Easy Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

Introduction

This easy chicken stir fry is a delicious and quick meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken thighs are cooked with a colorful vegetable medley and tossed in a savory, slightly sweet sauce. Serve it over rice or noodles for a satisfying dinner everyone will love.

A round black cast iron pan filled with a colorful stir-fry sits on a white marbled surface, showing about three main layers: tender chunks of light brown chicken scattered evenly, mixed with bright green snap peas, light yellow baby corn, dark green broccoli, red cherry tomatoes, thin red chili strips, and beige onion pieces. The stir-fry has a glossy, dark brown sauce coating the ingredients, with a silver spoon resting inside the pan. To the left, there is a white speckled bowl filled with white rice topped with fresh green cilantro leaves, and below the pan is a white striped cloth with a metal handle peeking out. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil (divided)
  • 2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt (divided, or more to taste)
  • 3 cups vegetable medley (such as broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, mini corn, onions, carrots, sugar snap peas)
  • ⅔ cup low sodium soy sauce
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken stock and cornstarch until smooth. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, light brown sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic; whisk again and set the stir fry sauce aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken thighs in batches if needed, season with 1 teaspoon of salt, and cook for about 5 minutes until cooked through, stirring often. Remove the chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of avocado oil to the skillet. Add the vegetable medley along with the remaining teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 5–7 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables and stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Whisk the reserved stir fry sauce again, then pour it over the chicken and vegetables. Stir gently to combine, bring to a boil while stirring occasionally, and cook for about 1 more minute until the sauce thickens slightly. Serve hot with rice or noodles.

Tips & Variations

  • Use chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat, but thighs remain juicier and more flavorful.
  • Swap the vegetable medley with your favorite fresh or frozen vegetables to customize the dish.
  • For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce.
  • To keep vegetables crispier, cook them separately and combine at the end.

Storage

Store leftover stir fry in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to keep the vegetables crisp, or microwave until heated through. Avoid overcooking during reheating to maintain texture.

How to Serve

A black cast iron pan filled with a vibrant stir-fry sits on a white marbled surface. The dish has many layers: tender pieces of light brown chicken mixed with bright green snap peas, light yellow baby corn, small red cherry tomatoes, deep green broccoli florets, and slices of red and green bell peppers, all coated in a glossy brown sauce. A silver spoon rests inside the pan, partially submerged in the rich mixture. Next to the pan is a white bowl of fluffy white rice topped with fresh green cilantro leaves. A white striped cloth with a grey handle peeks from the bottom right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen vegetables for this stir fry?

Yes, frozen vegetables can be used. Thaw and drain excess water before cooking to prevent sogginess. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the vegetables used.

How do I make the sauce thicker?

If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can add a little more cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) and cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly until it reaches your desired consistency.

Print
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Easy Chicken Stir Fry Recipe


  • Author: Ben
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Easy Chicken Stir Fry is a quick, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken thighs with a vibrant vegetable medley in a savory soy-based stir fry sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it’s made with simple ingredients and cooked swiftly in a skillet or wok to deliver a satisfying, healthy meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into 1 inch cubes

Vegetables

  • 3 cups vegetable medley (broccoli, mushrooms, peppers, mini corn, onions, carrots, sugar snap peas)

Oils & Fats

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil (divided)
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil

Sauce & Seasonings

  • ⅔ cup low sodium soy sauce
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1 tablespoon ginger (grated)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt (divided, or more to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prep the stir fry sauce: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the chicken stock and cornstarch until smooth. Add the low sodium soy sauce, light brown sugar, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and one teaspoon of kosher salt. Whisk all ingredients together thoroughly and set the sauce aside.
  2. Cook the chicken: Heat one tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken thighs in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Season the chicken with one teaspoon of kosher salt and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fully cooked and lightly browned. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Cook the vegetables: Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining tablespoon of avocado oil to the skillet. Add the vegetable medley along with the remaining teaspoon of kosher salt. Cook the vegetables for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are crisp-tender but still vibrant.
  4. Combine chicken and vegetables: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir to combine the ingredients evenly.
  5. Add the sauce and finish cooking: Whisk the prepared stir fry sauce once more and pour it over the chicken and vegetables in the skillet. Stir gently to coat everything evenly. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring occasionally. Allow it to cook for an additional one minute until the sauce thickens and glazes the ingredients. Serve immediately with rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Use a variety of vegetables for color, texture, and flavor, but avoid watery vegetables that can make the stir fry soggy.
  • Cook the chicken in batches if your skillet is small to ensure it browns nicely and cooks evenly.
  • The cornstarch in the sauce is essential to achieving a glossy, thickened stir fry sauce.
  • Feel free to substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast, but thigh meat offers more tenderness and flavor.
  • For extra crunch, consider adding a handful of chopped cashews or peanuts as a garnish.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Asian

Keywords: chicken stir fry, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, stir fry vegetables, soy sauce chicken, healthy stir fry

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