Description
This Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces stir-fried with fresh zucchini, garlic, and ginger. Tossed in a savory sauce made of soy sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of brown sugar with a hint of chili heat, it makes a delightful low-carb, healthy meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or 1 small red chili, thinly sliced
Sauce & Oils
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (canola, avocado, or grapeseed)
Garnish
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. This helps to create a light crust when cooking and thickens the sauce later.
- Sear the chicken: Heat the neutral oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer without crowding the pan. Let it sear for 2–3 minutes without stirring, then stir and cook until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the zucchini and aromatics: If needed, add a little more oil to the pan. Stir-fry the sliced zucchini for 3–4 minutes until just tender. Add the minced garlic and ginger and stir-fry for an additional 30 seconds to release their flavors.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the zucchini. Add the soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, and chili flakes or sliced chili. Stir well to coat everything evenly with the sauce.
- Simmer the stir fry: Let the mixture simmer for 1–2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and fully coat the chicken and vegetables.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired and serve the stir fry hot as a main dish, great with steamed rice or noodles.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for juicier meat.
- Adjust chili flakes according to your heat preference or omit for mild flavor.
- Use low sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.
- If zucchini is watery, pat dry before cooking to prevent sogginess.
