Stir-Fried Garlic Chicken with Bell Peppers and Basil
A quick stir-fry combining tender chicken breast with vibrant bell peppers and fragrant fresh basil leaves in a savory garlic sauce. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten-free option) ready in about 25 minutes pairs loosely packed fresh basil leaves, finely 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 into 1/2-inch strips chicken breast
- 1 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into 1/4-inch strips yellow bell pepper
- 1 cup, loosely packed fresh basil leaves
- 4, finely minced garlic cloves
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb thinly sliced chicken breast to the wok and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and edges start to turn golden.
- Step 3: Toss in 1 medium sliced red bell pepper and 1 medium sliced yellow bell pepper; stir-fry for another 3 minutes until the peppers are tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp oyster sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Cook stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken and peppers.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and fold in 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves until just wilted, then serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Garlic Chicken with Bell Peppers and Basil 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 Garlic Chicken with Bell Peppers and Basil?
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 finely minced garlic cloves from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Garlic Chicken with Bell Peppers and Basil?
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 Garlic Chicken with Bell Peppers and Basil 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.
Is Stir-Fried Garlic Chicken with Bell Peppers and Basil gluten-free option?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.