Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers and Garlic Sauce
A vibrant stir-fry featuring tender chicken breast tossed with colorful bell peppers in a savory garlic sauce. This asian-inspired stir fry ready in about 25 minutes pairs thinly sliced chicken breast, minced garlic cloves, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 3, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 12 oz, thinly sliced chicken breast
- 1 medium, sliced into strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into strips yellow bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into strips green bell pepper
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp red chili flakes
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 12 oz thinly sliced chicken breast and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until edges are golden and chicken is nearly cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes to the skillet, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 3: Toss in 1 medium each of sliced red, yellow, and green bell peppers, stir-frying for 3-4 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp cornstarch, 1/4 cup water, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1 tsp sesame oil until smooth.
- Step 5: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and peppers, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and coats all ingredients, about 2 minutes.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers and Garlic Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers and Garlic Sauce?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep thinly sliced chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers and Garlic Sauce?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers and Garlic Sauce for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Stir-Fried Chicken with Bell Peppers and Garlic Sauce?
Asian stir fry like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.