Chicken with Mixed Vegetables Stir Fry: A Quick, Healthy & Flavorful Weeknight Dinner
If you’ve ever craved a healthy, colorful dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes, this Chicken with Mixed Vegetables Stir Fry is the answer. Tender chicken breast, crisp vegetables, and a perfectly balanced savory sauce — this dish is simple, satisfying, and better than takeout!
With just a few pantry staples, you can make this stir fry any night of the week. It’s one of those dishes that proves healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring or complicated. Every bite bursts with freshness, crunch, and umami — and it’s all cooked in one pan!
🍗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s a reason this dish is a family favorite:
- Quick to make: Ready in less than 30 minutes from prep to plate.
- Full of flavor: The homemade stir fry sauce is savory, garlicky, and just the right amount of sweet.
- Packed with veggies: A rainbow of vegetables adds crunch, color, and nutrients.
- One-pan meal: Easy to cook and even easier to clean up.
- Customizable: Use whatever veggies or protein you have on hand.
Perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or anytime you want something tasty and wholesome fast.
🥕 Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need for this quick and healthy Chicken with Mixed Vegetables Stir Fry:
For the Stir Fry:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup snow peas or snap peas
- 1 medium carrot, sliced thinly
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)
- 3 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ cup water or chicken broth
🔪 Instructions
1. Prep the Ingredients
Slice the chicken into thin, bite-sized strips for even cooking. Wash and chop all your vegetables before you start — once the stir fry begins, things move quickly!
Whisk together all sauce ingredients in a small bowl until smooth: soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and water. Set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and season lightly with salt and pepper. Stir-fry for 4–5 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
3. Sauté the Vegetables
In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add garlic (and ginger, if using) and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then toss in the carrots and broccoli first — these take the longest to cook. Stir-fry for 2 minutes before adding the bell pepper and snap peas.
Cook another 3–4 minutes until the vegetables are crisp-tender, not mushy.
4. Combine and Add Sauce
Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Give the sauce a quick stir (the cornstarch may have settled) and pour it in.
Stir-fry everything together for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the chicken and vegetables.
5. Serve Hot
Remove from heat and garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds. Serve immediately over steamed rice, brown rice, or noodles.
Enjoy the perfect balance of tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a glossy, savory-sweet sauce.
Chicken with Mixed Vegetables Stir Fry
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Slice chicken and vegetables. Whisk sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil in wok over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add remaining oil, garlic, and ginger. Stir-fry until fragrant.
- Add carrots and broccoli, cook 2 minutes. Add bell pepper and snap peas; stir-fry until crisp-tender.
- Return chicken to pan, pour in sauce, and toss everything to coat. Cook until sauce thickens.
- Garnish with green onions and serve hot over rice or noodles.
Notes
🧂 Tips for the Best Chicken Stir Fry
1. Slice Chicken Thinly:
Thin slices cook quickly and stay tender. If needed, freeze the chicken for 20 minutes before slicing — it makes cutting easier.
2. High Heat = Better Flavor:
Cooking over high heat creates that classic “stir-fry” char and keeps vegetables crisp.
3. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan:
If needed, cook the chicken in batches so it browns instead of steaming.
4. Use Cold Sauce:
Always whisk your sauce before adding it — the cornstarch needs to be evenly distributed to thicken properly.
5. Customize Freely:
This recipe works with beef, shrimp, or tofu just as well. It’s a great base for endless variations!
🌈 Variations to Try
1. Spicy Chicken Stir Fry
Add 1 teaspoon of chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
2. Cashew Chicken Stir Fry
Add ½ cup roasted cashews in the last minute of cooking for crunch and richness.
3. Teriyaki Version
Replace the sauce with teriyaki sauce for a sweeter, stickier finish.
4. Keto or Low-Carb Option
Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of regular rice.
5. Vegetarian Option
Use tofu or tempeh in place of chicken and vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair this stir fry with:
- Steamed jasmine rice or brown rice
- Fried rice for a heartier meal
- Noodles (lo mein, rice noodles, or ramen)
- A side of miso soup or egg drop soup
For a light meal, enjoy it on its own — it’s flavorful enough to shine solo!
🧊 Meal Prep & Storage
To Store:
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
To Freeze:
Let the stir fry cool completely before freezing. Store in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months.
To Reheat:
Warm on the stove over medium heat or microwave for 1–2 minutes, adding a splash of water to loosen the sauce.
🥢 Fun Fact: The Origins of Stir Fry
Stir-frying (or “chao” in Mandarin) originated in China over 1,500 years ago. It was a practical cooking method that used high heat and minimal oil to preserve flavor and nutrients. Today, it’s a cornerstone of Asian cuisine and loved worldwide for its versatility and speed.
The modern stir fry embodies that same spirit — quick, flavorful, and adaptable to whatever ingredients you have on hand.
🧾 Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 290
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Sugar: 7g
🌟 Final Thoughts
This Chicken with Mixed Vegetables Stir Fry is everything a homemade dinner should be: easy, delicious, and nourishing. It’s packed with flavor, full of texture, and comes together faster than ordering takeout.
Once you master this recipe, you’ll find yourself making it again and again — experimenting with different vegetables, sauces, and proteins. Whether it’s a busy weeknight or a weekend craving for something fresh and flavorful, this stir fry delivers every single time.
Healthy, simple, and undeniably satisfying — the perfect one-pan meal!
