Stir-Fried Chicken with Spicy Bell Pepper and Garlic
A quick and vibrant stir-fry combining tender chicken breast with crisp bell peppers and garlic in a spicy sauce, perfect for a weeknight dinner. This asian-inspired chicken 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 4, 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, thinly sliced chicken breast
- 1 medium, sliced into strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into strips green bell pepper
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 2 stalks, chopped green onions
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss 1 lb thinly sliced chicken breast with 1 tsp cornstarch and 1 tbsp soy sauce in a bowl for 5 minutes to tenderize.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering, then add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until no longer pink and slightly golden.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes to the wok; stir continuously for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 medium red bell pepper and 1 medium green bell pepper, both sliced into strips, and stir-fry for 3 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp.
- Step 5: Mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp water, and 1 tbsp sesame oil in a small bowl, then pour over the chicken and vegetables, stirring for another 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 chopped green onions before serving immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Chicken with Spicy Bell Pepper and Garlic 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 Spicy Bell Pepper and Garlic?
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 Spicy Bell Pepper and Garlic?
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 Spicy Bell Pepper and Garlic for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Spicy Bell Pepper and Garlic?
Asian chicken 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.