-fry sauce.
- Bring the sauce to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let the sauce simmer until it has thickened and the sauce is coating all the vegetables and chicken.
- Remove from the heat, sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onion if desired, and serve over rice or noodles!
Notes
Author: Sarah Young
Chicken Stir Fry FAQ
What vegetables are best for chicken stir fry?
Popular choices include broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, onions, snap peas, and mushrooms.
How do I keep chicken tender in stir fry?
Cut chicken evenly, avoid overcooking, and marinate if desired.
Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, frozen vegetables work well for convenience, though fresh vegetables may provide better texture as frozen vegetables can make the stir fry a bit wetter than what you are looking for.
What sauce is best for chicken stir fry?
Soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and honey or brown sugar create a flavorful stir fry sauce.
Can chicken stir fry be meal prepped?
Yes, it stores very well and is excellent for make-ahead lunches.
Is chicken stir fry healthy?
Yes, it can be a healthy, balanced meal with lean protein and vegetables.
Can I serve stir fry with rice or noodles?
Absolutely. Rice, brown rice, quinoa, or noodles all pair well.
How long does chicken stir fry take to cook?
Most chicken stir fry recipes are ready in about 20–30 minutes.