Healthy and delicious broccoli and bell pepper chicken stir fry, made with the BEST stir fry sauce.
The Ultimate Broccoli and Bell Pepper Chicken Stir Fry: A Wholesome & Flavorful Weeknight Meal
Are you searching for a quick, healthy, and incredibly satisfying dinner that bursts with flavor? Look no further than this amazing **Broccoli and Bell Pepper Chicken Stir Fry**. This recipe isn’t just another meal; it’s a vibrant symphony of fresh vegetables and tender chicken, all coated in what we confidently call the **BEST homemade stir fry sauce** you’ll ever make. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a nutritious dish without compromising on taste, this stir fry is about to become a staple in your kitchen.
Life, much like cooking, often throws unexpected ingredients our way. Sometimes, these are delightful surprises that elevate the dish; other times, they’re minor mishaps that teach us patience – and perhaps where not to store our lens caps! For my husband, Shawn, the post-wedding workflow involves the meticulous, and often stressful, task of organizing and packing away an astonishing amount of camera gear. We’re talking tripods, monopods, glidecams, sliders, an array of microphones and audio recorders, countless batteries, walkie-talkies, four camera bodies, and an overwhelming collection of lenses. It’s a logistical challenge, to say the least. Through all our years of filming countless beautiful weddings, we’ve been remarkably fortunate, having only ever misplaced a single battery.
The Case of the Elusive Lens Cap: A Small Adventure Before Dinner
However, our streak of good luck took a comical turn recently when, after a particularly long day, we couldn’t locate a crucial lens cap. Fortunately, it belonged to our most affordable lens – a lens I surprisingly use for almost all my food photography! I had been using it just hours before, and I diligently checked my pockets, the floor, and every conceivable surface, searching for that tiny black circle, barely larger than an Oreo cookie. The search was fruitless, and though a replacement would be inexpensive, the mystery of its disappearance lingered. Eventually, we gave up the hunt and headed home, ready to unwind.
Later that evening, as I was changing into my pajamas, a soft, plastic “ping” echoed as something hit the side of the bed. Lo and behold, it was the lens cap! I was momentarily bewildered until I looked down and saw a perfectly circular indentation on my chest. It turned out I had absentmindedly tucked the lens cap inside my bra. A truly ingenious, albeit unintentional, hiding spot – good enough to keep it hidden even from me! It just goes to show that sometimes, the simplest solutions are found in the most unexpected places, leading to delightful discoveries. And speaking of simple, satisfying solutions, let’s talk about stir-fries!
Why Stir Fries Are the Ultimate Weeknight Dinner Solution
Do you share my passion for stir-fries? They are, without a doubt, one of the most versatile, quick-cooking, and incredibly healthy meals you can whip up. Beyond their sheer deliciousness, stir-fries are a fantastic way to utilize any lingering fresh vegetables in your fridge at the end of the week, preventing food waste and ensuring you get a wholesome meal. I find myself making a stir fry almost every week, a testament to its convenience and satisfying nature. The true secret to an exceptional stir fry, however, often lies in its sauce.
Unlock Unforgettable Flavor with Our BEST Homemade Stir Fry Sauce
Over the years, I’ve dedicated myself to perfecting the ideal stir fry sauce, and I’m thrilled to share that the recipe has been a massive hit, boasting over 26,000 pins on Pinterest! And for good reason – it genuinely is the most delicious homemade stir fry sauce. It strikes a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes, infused with the aromatic warmth of fresh ginger, the umami depth of low-sodium soy sauce, and the nutty richness of sesame seed oil. This sauce transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that will have everyone asking for more.
This particular recipe for **Broccoli and Bell Pepper Chicken Stir Fry** has become a recent favorite in my household. It’s incredibly adaptable; while I often include zucchini and onion to use up what I have on hand, feel free to customize it with your favorite seasonal vegetables. The beauty of a stir fry is its flexibility – almost anything goes, making it a truly versatile and endlessly enjoyable meal.
Broccoli and Bell Pepper Chicken Stir Fry
4 people
10 mins
30 mins
40 mins
★
★
★
★
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Ingredients
Stir Fry Sauce
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce, or Tamari if gluten free
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon corn starch, or arrow root if gluten free
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 2 inch piece of ginger, peeled and grated or finely minced (or 1 tablespoon fresh ginger paste)
- 2 garlic cloves, grated or finely minced
Broccoli Bell Pepper Stir Fry
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chopped into 1″ pieces (I get my chicken from ButcherBox, which I highly recommend)
- 1 large head of broccoli, chopped
- 2 red bell peppers, ribs and seeds removed, chopped
- 1 large zucchini, chopped
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- olive oil
- 2 cups jasmine rice, cooked according to manufacturers instructions
Instructions
Stir Fry Sauce
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In a mason jar or medium size bowl, combine all the stir fry sauce ingredients (low sodium soy sauce, chicken or vegetable broth, corn starch, honey, sesame seed oil, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic) and stir well until fully combined and the corn starch is dissolved. Set aside.
Rice
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Cook the jasmine rice according to the package directions. It’s often helpful to start this step while you’re preparing your other ingredients so it’s ready when the stir fry is finished.
Broccoli Bell Pepper Stir Fry
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Heat a large wok or your largest skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chopped chicken thighs and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are fully cooked through and lightly browned. Transfer the cooked chicken to a medium-sized bowl and set aside.
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For best results and to achieve that perfect crisp-tender texture, cook each vegetable separately. This method prevents overcrowding, which can cause vegetables to steam and become soggy, rather than stir-fry. Add a little extra olive oil to the wok as needed for each batch. Cook the broccoli for about 5 minutes until it’s bright green and slightly tender-crisp. Transfer it to the bowl with the chicken. Repeat this process for the red bell peppers, zucchini, and onion, cooking each vegetable for approximately 3-5 minutes until crisp-tender.
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Once all the vegetables have been cooked, return the chicken and all the cooked vegetables back into the wok. Give the reserved stir fry sauce another quick whisk, then pour it over the ingredients in the wok. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook for about 3-5 more minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce has thickened to a glossy consistency and all the vegetables and chicken are thoroughly heated through and coated in the savory sauce.
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Serve your healthy and delicious Broccoli and Bell Pepper Chicken Stir Fry immediately, spooned generously over the freshly cooked jasmine rice. Garnish with sesame seeds or fresh green onions if desired, and enjoy!
Calories: 335,
Total Carbs: 36.5g,
Protein: 29.6g,
Fat: 7g,
Fiber: 2.9g,
Net Carbs: 34g
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Tips for a Perfect Chicken Stir Fry Every Time
Achieving a restaurant-quality stir fry at home is easier than you think, especially with a few key techniques:
- High Heat is Your Friend: A wok or large skillet needs to be very hot before you add any ingredients. This creates that desirable smoky “wok hei” flavor and ensures a quick sear, locking in juices and preventing ingredients from stewing.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: This is crucial. Overcrowding lowers the pan’s temperature, causing ingredients to steam rather than stir-fry. Cook your chicken in batches if necessary, and definitely cook vegetables separately as suggested in the recipe to maintain their crisp-tender texture.
- Prep Everything Ahead (Mise en Place): Stir-frying is a fast process. Once you start, there’s no time to chop. Have all your vegetables prepped, chicken diced, and the sauce mixed and ready to pour. This preparation, known as “mise en place,” is essential for successful stir-fries.
- Customizable Vegetables: While broccoli and bell peppers are fantastic, feel free to experiment. Carrots, snap peas, mushrooms, bok choy, or even baby corn can all make wonderful additions. Just be mindful of their cooking times – denser vegetables like carrots will need a bit more time than leafy greens.
- Protein Power: Chicken thighs are excellent here because they stay tender and flavorful, even at high heat. Chicken breast can also be used, but cook it carefully to avoid drying it out. Other options include shrimp, thinly sliced beef, or tofu for a vegetarian twist.
The Health Benefits of a Homemade Stir Fry
Beyond being incredibly tasty, this Broccoli and Bell Pepper Chicken Stir Fry is packed with nutritional goodness. Broccoli is a powerhouse of vitamins C and K, and a good source of fiber, supporting digestion and immunity. Bell peppers add more vitamin C and potent antioxidants. Chicken thighs provide lean protein essential for muscle repair, growth, and satiety, helping you feel fuller for longer. By making your stir fry at home, you gain complete control over the ingredients, especially the sodium and sugar content in the sauce, ensuring a healthier meal than many takeout options. It’s a balanced meal that provides essential nutrients and supports overall well-being.
Serving Suggestions Beyond Rice
While jasmine rice is a classic and delicious pairing for this stir fry, don’t limit yourself! For a lighter, low-carb option, consider serving it over cauliflower rice, which beautifully absorbs the rich sauce. Quinoa or brown rice offer additional fiber, protein, and nutrients, making the meal even more wholesome. If you’re craving noodles, a bowl of lo mein or rice noodles would also be a fantastic base, turning this into a hearty noodle dish. The rich, savory sauce pairs well with virtually any grain or noodle, making it a truly versatile dish that can adapt to various dietary preferences and cravings.
More Delicious Skillet Chicken Recipes to Try
If you loved this stir fry, you’re in for a treat! We have many more easy and flavorful skillet chicken recipes that are perfect for any occasion. Explore these fantastic options:
Green Bean Stir Fry with Chicken and Sesame Seeds
Coconut Chicken Thai Curry
Chicken and Mushroom Fricassee
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