1-First Step: Prepare the Sauce Start by whisking 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water until it’s smooth and lump-free. Then, stir in 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth, 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes if you want some heat. This step sets the stage for a flavorful stir fry, and for vegan adaptations, swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth to keep it plant-based.

2-Second Step: Season and Cook the Chicken Next, season 1 pound cubed boneless, skinless chicken breast with salt and pepper to taste. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the chicken and cook for about 4-6 minutes until it’s no longer pink inside. For those preferring gluten-free options, ensure your soy sauce in the sauce is tamari; remove the chicken once done to avoid overcooking, which helps keep it tender.

3-Third Step: Cook the Vegetables Now, add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Toss in 2 cups broccoli florets, 1/2 yellow bell pepper cut into pieces, 1/2 red bell pepper cut into pieces, and 1/2 cup sliced baby carrots. Stir-fry these for 3-4 minutes over medium-high heat until they’re crisp-tender, which means they’re still vibrant and full of nutrients. If you’re aiming for a low-calorie version, increase the veggies and reduce oil slightly for a lighter quick stir fry.

4-Fourth Step: Add Aromatics Once the veggies are nearly ready, mix in 2 teaspoons minced ginger and 2 cloves minced garlic, cooking for about 1 minute until they’re fragrant. This step amps up the flavor in your chicken stir fry, and you can adjust by using fresh herbs if you’re customizing for dietary needs, like skipping garlic for a milder taste.

5-Fifth Step: Combine and Simmer Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the veggies. Pour the prepared sauce over everything and stir to mix it all up. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly, which helps coat everything nicely in your flavorful stir fry. For variations, add extra veggies here if you’re feeding a crowd, making it versatile for different preferences.

6-Final Step: Serve and Enjoy Take the skillet off the heat and serve your chicken stir fry right away, perhaps over rice or chow mein for a complete meal. This final touch ensures the dish stays hot and fresh, and you can tweak portions for meal prep or adapt it for gluten-free by checking all components. It’s that easy to create a vegetable stir fry everyone will love. For more ideas on stir fry recipes, check out our chicken and broccoli stir fry guide on the blog.