Effortless Chicken Stir-Fry

Easy Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry: A Quick & Delicious Weeknight Meal

Are you searching for a vibrant, flavorful, and incredibly fast dinner solution that tastes better than takeout? Look no further than this Easy Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry. This recipe combines tender chicken, a medley of crisp-tender vegetables, and an irresistible homemade teriyaki sauce, all ready in under 20 minutes. It’s an ideal choice for busy weeknights, meal prep, or even a cozy date night in. Serve it over fluffy rice or savory noodles for a complete and satisfying meal that the whole family will adore.

If you’re a fan of quick and delightful Asian-inspired dishes that bring takeout flavors right into your kitchen, you’ll also love our Homemade Chicken Chow Mein and the classic Chicken Fried Rice. These recipes perfectly complement a repertoire of easy, flavorful meals.

Why You’ll Love This Quick Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

My passion for colorful dishes brimming with fresh, bright vegetables knows no bounds, especially when they come together effortlessly. This Easy Chicken Stir Fry recipe holds a special place as a family favorite, drawing inspiration from my highly popular Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls. It features the same succulent chicken and signature sauce, but with an even more generous portion of vibrant vegetables, all served over perfectly cooked Asian noodles. The best part? It’s designed for speed, ensuring a delicious and healthy dinner is on your table in less than 20 minutes, making it an absolute lifesaver for those hectic evenings.

This recipe isn’t just fast; it’s incredibly versatile. Whether you’re planning ahead with meal prep for the week, needing a reliable family dinner, or looking for something special for a date night without the fuss, this stir fry delivers. You have complete freedom to customize it with your favorite seasonal vegetables and choose your preferred base, be it fluffy rice, satisfying noodles, or even a lighter option like quinoa or cauliflower rice. Its adaptability ensures it never gets boring, and you can always adjust it to suit your cravings and ingredients on hand.

The Secret to an Amazing Stir Fry: Fresh Ingredients

Creating a restaurant-quality stir fry at home is far simpler than you might imagine, and often much healthier than ordering takeout. The foundation of any great stir fry lies in its components: a lean protein (or plant-based alternative), an abundance of crisp, colorful vegetables, a flavorful sauce, and your choice of grain or noodles. This recipe streamlines the process, proving that fresh, homemade meals can be both quick and incredibly delicious.

Key Ingredients for the Perfect Stir Fry:

Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing the chicken and vegetables, adding a subtle richness.
Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Lean, versatile protein. Thighs offer more flavor and moisture, while breasts are a leaner option.
Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and vegetables.
Garlic & Ginger: The aromatic backbone of most Asian dishes, providing warmth and depth.
Onion: Adds a foundational savory sweetness when sautéed.
Red Bell Pepper: Contributes a beautiful color, a touch of sweetness, and a satisfying crunch.
Mushrooms: Earthy and umami-rich, they absorb the sauce wonderfully.
Carrot Sticks: Introduce a subtle sweetness and a pleasant texture.
Broccoli: A classic stir-fry vegetable, offering both nutrition and a delightful bite.
Noodles or Rice: The perfect canvas to soak up all the delicious teriyaki sauce.
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce: The star of the show, bringing together sweet, savory, and tangy notes.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Easy Chicken Stir Fry:

Prepare the Chicken: Start by cooking your seasoned chicken pieces in a hot skillet until they are golden brown and fully cooked through. This ensures the chicken is tender and flavorful. Once done, remove the chicken from the pan to make room for the vegetables.
Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add a little more oil and then introduce your hardier vegetables like garlic, ginger, onion, and bell pepper. Sauté them until they begin to soften and become aromatic. Follow with carrots and mushrooms, cooking until all vegetables reach your desired texture – a perfect balance of tender-crisp.
Whisk in the Sauce: While the vegetables are cooking, quickly whisk together your homemade teriyaki sauce ingredients until smooth. Pour this luscious sauce over the sautéed vegetables in the skillet. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the sauce visibly thickens and coats the vegetables beautifully.
Combine and Finish: Reintroduce the cooked chicken back into the skillet with the saucy vegetables. Add steamed broccoli and toss everything together thoroughly, ensuring every piece of chicken and every vegetable is coated in the rich teriyaki glaze.
Serve with Your Favorite Base: If you’re serving with noodles, add your freshly cooked and drained Asian noodles directly into the skillet and toss to coat them completely in the sauce. This infuses them with maximum flavor. Alternatively, serve generously over a bed of perfectly fluffy rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice.
Enjoy or Prep Ahead: Your delicious Easy Chicken Stir Fry is ready to be enjoyed immediately! For meal prep, divide it into four individual containers and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making healthy eating convenient throughout the week.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Meal

One of the best aspects of this chicken stir fry is its adaptability when it comes to serving. The rich teriyaki sauce and flavorful components pair wonderfully with a variety of bases. For an authentic Asian experience, serve it with traditional Asian noodles. My personal preference is Lo Mein noodles for their perfect texture and ability to absorb the sauce, but don’t hesitate to use what you have on hand – even spaghetti noodles can be a surprisingly delicious substitute!

If you prefer rice, jasmine or basmati rice are excellent choices. For a lighter meal, consider serving the stir fry over quinoa or cauliflower rice. The key is to stir the cooked and drained noodles directly into the skillet with the chicken and vegetables. This ensures every strand is thoroughly coated in the delectable teriyaki sauce, maximizing flavor in every bite. Whichever base you choose, this stir fry promises a deeply satisfying and balanced meal.

Customize Your Stir Fry: Vegetable Variations

Stir fry is truly one of the most forgiving and customizable dishes. It encourages creativity and allows you to utilize whatever fresh vegetables you have in your fridge. While my go-to combination includes aromatic garlic, thinly sliced carrot sticks, vibrant red bell pepper (or sweet mini peppers for a milder flavor), savory onion, and nutrient-rich broccoli, the possibilities are endless.

To enhance the color and texture, I often incorporate baby corn for a subtle sweetness and snap peas for an extra crunch. Feel free to experiment with snow peas, water chestnuts, bok choy, green beans, or even sliced zucchini. The goal is to create a bright, colorful, and diverse mix, as each vegetable contributes its unique texture and flavor profile, elevating the final dish. This versatility makes it perfect for adapting to seasonal produce or simply using up what’s in your pantry.

Protein Power: Beyond Chicken Breast

While this recipe traditionally features thinly sliced chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking, you have several excellent protein alternatives. Chicken thighs, cut the same way, offer a slightly richer flavor and remain incredibly tender. For a vegetarian or vegan version, cubed extra-firm tofu makes a fantastic substitute. Ensure the tofu is pressed thoroughly to remove excess water before cooking for the best texture. You can even skip the protein entirely to create a delightful vegetarian-only stir-fry, focusing purely on the fresh vegetable medley and savory sauce.

The Star: Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

The homemade teriyaki sauce is what truly sets this recipe apart. It’s incredibly easy to prepare and can even be made ahead of time, saving you precious minutes during dinner rush. To make this delicious sauce, simply whisk together cornstarch, your choice of vinegar (rice vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or white vinegar all work well), low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, and brown sugar in a 1-cup measuring cup. It’s crucial to whisk thoroughly to ensure no clumps of cornstarch remain, guaranteeing a smooth and velvety sauce. Once combined, add this mixture to your cooked vegetables in the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. The cornstarch will work its magic, thickening the sauce to a perfect consistency that beautifully coats every ingredient. The resulting flavor is absolutely divine – a harmonious blend of sweet, salty, and umami.

Make-Ahead Teriyaki Sauce Tip:

For ultimate convenience, consider doubling or tripling the sauce ingredients. Prepare it by cooking in a medium saucepan until it reaches a thick, syrupy consistency. Once cooled, pour the sauce into a clean glass jar or bottle with a lid and store it in the refrigerator. This homemade teriyaki sauce will keep well for up to a week, making future stir-fries even faster!

chicken stir fry in bowl with chopsticks

More Asian-Inspired Dinner Recipes to Explore:

If you’ve enjoyed the simplicity and flavors of this Easy Chicken Stir Fry, you’re in for a treat! Our collection features a variety of quick and delicious Asian dinner recipes perfect for any occasion. Expand your culinary horizons with these other fantastic dishes:

Quick Mongolian Beef Rice Bowls: A savory and slightly sweet beef dish over rice.
Quick Sweet and Sour Chicken: A classic favorite with crispy chicken and a tangy sauce.
Flavorful Chicken Yakisoba: Stir-fried noodles with chicken and vegetables.
Delicious Shrimp Fried Rice: A seafood twist on a comforting classic.
Homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce: Master the perfect balance of flavors in this versatile sauce.

For even more effortless and delightful Asian takeout-style recipes you can make at home, be sure to check out my comprehensive collection HERE.

If you create this delicious recipe, we’d love to see it! Snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Don’t forget to tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can admire your culinary creation and leave a comment! Happy cooking!

Easy Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

Author: Anna

Quick and easy vegetable and chicken stir fry with delicious teriyaki sauce. Perfect served with noodles or rice.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars (from 6 votes)

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Recipe Details

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 284 kcal

Ingredients

for the stir fry:

2 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 lb skinless boneless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ teaspoon grated ginger
½ cup chopped yellow onion
½ cup chopped red bell pepper
5 white mushrooms, washed and sliced thin
½ cup thinly sliced carrot sticks (about 1 medium carrot)
2 cups steamed broccoli
rice or Asian noodles (for serving)

for the teriyaki sauce:

1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 and ½ teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

Cook noodles according to package instructions. (I used one bundle of Lo Mein noodles).
In a large skillet, heat up one tablespoon of oil over medium heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until done and golden. Remove onto a plate and set aside.
Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, chopped onion, and red bell pepper, then sauté until soft and fragrant. Add carrots and sliced mushrooms and cook until tender-crisp.
In a 1-cup measuring cup, whisk together all ingredients for the teriyaki sauce until smooth. Add this sauce mixture to the vegetables in the skillet and cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, add the steamed broccoli, and stir everything together well, ensuring all ingredients are coated in the sauce.
If serving with noodles, add the cooked and drained noodles to the skillet and toss thoroughly to combine and coat.
Serve immediately, or divide among 4 containers and store in the fridge for up to 4 days for easy meal prep.

Notes

Lo Mein noodles (I often use the Wei Chuan brand) typically come in packages with 4 bundles. One bundle is sufficient for this recipe serving 4 people. If you prefer to serve this stir fry with rice, you can find instructions for making perfectly fluffy rice without a rice cooker on my blog, or opt for quick-cooking quinoa (which works great in a digital pressure cooker). To prepare the teriyaki sauce ahead of time: simply double the ingredients and cook the sauce in a medium saucepan until it is thick. Let it cool completely, then pour it into a glass jar or bottle and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to use.

Nutrition Information

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