Experience the ultimate weeknight culinary delight with this Asian-inspired Chicken, Broccoli, and Bell Pepper Stir Fry! Bursting with vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients, this dish is designed to bring joy to your family’s dinner table. Quick to prepare and incredibly satisfying, it’s the perfect solution for busy evenings when you crave something both nutritious and delicious.
This Easy Chicken Stir Fry recipe stands out for its remarkable adaptability and speed. Whether you’re working with what’s already in your fridge or planning a quick trip to the grocery store, this meal can be customized to your preference and be ready to serve in approximately 30 minutes. Imagine a wholesome, flavorful dinner on the table in less time than it takes to order takeout – that’s the magic of this versatile stir fry!
Why This Chicken, Broccoli, and Bell Pepper Stir Fry is a Must-Try
- Unbeatable Speed: From start to finish, this entire meal comes together in about 30 minutes. While the chicken marinates, you’ll swiftly chop your garlic, ginger, and colorful vegetables, ensuring a seamless cooking process that fits perfectly into any busy schedule.
- Layers of Flavor: The star of this dish is its deeply satisfying stir-fry sauce. Crafted with a harmonious blend of fresh garlic, aromatic ginger, rich sesame oil, savory soy sauce, and a hint of dry sherry, the sauce elevates every bite. These easily accessible ingredients create a gourmet taste that will impress without requiring a trip to a specialty store.
- Incredible Versatility: Once you master the fundamental technique of this chicken stir fry, you unlock endless possibilities. Feel free to swap chicken for tender beef, succulent pork, shrimp, or even tofu. Experiment with your favorite seasonal vegetables – from snow peas and carrots to mushrooms and snap peas – to create a unique dish every time. This recipe is a fantastic foundation for culinary creativity.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with lean protein from the chicken and a generous serving of fresh, crisp vegetables, this stir fry offers a balanced and wholesome meal. The stir-frying method uses minimal oil, retaining the nutrients and natural flavors of the produce, making it an excellent choice for a health-conscious lifestyle.
- Pantry-Friendly: This recipe leverages common pantry staples and versatile fresh produce. It’s often the perfect solution when you have leftover vegetables and need a quick, no-fuss meal, transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary.
There are days when culinary inspiration strikes, even with humble ingredients. I recently found myself with some boneless chicken in the freezer, a vibrant bunch of broccoli, and a single red bell pepper that needed using up, complemented by a well-stocked pantry of Asian-inspired marinades. Within moments, this chicken, broccoli, and bell pepper stir fry was conceptualized and on the table in record time, proving to be the ideal hearty and flavorful weekday supper.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Stir Fry
Creating a truly outstanding stir fry begins with selecting the right ingredients. This recipe utilizes a blend of pantry staples and fresh produce to deliver an authentic and robust flavor profile. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:
- Kitchen Staples: You’ll need granulated Sugar for a touch of sweetness that balances the savory notes, fresh Garlic for its pungent aroma, versatile Soy Sauce (preferably low-sodium) for umami depth, Cornstarch as a thickening agent for a glossy sauce, a high-heat stable Vegetable Oil (like canola or peanut oil) for frying, and a pinch of Salt to enhance all the flavors.
- Protein Powerhouse – Boneless Skinless Chicken: We use lean chicken breasts, sliced thinly or cubed, for quick cooking and excellent flavor absorption. This recipe is incredibly flexible; feel free to substitute with beef sirloin, pork tenderloin, succulent shrimp, or even firm tofu for a vegetarian option. Ensure your protein is cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Vibrant Produce: Freshness is key in stir-frying! You’ll need crisp Scallions (whites for marinade, greens for garnish), pungent fresh Ginger (peeled and minced) for its distinctive zest, a beautiful Red Bell Pepper cut into strips for sweetness and color, and tender Broccoli Florets. Don’t hesitate to add other vegetables like sliced carrots, snap peas, or mushrooms if you have them on hand.
- Flavor Enhancers:
- Dry Sherry: This is a wonderful secret ingredient that acts as a flavor enhancer, much like salt, adding a complex, nutty depth to the sauce. Most of the alcohol will evaporate during cooking, leaving behind only its rich essence.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: Found in the Asian foods aisle of most grocery stores, this oil is a powerhouse of flavor. Used sparingly at the end of cooking, it imparts an unmistakable nutty aroma that is quintessential to Asian cuisine.
- Oyster Sauce: Another gem from the Asian foods section, oyster sauce adds a savory, slightly sweet, and umami-rich complexity that is hard to replicate. It contributes to the authentic taste and glossy texture of the stir-fry sauce.
- Red Chili Flakes/Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: For those who enjoy a little heat, these add a delightful kick. Adjust the quantity to perfectly match your palate’s preference for spice.
- Serving Suggestion: Steamed Rice: A classic accompaniment, fluffy steamed white or brown rice is essential for soaking up every drop of the flavorful sauce.
Crafting Your Delicious Chicken Stir Fry: A Step-by-Step Guide
Achieving a restaurant-quality stir fry at home is simpler than you might think, especially with a clear plan and the right techniques. The key is “mise en place” – having all your ingredients prepped and ready before you start cooking. Let’s walk through the process:
- Marinate the Chicken: Begin by thinly slicing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken with the white parts of your scallions (sliced on an angle), about half of your minced garlic and ginger, soy sauce, sugar, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of salt, dry sherry, and toasted sesame oil. Toss everything together until the chicken is well coated. Let it marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients. This step is crucial for tenderizing the chicken and infusing it with flavor.
- Prepare the Cornstarch Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with about ⅓ cup of water until smooth. This mixture, known as a slurry, will be added later to thicken the stir-fry sauce, giving it a beautiful, glossy consistency.
- Heat the Wok or Skillet: Place a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat. Allow it to get very hot before adding any oil. High heat is essential for stir-frying as it quickly sears the ingredients, locking in juices and creating that desirable crisp-tender texture.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the preheated pan. Once shimmering, add the red bell pepper strips, broccoli florets, the remaining minced garlic and ginger, and 2 tablespoons of water. Season with ¼ teaspoon of salt and a pinch of pepper. Stir-fry constantly until the broccoli turns a vibrant green and is tender-crisp, easily pierced with a knife but still retaining a slight bite. Immediately transfer the cooked vegetables to a clean plate to prevent overcooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Reheat the skillet over high heat again. Add 2 more tablespoons of vegetable oil. Once hot, add the marinated chicken and, if using, the red chili flakes. Stir-fry for about 3 minutes, or until the chicken loses its raw pink color and develops a light golden-brown sear. Avoid overcrowding the pan; if necessary, cook the chicken in two batches to ensure it browns rather than steams.
- Combine and Sauce: Return the cooked vegetables to the pan with the chicken. Add the oyster sauce and toss everything together to heat through and coat the ingredients evenly.
- Thicken the Sauce: Give your prepared cornstarch slurry a quick whisk again (as cornstarch can settle) and stir it into the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil while stirring constantly. The sauce will rapidly thicken and become glossy, beautifully coating the chicken and vegetables. If the sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it out with a little extra water, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste the stir fry and adjust seasonings as needed. Add more salt or pepper if desired. Serve immediately over a bed of fluffy steamed rice, allowing the rice to absorb all the delicious, savory sauce. Garnish with the green parts of the scallions for a fresh finish.
Master Your Stir Fry: Expert Cooking Tips
Stir-frying is an art form that, once mastered, opens up a world of culinary possibilities. Following these expert tips will help you achieve consistently delicious results, mimicking the flavors and textures of your favorite Asian restaurants:
- Choose the Right Pan: A wok is ideal due to its large, sloped surface area and ability to distribute heat evenly. However, a large nonstick skillet or any pan with a wide cooking surface will work wonderfully. The key is to have enough space for ingredients to move freely and cook rapidly without steaming.
- High Heat is Non-Negotiable: Stir-frying relies on intense, high heat. This quickly sears the exterior of ingredients, locking in moisture and flavor, while keeping vegetables crisp-tender. Ensure your pan is very hot before adding oil, and maintain high heat throughout the cooking process.
- Select the Correct Oil: Use an oil with a high smoke point that can withstand high temperatures without burning. Peanut oil, canola oil, and grapeseed oil are excellent choices. Avoid olive oil, as its low smoke point makes it unsuitable for stir-frying.
- The Power of Marination: Always marinate your meat or protein for at least 15-30 minutes before stir-frying. This not only infuses the protein with flavor but also tenderizes it, ensuring a juicy and succulent outcome.
- Uniform Cutting is Key: Cut all your vegetables and protein into similar, bite-sized pieces. This ensures that everything cooks evenly and at roughly the same rate, preventing some ingredients from being overcooked while others remain raw.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: This is one of the most common stir-fry mistakes. Adding too many ingredients at once will lower the pan’s temperature, causing the food to steam rather than stir-fry. Cook in batches if necessary, especially with protein or large quantities of vegetables, to maintain high heat and achieve proper searing.
- Cook in Order of Hardness: When combining vegetables, start with the hardest ones that require more cooking time (like carrots or broccoli stems), then add medium-hard vegetables (like bell peppers or broccoli florets), and finally softer, quicker-cooking items (like mushrooms, spinach, or Napa cabbage, which should be added last). This sequential addition ensures all vegetables are perfectly cooked.
- Stir, Stir, Stir: The name “stir fry” is literal! Keep your ingredients moving constantly in the pan. This promotes even cooking, prevents burning, and ensures every piece gets exposed to the high heat.
- Prepare Everything in Advance (Mise en Place): Before you even turn on the stove, have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go. Stir-frying is a very fast process, and there’s no time to stop and chop once you start. This organized approach guarantees a stress-free cooking experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Stir Fry
Get all your stir-fry questions answered here, helping you become a master of this quick and flavorful cooking method.
A stir fry is a traditional Asian cooking technique involving quickly frying small pieces of food in a large pan or wok over very high heat while constantly stirring. This method originated in China and is renowned for producing dishes with crisp, vibrant vegetables, perfectly cooked proteins, minimal fat, and an intensely flavorful sauce. The high heat and rapid cooking preserve the nutrients and textures of the ingredients, making it a healthy and efficient way to prepare meals.
A well-balanced stir fry typically consists of three primary components that work together to create a harmonious dish:
- Protein Source: This forms the base of your meal and can include boneless chicken, tender beef, lean pork, shrimp, or plant-based options like tofu or tempeh. The protein is usually marinated for flavor and tenderness.
- Vegetables and Aromatics: This diverse component adds color, texture, and essential nutrients. Common choices include broccoli, bell peppers, carrots, snow peas, mushrooms, and leafy greens. Aromatics like fresh garlic, ginger, and scallions are crucial for building the foundational flavor profile.
- Flavorful Sauce: The sauce brings all the elements together. It’s typically a blend of savory (soy sauce, oyster sauce), sweet (sugar, honey), acidic (vinegar, sherry), and sometimes spicy (chili flakes, sriracha) ingredients, often thickened with cornstarch for a glossy finish.
The sequence of adding ingredients is vital for proper cooking and optimal texture. Generally, the order is as follows:
- Aromatics: Begin by quickly sautéing garlic, ginger, or chili flakes in hot oil to infuse the oil with flavor. Sometimes these are removed after a quick sauté to prevent burning, then added back in later.
- Hardest Vegetables: Add vegetables that require the longest cooking time first, such as carrots, broccoli stems, or firm root vegetables. Stir-fry them for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
- Medium Vegetables: Next, add vegetables that cook relatively quickly, like bell peppers, broccoli florets, or snap peas.
- Softer Vegetables: Leafy greens (spinach, bok choy, Napa cabbage) and mushrooms should be added towards the end, as they wilt quickly.
- Protein: Remove the cooked vegetables from the pan, add more oil if needed, and then quickly stir-fry the marinated protein until it’s cooked through and lightly browned.
- Combine and Sauce: Return all cooked vegetables to the pan with the protein. Finally, pour in the prepared stir-fry sauce, stirring to coat everything.
- Thicken: If using a cornstarch slurry, add it at the very end and stir until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
A cornstarch slurry is a simple mixture of cornstarch and a cold liquid (usually water or broth) that is used to thicken sauces in stir-fries and other dishes. Cornstarch is a fine powder, and if added directly to a hot sauce, it will clump. Whisking it with cold water first creates a smooth, liquid suspension (the “slurry”) that can be easily incorporated into the hot pan. When this mixture is brought to a boil, the cornstarch granules swell and burst, causing the sauce to thicken beautifully and achieve a desirable glossy finish.
To elevate the flavor of your stir fry, focus on a balance of savory, sweet, salty, and umami notes:
- Aromatics: Don’t skimp on fresh garlic, ginger, and scallions. They form the aromatic backbone of most Asian dishes.
- Umami-rich Sauces: Incorporate ingredients like oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, fermented black beans, or a dash of fish sauce. These add incredible depth.
- Toasted Sesame Oil: A drizzle at the very end provides a nutty, fragrant finish.
- Dry Sherry or Rice Wine: Alcohol acts as a flavor enhancer, much like salt, adding complexity as it cooks off.
- Spice: A touch of red chili flakes, sriracha, or a few drops of chili oil can add a vibrant kick.
- Fresh Herbs/Garnishes: A sprinkle of fresh cilantro, sesame seeds, or extra scallions before serving adds freshness and visual appeal.
The most traditional and popular accompaniment for stir fry is steamed rice, either white or brown. Its neutral flavor and fluffy texture make it perfect for soaking up the rich, savory sauce. However, you can also explore other delicious options:
- Noodles: Rice noodles, egg noodles, or even ramen noodles can be tossed directly into the stir fry or served alongside.
- Other Grains: Quinoa, couscous, farro, or even cauliflower rice make excellent, healthy alternatives.
- Lettuce Wraps: For a low-carb option, serve the stir fry in crisp lettuce cups.
- Simple Salad: A light, refreshing side salad with a ginger-sesame dressing can complement the richness of the stir fry.
Explore More Flavorful Weeknight Meals
- Shrimp Curry from Homemade in the Kitchen
- Easy Salsa Chicken
- Tuscan Sausage Soup
- Marinated Lamb Chops
- Chicken Stir Fry with Oyster Sauce
- Beef Broccoli Stir Fry
- Plus More of the Best Entree Recipes
Stay connected with us across social media platforms! Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. We’d love to see your creations, so don’t forget to tag us when you try one of our recipes! If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a 5-star rating in the recipe card below – your feedback helps us grow!
Chicken, Broccoli and Bell Pepper Stir Fry
15 minutes
15 minutes
30 minutes
4 servings
An easy weeknight stir fry the whole family will love!
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, in thin slices or cubes
- 3 scallions (whites only) sliced on an angle
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 -inch piece of peeled fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon of cornstarch
- 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon dry sherry
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- About ⅓ cup of water
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 3-4 cups small broccoli florets
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced or cut in half, optional
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, optional
- 1-2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- Steamed rice, to serve
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with the scallion whites, about half the garlic and ginger, the soy sauce, sugar, 1 teaspoon of the cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of the salt, the sherry, and the sesame oil. Marinate at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Mix the remaining cornstarch with ⅓ cup water.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over high heat.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the oil and heat.
- Add the bell pepper, broccoli florets, and the remaining garlic, ginger, 2 tablespoons of water, and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper.
- Stir-fry until the broccoli is bright green but is tender enough to be pierced easily with a knife. Transfer to a plate.
- Reheat the skillet again, and then add 2 more tablespoons of oil.
- Add the chicken and chili flakes, if using. Stir-fry until the chicken loses its raw color and gets a little brown, about 3 minutes.
- Add the oyster sauce, return the broccoli to the pan, and toss to heat through.
- Stir in the reserved cornstarch mixture and bring to a boil to thicken.
- Add more water if need to thin the sauce if desired.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed.
- Serve with rice.
Notes
Inspired from the Food Network
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- OXO Measuring Beakers
- Black Spatula
- Le Creuset 10-inch Skillet
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 572Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 96mgSodium: 1427mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 16gSugar: 14gProtein: 48g
HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest