My Favorite 3 Step Chicken Stir Fry Meal

by

When dinner needs to be fast, healthy, and seriously delicious, this 3 Step Chicken Stir Fry Meal is the recipe I rely on every time. It’s simple, colorful, and packed with flavor — all made in one pan with minimal effort. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or meal prepping for the week, this recipe guarantees tender chicken, crisp veggies, and a perfect savory sauce.

It’s budget-friendly, easy for beginners, and incredibly flexible, making it a weeknight favorite that never fails.

2. Ingredients

This stir fry uses basic ingredients but delivers bold, satisfying flavor.

Ingredients List

Chicken:

  • 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Vegetables:

  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 cup bell peppers (any color)
  • 1 cup carrots or snap peas
  • 1 small onion, sliced

Stir Fry Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce or coconut aminos
  • 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ teaspoon ginger (fresh or ground)
  • Optional: chili flakes or sriracha

Optional Add-Ons:

  • Sesame seeds
  • Green onions
  • Rice or noodles
  • Cashews or peanuts
  • Extra veggies

Key Ingredients

  • Thin-sliced Chicken: Cooks quickly and stays tender.
  • Mixed Vegetables: Add crunch, color, and nutrition.
  • Soy Sauce + Honey: Creates classic stir fry glaze.
  • Garlic + Ginger: Give authentic flavor with zero effort.

Optional Add-Ons / Variations

  • Swap chicken for shrimp or tofu
  • Add spinach at the end
  • Make it spicy with sriracha
  • Add mushrooms for extra umami
  • Use brown rice or noodles for serving

3. Step-By-Step Instructions

This is truly a 3 step recipe. Season, sauté, sauce — done!

STEP 1: Cook the Chicken

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. Add seasoned chicken slices.
  3. Cook for 4–5 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through.
  4. Remove chicken and set aside.

STEP 2: Cook the Vegetables

  1. In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed.
  2. Add broccoli, peppers, carrots, and onions.
  3. Stir fry for 3–5 minutes until veggies are crisp-tender.
  4. Do not overcook — they should stay bright and crunchy.

STEP 3: Add the Sauce & Combine

  1. Whisk soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, water, garlic, and ginger.
  2. Pour sauce over the veggies.
  3. Add chicken back into the pan.
  4. Stir for 2 minutes until sauce thickens and coats everything beautifully.
  5. Taste and adjust seasoning — add extra soy, honey, or chili flakes if desired.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this easy stir fry with:

  • Steamed rice
  • Brown rice
  • Noodles
  • Cauliflower rice
  • Lettuce cups

Top with sesame seeds or green onions for a restaurant-style finish.

4. Tips, Substitutions & Notes

Pro Tips for Best Results

  • Slice chicken thinly for quick cooking.
  • Keep the pan hot — this is key to good stir fry.
  • Add harder veggies first (carrots, broccoli) and softer veggies later.
  • Mix sauce before cooking to avoid lumps.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Overcrowding the pan — leads to steaming instead of stir frying.
  • Overcooking chicken — slice thin and cook fast.
  • Forgetting cornstarch — it helps the sauce thicken properly.
  • Using cold ingredients — room temperature cooks more evenly.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Use coconut aminos for gluten-free
  • Substitute maple syrup for honey
  • Swap cornstarch with arrowroot powder
  • Replace chicken with turkey or tofu

Texture, Flavor, or Health Variations

  • Add pineapple for sweetness
  • Add red chili flakes for heat
  • Stir in cashews for crunch
  • Use zucchini or mushrooms to change texture

5. Storage & Reheating

Refrigeration

  • Store in airtight containers for 3–4 days.
  • Great for meal prep lunches.

Freezing

  • Freeze cooked chicken + vegetables (without cornstarch sauce) for up to 2 months.
  • Add fresh sauce when reheating.

Reheating

  • Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water.
  • Microwave in intervals, stirring to avoid overcooking.
  • Keep veggies slightly crisp for best taste.

6. Nutrition (Optional)

(Approximate per serving)

  • Calories: ~280–350
  • Protein: ~30g
  • Carbs: ~15–25g
  • Fat: ~8–12g
  • Fiber: ~3–6g

7. Conclusion

This 3 Step Chicken Stir Fry Meal is fast, healthy, colorful, and incredibly satisfying — the ultimate weeknight fix. With tender chicken, crisp veggies, and a simple homemade sauce, it’s a recipe you’ll rely on over and over again. Once you try it, you’ll see why it’s one of my absolute favorites!

Leave a Comment