This Garlic Chicken Stir Fry —This is a colourful and healthy dinner is loaded with tender chicken, vibrant vegetables and a flavor-packed savory garlic sauce. With a perfect combination of crunchy veggies, tender chicken, and zesty glaze, it’s a great option for busy weeknights. Serve over rice or noodles for a filling, protein-and-fiber-packed dish that the entire family will enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Quick and Easy: This stir fry is in the woks and on the plates in under 30 minutes, a boon for busy weeknights.
Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with lean chicken and colorful vegetables, it’s a fitness-forward, wholesome meal.
Flavorful Sauce: The garlicky, savory sauce binds it all together, so everything’s irresistible in every bite.
Customizable: Swap in any of your favorite vegetables, or the seasonings for your taste.
Kid-Friendly: This very fun, very hearty dish is a treat for kids and adults alike.
Key Ingredients
Chicken Breast: The main ingredient for a source of lean, tender protein. I cube the chicken so that it cooks evenly and cooks more quickly.
Broccoli Florets: A crunchy nutrient-rich vegetable to give you some delicious green color, and a perfect complement to the garlicky sauce.
Yellow Bell Pepper: A lovely, sweet, slightly tangy flavor and a brightening presence of color.
Mushrooms: Earthy and meaty, mushrooms add depth of flavor and texture to the stir-fry.
Garlic: Minced garlic is the heart of the sauce, contributing a bold aromatic punch that makes this dish.
Soy Sauce — the base of the sauce, soy sauce adds salty, umami goodness that brings all of the ingredients together.
Sesame Oil: A touch of sesame oil adds its characteristic nutty aroma and deep flavor to the stir-fry.
Chicken Broth: The liquid part of the sauce that gives it body and savory depth.
Cornstarch: To thicken the sauce, making sure it sticks to the chicken and vegetables just right.
All quantities and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom
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Instructions:
Prepare the Vegetables and Chicken
Heat the Olive Oil:
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Let the pan heat up so you can sear the veg.
Cook the Vegetables:
Into the skillet go the broccoli florets, sliced mushrooms and yellow bell pepper.
Fry for 5-6 minutes, until vegetables are tender but still crisp.
Lift the vegetables from the skillet and cover to keep warm, and set aside.
Cook the Chicken:
Add the remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil to the empty skillet.
Get pan fried chicken breast cubes. Cook until done, about 5-7 minutes, tossing occasionally. No longer pink in the center for the chicken.
Add salt and pepper to taste. Stirring often for even cooking and slight browning for more flavor.
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 is wholly dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
Combining and Cooking
Reassemble Chicken and Vegetables:
Add the cooked vegetables back to the skillet with the chicken.
Mix everything together to incorporate.
Add the Garlic:
Add minced garlic, and stir for 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant. Avoid burning the garlic.
Pour the Sauce:
Drizzle the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the skillet.
Mix well so that all the ingredients are coated.
Simmer for another 2-3 minutes to thicken the sauce and heat everything through.
Serve
Serve Hot:
Serve the Garlic Chicken Stir Fry over white or brown rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
Enjoy your meal!
Serving Suggestions:
This Garlic Chicken Stir Fry has thousands of options! Here are some pairing suggestions to complete your meal:
Rice: It is perfect over steamed white or brown rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Noodles: Serve with stir-fried noodles or rice noodles for a more substantial meal.
Cauliflower Rice: To make this lower carb, serve it over cauliflower rice.
Garnishes: Top it with garnishes like toasted sesame seeds or sliced green onions for added flavor and presentation.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
Refrigerate: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container then refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheat: Heat in a skillet on medium heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth as needed to loosen sauce. Or microwave at 40 percent power in 30-second intervals, stirring between, until heated through.
Freeze: Chilled the stir fry completely, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Refrigerate overnight to thaw before reheating.
Make-Ahead Tip: The chicken and vegetables can be chopped in advance, and the sauce can be made in a jar. This can reduce your prep time by 50 percent when it’s time to cook.
Variations to Try:
Vegetarian Option: Swap the chicken for tofu or tempeh, and use vegetable broth instead.
A Spicy Kick: Stir in red pepper flakes, sriracha, or sliced fresh chili peppers for a hot spin.
More Veggies: Snaps peas, carrots, zucchini or baby corn add extra colour and nutrition.
Low-Sodium: use low-sodium soy sauce and chicken broth to manage the salt.
Ginger-Garlic Stir Fry: When you add the garlic, also add 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger for a punchy flavor boost.
Conclusion:
This Garlic Chicken Stir Fry is a quick, yet flavorful, healthy meal that you’ll love to make over and over again. It’s a crowd-pleaser, with its tender chicken, colorful vegetables and savory sauce, that dutifully addresses any craving for a healthful home-cooked meal. Whether cooking for the family, or meal-prepping for the week ahead, this stir fry is a go-to recipe you can count on. 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!