This Garlic Chicken Stir Fry is a quick, colorful, and healthy dinner that combines tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a savory garlic sauce. The perfect balance of crispy veggies, juicy chicken, and a flavorful glaze makes it ideal for busy weeknights. Serve over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal packed with protein, fiber, and taste that the whole family will love!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Quick and Easy: This stir fry comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Healthy and Nutritious: Loaded with lean chicken and vibrant vegetables, it’s a balanced, wholesome meal.
Flavorful Sauce: The garlicky, savory sauce ties everything together, making every bite irresistible.
Customizable: Easily swap in your favorite vegetables or adjust the seasonings to suit your taste.
Family-Friendly: Both kids and adults will love this flavorful, satisfying dish.
Key Ingredients
Chicken Breast: The star of the dish, providing lean, tender protein. Cutting the chicken into cubes ensures even cooking and quicker preparation.
Broccoli Florets: A crunchy, nutrient-rich vegetable that adds vibrant green color and pairs wonderfully with the garlicky sauce.
Yellow Bell Pepper: Adds a sweet, slightly tangy flavor while brightening the dish with its sunny hue.
Mushrooms: Earthy and meaty, mushrooms enhance the stir-fry’s depth of flavor and texture.
Garlic: Minced garlic is the heart of the sauce, lending a bold, aromatic kick that defines this dish.
Soy Sauce: The base of the sauce, soy sauce provides salty, umami goodness that ties all the ingredients together.
Sesame Oil: A drizzle of sesame oil infuses the stir-fry with its signature nutty aroma and rich flavor.
Chicken Broth: The liquid component of the sauce, giving it body and a savory depth.
Cornstarch: Used to thicken the sauce, ensuring it clings perfectly to the chicken and vegetables.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
Would you like to save this?
Instructions:
1. Preparing the Vegetables and Chicken
Heat the Olive Oil:
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Ensure the pan is hot to sear the vegetables properly.
Cook the Vegetables:
Add broccoli florets, sliced mushrooms, and yellow bell pepper to the skillet.
Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
Remove the vegetables from the skillet, cover to keep warm, and set aside.
Cook the Chicken:
Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the empty skillet.
Add cubed chicken breast to the pan. Stir-fry until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. The chicken should no longer be pink in the center.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir frequently for even cooking and slight browning for extra flavor.
2. Preparing the Sauce
Mix the Sauce Ingredients:
In a bowl, combine:
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 ½ teaspoons sugar
¾ cup chicken broth
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons cornstarch.
Whisk until the cornstarch dissolves completely and the mixture is smooth.
3. Combining and Cooking
Recombine Chicken and Vegetables:
Return the cooked vegetables to the skillet with the chicken.
Stir everything together to combine.
Add the Garlic:
Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant. Avoid burning the garlic.
Pour the Sauce:
Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the skillet.
Stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything is heated through.
4. Serve
Serve Hot:
Serve the Garlic Chicken Stir Fry over a bed of white or brown rice to soak up the savory sauce.
Enjoy your meal!
Serving Suggestions:
This Garlic Chicken Stir Fry is wonderfully versatile. Here are some pairing ideas to round out your meal:
Rice: Serve over steamed white or brown rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Noodles: Pair with stir-fried noodles or rice noodles for a heartier option.
Cauliflower Rice: For a low-carb twist, try serving over cauliflower rice.
Garnishes: Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds or chopped green onions for extra flavor and presentation.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth if needed to loosen the sauce. Alternatively, microwave in short intervals, stirring between each to ensure even heating.
Freeze: Cool the stir fry completely, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make-Ahead Tip: Chop the chicken and vegetables ahead of time, and prepare the sauce in a jar. This can cut your prep time in half when you’re ready to cook.
Variations to Try:
Vegetarian Version: Replace chicken with tofu or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Spicy Kick: Add red pepper flakes, sriracha, or sliced fresh chili peppers for a spicy twist.
Extra Veggies: Include snap peas, carrots, zucchini, or baby corn for more color and nutrition.
Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium soy sauce and chicken broth to control the salt content.
Ginger-Garlic Stir Fry: Add 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger to the garlic for a zesty flavor boost.
Conclusion:
This Garlic Chicken Stir Fry is a fast, flavorful, and wholesome dish that you’ll love making again and again. With its tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and savory sauce, it’s a crowd-pleaser that satisfies any craving for a healthy, homemade meal. Whether you’re cooking for the family or meal-prepping for the week, this stir fry is a reliable go-to recipe. Enjoy every bite!
Garlic Chicken Stir Fry: A Healthy and Flavorful Meal in Minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into cubes
- 1 tbsp olive oil plus 1 tsp, divided
- 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 2-3 cups broccoli florets
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add broccoli florets, sliced mushrooms, and yellow bell pepper. Stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until tender but crisp. Remove vegetables, cover to keep warm, and set aside. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add cubed chicken breast, season with salt and pepper, and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until cooked through and slightly browned. Stir frequently for even cooking.
- In a bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, 3/4 cup chicken broth, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch until smooth.
- Return the cooked vegetables to the skillet with the chicken. Stir everything to combine. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Serve the Garlic Chicken Stir Fry hot over a bed of white or brown rice. Enjoy your meal!