Chicken Stir Fry

Chicken Stir Fry is a quick, colorful dish of tender chicken, crisp veggies, and savory sauce cooked quickly over high heat. It’s healthy, flavorful, simple, and a perfect weeknight meal everyone will love!

Chicken Stir Fry

Chicken Stir Fry is a delicious and nutritious weeknight meal solution that can be whipped up in 30 minutes, and is way better than takeout.

This meal has it all! With a savory, fresh flavor, it's packed with lean protein and fresh flavor, making it not only quick and easy to make, but a wholesome, nutritious meal! Chicken stir fry is customizable and budget-friendly, using pantry stapes and seasonal vegetables with a side of rice, to keep costs low.

This versatile dish is packed with vibrant vegetables, tender chicken, and a flavorful savory sauce that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds. Whether you’re cooking for your family or meal-prepping for the week, this recipe is a winner.

What Kind of Vegetables Do You Put In Stir Fry?

The sky is the limit when making your own stir fry. For this larger recipe, you need 4 cups of vegetables total.

Some of my favorite stir fry vegetables include sugar snap peas, sliced onion, bean sprouts, mushrooms, broccoli, shredded carrots, sliced or diced bell pepper, green onions, water chestnuts, shelled edamame, or zucchini.

Stay away from large pieces of hard vegetables such as potato or carrots, as the quick cook time will not be enough to cook them through or soften them. Alternately, you could boil or steam them enough ahead of time to finish cooking in the stir fry before adding them.

Can I Use Frozen Vegetables in Stir Fry

Yes, you can! Frozen vegetables can be a big time saver on busy nights, cutting down significantly on prep work! It's best to cook them directly from frozen to prevent them from over-cooking or becoming too soft.

Frozen vegetables may require a little bit of extra cook time, and they will also release more water than fresh vegetables. The extra liquid can make a slightly more runny sauce. You can either drain liquid out before adding sauce ingredients or follow the method below to thicken your sauce.

Customize Your Chicken Vegetable Stir Fry

• Vegetables: Make this dish your own with all of your favorite veggies. Swap in zucchini, mushrooms, bok choy, or spinach for a different flavor and texture profile, or use seasonal vegetables like asparagus or green beans for a fresh twist.
• Protein: Substitute chicken with shrimp, beef, tofu, or tempeh for variety, or combine proteins, such as chicken and shrimp, for added complexity.
• Sauce Variations: Add a splash of hoisin sauce, sriracha, or rice vinegar for a flavor boost. For a creamy texture, mix in a tablespoon of peanut butter or coconut milk.
• Toppings: Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped scallions, or fresh cilantro for added crunch and flavor. Add crushed peanuts or cashews for a nutty topping, or squeeze fresh lime juice over the stir fry for a zesty finish.
• Gluten free: Use gluten free tamari or coconut aminos to make this recipe gluten free.
• Make It Vegan: Replace chicken with plant-based protein like seitan or jackfruit. Use vegan soy sauce alternatives and skip oyster sauce.
• Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes, chili paste, or sliced fresh chilies for heat. Or you can just drizzle some sriracha on top when serving.

How to Thicken Stir Fry Sauce

A watery sauce can sometimes occur when making stir fry at home due to using frozen vegetables or working in too large a batch, such as for a family. Thankfully there's a pretty simple way to thicken up the sauce quickly!

Simply add 1 to 2 tablespoons water to 1 to 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a small bowl. This should form a "slurry," called a cornstarch slurry. Pour the mixture into the hot stir fry and the sauce will thicken in minutes.

This recipe already calls for a cornstarch slurry to thicken. However, if you feel like your stir fry is extra watery, you may want to remove the chicken and vegetables to a separate plate, pot, or serving dishes before using the cornstarch slurry. The sauce will bubble and thicken quickly, and you can pour it back over the prepared stir fry.

Tips for the Best Stir Fry

• Prep Everything First: Have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before starting. Stir frying is a quick process, and you won’t have time to prep as you cook.
• Use High Heat: A high temperature is key to achieving that signature stir-fry texture and flavor. Use a wok or skillet that can handle high heat.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook in batches if needed. Overcrowding can cause ingredients to steam instead of stir fry, leading to watery sauce or too-soft veggies.
• Cut Ingredients Uniformly: Slice vegetables and chicken into even sizes to ensure they cook at the same rate.
• Keep It Crisp: Avoid overcooking vegetables. They should be tender-crisp to maintain their flavor and nutrients.
• Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and high-quality protein make a noticeable difference in taste and texture.

What to Serve with Chicken Stir Fry

Chicken Stir Fry is pretty much its own dinner without many additions. Stir fry is typically served over rice, such as a simple white or brown rice, or noodles, such as rice noodles.

For a weeknight shortcut, you can use prepared rice pouches or frozen rice.

More Veggie-Packed Recipes You'll Love

• Unstuffed Peppers - A hearty, one-pan meal of ground beef, peppers, rice, and tomato sauce. It’s simpler than the classic stuffed version, but just as savory and comforting!
• Cabbage Roll Soup - A one-pot wonder capturing stuffed cabbage roll flavors. With tender cabbage, ground meat, and tangy tomato broth, it’s cozy, comforting, and easy to make!
• Honey Mustard Chicken Salad - Tender chicken on top of a bed of fresh green with other healthy favorites such as sunflower seeds, white beans, and goat cheese, smothered in a creamy, tangy-sweet homemade honey mustard dressing.
• Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas - A quick, Mexican-inspired meal with succulent shrimp, peppers, and onions roasted in savory southwest spices. It's easy, minimal cleanup, and totally delicious!
• Tabouli Salad - An incredibly fresh and flavorful Mediterranean salad made with bulgur wheat, parsley, tomatoes, olive oil, and fresh herbs. It’s light, zesty, and brimming with vibrant flavors, making it a healthy and delicious option.

Chicken Vegetable Stir Fry Video

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in April 2017. It has been updated with new pictures, tips, and video and republicans in January 2025.