Clean Chicken Stir Fry
Looking for a quick, healthy, and flavorful weeknight dinner that the whole family will love? This Clean Chicken Stir-Fry is packed with protein, vibrant vegetables, and a simple homemade sauce that’s savory, slightly sweet, and totally satisfying. Also, it’s ready in about 30 minutes and keeps cleanup to a minimum!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Healthy & Balanced: Protein packed chicken, plenty of colorful vegetables, and a clean sauce made from tamari, garlic, ginger, and a touch of honey.
Quick & Easy: Prep your ingredients while the rice cooks, and dinner comes together in a single pan.
Family-Friendly: Generous servings of protein and veggies make this a dish even picky eaters will enjoy.
Customizable: Add mushrooms, zucchini, or extra snap peas to make it your own.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced
1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
¼ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
For the Vegetables
3 cups broccoli florets
1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced or shaved
1½ cups snap peas or snow peas
4 green onions, sliced (white and green separated)
Optional: 1 cup sliced mushrooms, 1 small zucchini, sliced
For the Clean Tamari Sauce
⅓ cup tamari (or coconut aminos for a slightly sweeter sauce)
2 tbsp water or chicken broth
1½ tbsp honey or pure maple syrup
2 cloves garlic, finely grated or minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (optional but grounding)
1 tbsp rice vinegar or fresh lime juice
1 tsp toasted sesame oil (added at the very end)
For Serving
3 cups cooked white rice (jasmine or basmati)
Optional toppings: extra green onions or sesame seeds
How to Make Clean Chicken Stir-Fry
Step 1: Cook the Rice
Start by cooking your white rice according to package instructions. Fluffy jasmine or basmati rice makes the perfect base for this stir-fry, so it’s worth getting it just right.
Step 2: Prep the Chicken & Sauce
While the rice cooks, thinly slice your chicken and season lightly with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together tamari, water or chicken broth, honey, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar or lime juice to make your clean stir-fry sauce.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add oil, then cook the chicken in a single layer for 3–4 minutes without moving it so it gets lightly golden. Flip and cook until just done. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Veggies
In the same pan, start with broccoli and carrots. Cook for 2–3 minutes until they begin to soften but stay bright and crisp. Add bell pepper, snap peas, and the white parts of the green onions, cooking until all veggies are tender-crisp. If the pan gets dry, add a splash of water to keep everything moving gently.
Step 5: Combine & Finish
Return the chicken to the pan and pour in the tamari sauce. Stir everything together and let it simmer 1–2 minutes until the sauce lightly coats the chicken and veggies. Turn off the heat and drizzle in sesame oil. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 6: Serve
Scoop the stir-fry over warm white rice and top with the green parts of the onions or sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy immediately!
For the Best Chicken Stir-Fry
Slice Chicken Thinly: Cutting against the grain ensures tender, juicy chicken.
Prep Veggies Ahead: Have everything sliced and ready before cooking—it makes stir-frying fast and stress-free.
Don’t Overcook: Keep the vegetables vibrant and crisp for the best texture and flavor.
Make it Gluten-Free: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
This Clean Chicken Stir-Fry with veggies & rice is the perfect weeknight dinner: healthy, easy, and full of flavor. It’s sure to become a family favorite!
If you like this recipe, you will love these chicken lettuce wraps!
Print
Clean Chicken Stir Fry
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Chicken
1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
(thinly sliced against the grain)
1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
¼ tsp sea salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Vegetables
3 cups broccoli florets
1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced or shaved
1½ cups snap peas or snow peas
4 green onions, sliced (white and green separated)
Clean Tamari Sauce
⅓ cup tamari (or coconut aminos for slightly sweeter)
2 tbsp water or chicken broth
1½ tbsp honey or pure maple syrup
2 cloves garlic, finely grated or minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated (optional but grounding) or 1 tsp ground
1 tbsp rice vinegar or fresh lime juice
1 tsp toasted sesame oil (add at the very end)
For Serving
3 cups cooked white rice (jasmine or basmati)
Extra sliced green onion or sesame seeds, optional
Instructions
Begin by cooking the white rice according to package directions. Fluffy jasmine or basmati rice is the foundation of this clean chicken stir fry, and starting it first keeps the rest of the cooking calm and unhurried.
While the rice cooks, thinly slice the chicken and season lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the tamari, water or chicken broth, honey, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar or lime juice. This clean stir fry sauce is simple and balanced — savory with just enough warmth. Set aside.
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the oil and allow it to warm until the pan feels hot but steady.
Add the chicken in a single layer and let it cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes, until lightly golden. Flip and cook until just cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, add the vegetables, starting with broccoli and carrots. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften but stay vibrant.
Add the bell pepper, snap peas, and the white parts of the green onions. Continue cooking until all vegetables are tender-crisp. If the pan becomes dry, add a small splash of water to keep everything moving gently.
Return the chicken to the pan and pour in the tamari sauce. Stir to coat everything evenly and let it simmer for 1–2 minutes, until the sauce lightly clings to the chicken and vegetables.
Turn off the heat and drizzle in the sesame oil. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve the clean chicken stir fry over warm white rice. Finish with the green parts of the onions and sesame seeds, if using.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
