There’s something so satisfying about a quick, colorful stir fry that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. This Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe nails that balance — it’s packed with fresh veggies, tender chicken, and a sauce that’s sweet, savory, and just the right amount of tangy. Plus, it’s ready in under 30 minutes!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe has won a permanent spot in my weeknight dinner lineup, and I bet you’ll find it just as easy and delicious. It’s one of those dishes that feels homemade but tastes like you ordered from your favorite takeout place — only better because you control every ingredient.
- Fast and fuss-free: Ready in about 30 minutes without compromising on flavor or texture.
- Vibrant veggies: Colorful bell peppers and snap peas add crunch and nutrition that keep things interesting.
- Customizable sauce: Sweet, savory, with a hint of spice — easy to tweak to your taste buds.
- Meal prep friendly: Great for making ahead, and leftovers reheat beautifully without losing their charm.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe works together to create a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Picking fresh veggies and quality chicken makes all the difference. Here's why I love each part of this dish.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Sliced thin so it cooks quickly and stays juicy without drying out.
- Bell peppers (red and yellow): They bring sweetness and a pop of color, plus a nice crunch when cooked just right.
- Snap peas: Adds a fresh, sweet bite and keeps the dish light and crisp.
- Green onions: Both the white and green parts add layers of onion flavor; whites soften with cooking, greens add a fresh finish.
- Olive or avocado oil: Great for high-heat cooking with a neutral flavor that lets the other ingredients shine.
- Coconut aminos: A naturally gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a touch of sweetness.
- Toasted sesame oil: Adds depth and a toasty aroma that lifts the whole dish.
- Tomato paste: Gives richness and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness.
- Honey: Just enough to create a sweet contrast without overpowering; you can adjust to taste.
- Garlic and fresh ginger: These aromatics are the heart of stir fry flavor, creating a warm, inviting base.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: A little heat that wakes up your taste buds without being too spicy.
- Salt and black pepper: Simple seasoning to make everything else shine.
Make It Your Way
I love sharing this recipe because it’s so flexible. You can easily swap veggies depending on what’s fresh or what you have on hand. Don’t hesitate to make it your own by swapping, tweaking, or adding extra flavors to fit your style.
- Variation: I sometimes swap snap peas for broccoli or add sliced mushrooms — it adds a nice earthiness that’s perfect for cooler nights.
- Dietary tweaks: You can make it paleo or Whole30-friendly by skipping the honey or using a compliant sweetener.
- Heat level: Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes or toss in some fresh chili if you want more kick.
- Protein swaps: Try shrimp or tofu if you want to mix things up or cater to different preferences at the table.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe
Step 1: Brown the chicken to lock in juiciness
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers — that’s the cue it’s hot enough. Add the thinly sliced chicken strips, seasoning them with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Don’t stir too soon; let one side brown nicely, about 5-6 minutes, then flip and finish cooking. Cooking the chicken well at this stage seals in juices and keeps it tender.
Step 2: Sauté your vibrant veggies just right
Remove the cooked chicken to a plate, then add the remaining oil to your skillet. Toss in the sliced bell peppers, snap peas, and the white parts of the green onions. Stir frequently to prevent burning but keep an eye — you want those veggies to be tender-but-crisp, around 4-5 minutes. This keeps that fresh snap and bright flavors that make the dish pop.
Step 3: Whisk together a sauce that sings
While the veggies are cooking, whisk up the sauce in a small bowl: coconut aminos, toasted sesame oil, tomato paste, honey, minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, red pepper flakes, and a little black pepper. Each component brings its own magic — the tomato paste adds body, the honey balances acidity, and the ginger and garlic make it savory and aromatic.
Step 4: Bring it all together and let it thicken
Return the chicken to the skillet with the veggies, pour the sauce on top, and toss everything to coat evenly. Turn the heat up just until the sauce bubbles, then lower to a simmer. Keep stirring as it thickens slightly — about 2 minutes. This step is where that sticky, glossy coating forms, making every bite absolutely crave-worthy.
Top Tip
After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned that a few small tricks make a big difference in taste and texture. Here’s what will help you nail it every time.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Cooking the chicken in batches keeps it from steaming and ensures it browns beautifully.
- Slice veggies uniformly: This helps everything cook evenly so you don’t end up with some mushy and some crunchy pieces.
- Use fresh ginger: It adds a brightness you just don’t get from ground ginger — worth the extra effort to grate fresh.
- Let the sauce simmer: Don’t skip this! It transforms the liquid into a silky glaze that clings perfectly to chicken and veggies.
How to Serve Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe
Garnishes
For me, the green tops of the sliced green onions bring a fresh pop of color and mild onion flavor, and a sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds adds a little crunch and nuttiness — they’re the perfect finishing touches that make the dish shine at the table.
Side Dishes
I often serve this stir fry over fluffy jasmine rice because it soaks up all that delicious sauce beautifully. Sometimes I mix in some cauliflower rice if I want a lower-carb meal. Steamed rice noodles or soba noodles also work wonderfully if you want a change from rice.
Creative Ways to Present
For casual dinners, a big family-style serving platter works great — everyone can dig in. But for a fun touch at a dinner party, I’ve served this stir fry in individual colorful bowls with a side of lime wedges and extra chili flakes for guests to customize. You can even let guests add crunchy crushed peanuts for extra texture.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I like to let the stir fry cool completely before sealing it up to help keep the veggies vibrant and prevent them from turning soggy.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully, which is huge for busy weeks. Portion it out into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to keep the sauce from drying out. This helps keep the chicken tender and veggies crisp instead of turning mushy like microwave reheating often does.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are great if you prefer a juicier, more flavorful cut. Just slice them thinly and adjust cooking time slightly, as thighs can take a bit longer to cook through.
If you don’t have coconut aminos, low-sodium soy sauce or tamari works well as a substitute. Keep in mind soy sauce is saltier, so you may want to reduce the added salt in the recipe accordingly.
To keep veggies crisp, cook them quickly over medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding the pan. Adding them in stages according to their cooking times also helps. Once cooked, toss them right away with the sauce and chicken to prevent overcooking.
Definitely! Swap the chicken for firm tofu or tempeh, and make sure to use a vegan sweetener like maple syrup instead of honey. The sauce and veggies stay the same, making this recipe super adaptable.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe really feels like a little kitchen victory — you get busy weeknight ease, fresh flavors, and something nourishing that everyone enjoys. It’s the kind of recipe I recommend to friends whenever they want quick, tasty dinners without the fuss. Give it a try and see how it becomes your go-to, too!
Print
Easy Chicken Stir Fry with Veggies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This vibrant Chicken Stir Fry recipe is a quick and healthy meal packed with tender chicken, crisp bell peppers, snap peas, and a savory-sweet sauce made from coconut aminos and sesame oil. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it’s naturally gluten-free, high in protein, and easy to customize for meal prep or family meals.
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
Vegetables
- 2 bell peppers (1 red and 1 yellow), sliced into thin strips
- 1 cup snap peas or snow peas
- 3 green onions, ends trimmed and sliced (white and green parts separated)
Sauce
- ½ cup coconut aminos
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon pure honey
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Seasonings & Oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil, divided
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnish
- Cooked rice
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken strips, season with salt and pepper, and cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until lightly browned on one side. Stir and flip the chicken to cook through, then transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the sliced bell peppers, snap peas, and white parts of the green onions. Cook for 4-5 minutes over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, toasted sesame oil, tomato paste, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper until well combined. Set aside.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture and toss to coat everything evenly. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Serve: Serve the stir fry over cooked rice if desired, garnished with the green tops of the sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for added crunch and flavor.
Notes
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free thanks to the use of coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
- For a lower-sugar option, reduce the honey amount or substitute with a sugar-free sweetener.
- Use avocado oil as a substitute for olive oil for a higher smoke point.
- Frozen snap peas can be used if fresh are unavailable; just thaw before cooking.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 4 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Customize vegetables by adding carrots, broccoli, or mushrooms according to preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ of the stir fry
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 779 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
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