We have all been there. It is 5:30 PM, you are tired, and the question of what to cook feels like a heavy weight. You want something homemade, but you do not want to spend hours in the kitchen. Finding reliable Easy Recipes Dinner options that actually taste good can feel like a challenge. You want flavor, you want health benefits, and you mostly want simplicity.
That is where this Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry comes in. It is one of those Quick Dinner Ideas that checks every single box. It is faster than ordering delivery, and honestly, it tastes much fresher. With tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a sauce that hits that sweet and savory spot, this dish is about to become a regular in your weekly rotation.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
When you are hunting for Easy Recipes Dinner solutions, you often have to compromise. Sometimes you trade flavor for speed, or health for convenience. This recipe asks you to make zero compromises. It comes together in just about 30 minutes, making it ideal for those hectic evenings when time is tight.
The sauce is really the star here. It uses pantry staples like honey, soy sauce, and garlic to create a glaze that clings to every piece of chicken and broccoli. You do not need any fancy bottled sauces full of preservatives. You can control exactly what goes into your food, which is a huge plus for home cooks looking for Easy Food For Dinner that is wholesome and transparent.
Another reason this meal stands out among Easy Recipes Dinner choices is its versatility. While we use broccoli and carrots here, you can easily swap in whatever vegetables you have languishing in your crisper drawer. Bell peppers, snap peas, or baby corn would all work wonderfully. It is a forgiving recipe that welcomes creativity.
Ingredients
Great Easy Supper Recipes start with simple, accessible ingredients. You likely have most of these items in your kitchen right now. Here is what you need to get started.
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (divided use)
- 1 cup thinly sliced peeled carrots
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth (or water)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- Salt and pepper to taste
The vegetable oil is neutral, which allows the flavors of the sauce to shine through, but you could use canola or a light olive oil if you prefer. For the chicken, breast meat works well because it is lean and cooks fast, but boneless skinless thighs are also a fantastic option if you prefer juicier dark meat.
Using low sodium chicken broth and soy sauce is a smart move. It allows you to control the saltiness of the final dish. You can always add a pinch more salt at the end, but you cannot take it out once it is in there.
Step-By-Step Instructions
This cooking process is fast and furious, which is typical for stir fry. Read through these instructions before you turn on the stove. Being prepared is the secret to Easy Recipes Dinner success.
Step 1: Cook The Vegetables
Start by heating 1 teaspoon of your oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, toss in your broccoli florets and those thinly sliced carrots. You want to cook these for approximately 4 minutes. The goal is tender crisp vegetables. They should have a bright color and a slight bite, not be mushy. Once they are done, remove them from the pan and place them on a plate. Cover the plate to keep them warm while you move to the next step.
Step 2: Sear The Chicken
Wipe that same pan clean with a paper towel carefully. Turn your heat up to high. This high heat is crucial for getting a nice color on the meat. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Season your chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.
Add the chicken to the pan in a single layer. If your pan is small, you might need to do this in two batches. Crowding the pan causes the chicken to steam rather than sear, and we want that golden brown exterior. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Near the very end, add the minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Step 3: Make The Sauce
While the chicken finishes, you can quickly whisk together your sauce ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, honey, and soy sauce. In a separate small dish, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water until it is smooth. This slurry is what will thicken your sauce later.
Step 4: Combine And Serve
Add your cooked vegetables back into the pan with the chicken. Stir everything around for about 2 minutes just to ensure the veggies are warmed through again. Pour the soy sauce and honey mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Let it bubble for 30 seconds.
Finally, stir in your cornstarch mixture. Bring the liquid to a boil and cook for 1 more minute. You will see the sauce transform from watery to a glossy, thick glaze that coats everything beautifully. Serve immediately. It pairs wonderfully with white rice, brown rice, or even noodles.
How To Store Leftovers
One of the best things about Easy Recipes Dinner favorites like this one is that they make excellent lunches the next day. If you have leftovers, allow them to cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container.
You can store this chicken stir fry in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days. When you are ready to eat, the microwave is the easiest way to reheat it. Just heat it in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until it is hot. You can also toss it back in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water to loosen up the sauce.
Freezing is an option, but keep in mind that the vegetables might lose some of their crisp texture upon thawing. If you do freeze it, use a freezer safe container and eat it within 2 months for the best quality.
Tips
Making Easy Recipes Dinner dishes should be stress free. Here are a few tips to ensure your stir fry turns out just right every time.
Preparation is key. Because stir frying happens fast, you should have all your vegetables chopped, your chicken cut, and your sauce ingredients measured out before you turn on the heat. Chefs call this “mise en place,” and it saves you from scrambling while the garlic burns.
Pay attention to your vegetable cuts. Slice the carrots very thin. Carrots are dense and take longer to cook than broccoli. By slicing them thinly, you ensure that both vegetables finish cooking at the same time. If you like softer vegetables, you can cover the pan with a lid for a minute during the vegetable cooking step to steam them slightly.
Do not skip the cornstarch slurry step. Adding cornstarch powder directly to hot liquid will result in lumpy sauce. Mixing it with cold water first ensures a smooth, velvety consistency that gives the dish that professional restaurant quality texture.
Conclusion
This Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry proves that Easy Recipes Dinner choices do not have to be boring or unhealthy. It is a meal that brings color, texture, and bold flavor to your table in less time than it takes to watch a sitcom episode. Whether you are a beginner cook or just someone looking for Quick Dinner Ideas to simplify your life, this recipe is a reliable friend.
Give it a try tonight. The combination of sweet honey and savory garlic is sure to please even the picky eaters in your house. Cooking at home can be simple and rewarding when you have the right recipe in your hand.
FAQ
Here are some common questions about this dish to help you get the best results from your Easy Food For Dinner cooking session.
Can I Make This Gluten Free?
Yes, you can easily adapt this. To make this recipe gluten free, substitute the soy sauce for Tamari or coconut aminos. Ensure your chicken broth and cornstarch are certified gluten free as well. The flavor profile remains almost exactly the same.
Can I Use Frozen Vegetables?
Absolutely. Using a bag of frozen mixed stir fry veggies is a great hack for Easy Supper Recipes. If using frozen, add them directly to the hot pan. They may release a bit more water than fresh vegetables, so you might need to cook them a minute or two longer to let that moisture evaporate before adding the chicken back in.
Can I Substitute The Protein?
This sauce works well with almost any protein. You can swap the chicken for shrimp, thin strips of beef, or even cubed tofu for a vegetarian option. If using shrimp, reduce the cooking time significantly as shrimp cooks very fast.
Is This Recipe Spicy?
As written, this recipe is mild and sweet. However, if you like a kick in your Easy Recipes Dinner, you can add a teaspoon of sriracha to the sauce or sprinkle red pepper flakes over the finished dish. It is very easy to customize the heat level to your preference.
Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
This Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry comes together in just about 30 minutes, making it ideal for those hectic evenings when time is tight. With tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a sauce that hits that sweet and savory spot, this dish is about to become a regular in your weekly rotation.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Cook broccoli florets and thinly sliced carrots for approximately 4 minutes until tender-crisp. Remove from pan and cover to keep warm.
- Wipe the same pan clean and turn heat to high. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Season chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the pan in a single layer (cook in batches if needed to avoid crowding). Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Near the end, add minced garlic and cook for just 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, honey, and soy sauce. In a separate small dish, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water until smooth to create a slurry.
- Add your cooked vegetables back into the pan with the chicken. Stir everything for about 2 minutes to warm through. Pour the soy sauce and honey mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Let it bubble for 30 seconds. Finally, stir in your cornstarch mixture. Bring the liquid to a boil and cook for 1 more minute until the sauce transforms into a glossy, thick glaze. Serve immediately.
Notes
Preparation is key: Have all vegetables chopped, chicken cut, and sauce ingredients measured out before turning on the heat.
Pay attention to your vegetable cuts: Slice carrots very thin to ensure they cook at the same time as broccoli. For softer vegetables, cover the pan with a lid for a minute during the vegetable cooking step.
Do not skip the cornstarch slurry step: Mixing it with cold water first ensures a smooth, velvety consistency and prevents lumps.
Nutrition
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