Amazing 20-Minute Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

If you’re anything like I was when I first started my cooking journey, the idea of a flavourful dinner on a busy Tuesday night felt impossible. I was drowning in takeout boxes and stress! But I promise you, creating something truly satisfying doesn’t need hours or a stack of complicated ingredients. That’s why I’m thrilled to share this Quick & Easy 20-Minute Garlic Soy Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry with you today. It’s my go-to for proving that incredible food can be simple. This amazing chicken zucchini stir fry single-handedly turned my stressful weeknights around, replacing chaos with pure cooking joy. It proves you can get a healthy meal on the table faster than the delivery app can process your order!

Why This Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry is Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal

I developed this recipe because I needed results, fast! It ticks every box for a busy cook trying to eat well. Honestly, it’s the reason I stopped ordering takeout so often. It just works so beautifully.

• It is the definition of 20 minute meals. Seriously, we are looking at 10 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking time.
• This is one of the best healthy weeknight dinners you can make—lean protein and fresh veggies, no heavy fillers.
• It’s a perfect quick chicken stir fry because everything cooks down so quickly and evenly in one spot.

Speed and Simplicity: A True 20 Minute Meal

Prep time is only ten minutes, folks! That’s barely enough time to put on my podcast. Because everything cooks so fast over high heat, the clean-up is a breeze too. This checks the box for a true minimal cleanup dinner solution. I often just use my large wok.

SAVE

Flavorful Garlic Soy Stir Fry Sauce

Don’t let the simplicity fool you; the flavor is deep and rich. We rely on pantry staples to create this perfect garlic soy stir fry sauce that coats everything beautifully without a lot of heavy ingredients. It’s robust, savory, and exactly what you need after a long day.

Gathering Ingredients for Your Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

Okay, let’s get everything ready to go! Seeing all your ingredients lined up is half the battle won when you’re trying to cook fast. This recipe uses simple, fresh components we all usually have on hand. Trust me, having everything prepped before the pan even gets hot is the secret to keeping this a true 20-minute meal. Here is exactly what you’ll need for four servings:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 medium zucchini, sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, for glaze)
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Sesame seeds, for garnish

Expert Steps for the Perfect Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

Okay, this is where the magic happens, and remember, time is our friend right now, even though we’re moving fast! The key to getting this chicken zucchini stir fry to taste restaurant-quality is mise en place—getting everything ready *before* the heat goes on. Follow these steps exactly, and you’ll have a fantastic one pan chicken meal. If you ever need a break from stir-fries and want something deeply comforting, you should check out my classic French Onion Soup recipe—a totally different vibe, but just as satisfying!

Preparing the Chicken and Sauce Components

First things first, make sure your chicken breast is cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces. This helps it cook evenly, which is huge for texture! While that’s ready, grab a tiny bowl and whisk together all your sauce materials: the soy sauce, grated ginger, brown sugar (if you’re using it for that little bit of glaze), sesame oil, and those red pepper flakes if you like a kick. Whisk that garlic soy stir fry sauce until it looks totally combined. Set it aside but keep it close!

Mastering the Sauté: Cooking the Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

Turn your large skillet or wok up to medium-high heat—we want it hot! Add your slick of olive oil. Toss in the seasoned chicken pieces and cook them for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring the whole time until they are nicely browned all over. My secret tip here, to ensure you get that perfectly tender chicken zucchini pairing, is to pull the chicken out once it’s cooked and set it aside on a plate for a moment. Don’t crowd the pan when the veggies go in!

SAVE

Next, drop in that minced garlic—you only want 30 seconds here until it smells amazing, no burning allowed! Then, toss in the sliced zucchini. Stir fry those guys for 3 or 4 minutes until they are tender-crisp—not mushy! That’s what makes this a real savory stir fry. Finally, throw the chicken back in, drizzle that glorious sauce over everything, and toss for just one more minute until everything is coated and glossy. You’re done!

Tips for Success with Your Easy Zucchini Recipes

Even though this stir fry is incredibly straightforward, a couple of small adjustments can make a huge difference, especially if you’re tweaking it for your family. When you’re working with easy zucchini recipes like this, remember that the vegetables cook fast, so timing is everything. I’ve included a few pointers from my notes to make sure you nail that perfect texture every time.

For instance, if you are aiming for a super nourishing dish, skipping the rice or noodles is the way to go. Also, don’t be afraid to toss in other things if you have them! If you’re looking for other inspiration on quick dishes, my simple taco salad recipe is another lifesaver on busy nights when you want something quick and vibrant.

Also, using a high-quality, large non-stick skillet really is key to making this a true one pan chicken meal. It ensures even cooking and makes cleanup nearly non-existent!

Making This Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry a Low Carb Chicken Recipe

One of the biggest reasons I love this recipe so much is how easily it transitions into a fantastic low carb chicken recipe. If you are skipping grains, this is your weeknight savior! You totally don’t need rice or noodles underneath this gorgeous pile of chicken and veggies.

The good news? The sauce itself is naturally low in carbs, especially if you skip that optional tablespoon of brown sugar. If you’re craving something rich and creamy while keeping it low carb, you might want to check out my keto white chicken chili recipe for another night!

Just serve this amazing chicken zucchini stir fry straight up in a bowl. It’s packed with protein and fresh veggies, making it a complete and guilt-free meal!

SAVE

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Your Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

This chicken zucchini stir fry is wonderful for making ahead, which is perfect for anyone doing meal prep chicken lunch! Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays good for about three to four days, which is great for lunch planning. Now, when it comes time to reheat, please, please skip the microwave if you can. Microwaves tend to make the zucchini a little sad and soft. Instead, toss the leftovers into a hot, non-stick skillet with just a tiny splash of water or broth. A minute or two over medium heat brings back all that lovely texture and savory flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Quick Chicken Stir Fry

I get so many great questions about adapting my recipes week after week! It’s wonderful seeing you all bring this dish into your own kitchens. If you’re looking for more general kitchen wisdom or inspiration between recipes, you know I’ve got a ton of tips on the main blog page. Here are some of the most common things folks ask me about this specific stir fry.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this chicken zucchini stir fry?

Absolutely, yes! You can totally substitute chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat. Chicken thighs are actually a bit more forgiving on high heat, which means they are harder to dry out. They might just take a minute or two longer to brown than the breasts, so just keep an eye on them!

What other vegetables work well in this simple chicken dinner?

If you want to bulk this up into an even bigger meal, definitely add some bell peppers or broccoli florets. They don’t throw off the cooking time too much when you add them in with the zucchini. It stays incredibly flavorful and keeps that easy appeal that makes for a great simple chicken dinner.

How do I ensure this remains a one pan chicken meal?

That’s the beauty of it! The trick here is using one *very large* skillet or a proper wok. If your pan is too small, you’ll end up steaming the vegetables instead of searing them, and you’ll have to cook in batches, which defeats the purpose of a one pan chicken meal! Make sure whatever pan you use has enough surface area for everything to spread out just a bit.

Serving Suggestions for Your Nutritious Dinner Recipe

This chicken zucchini stir fry is flexible, which I love! If you’re looking to turn this into a more substantial meal, serving it over a bed of quick-cooking brown rice or fluffy quinoa adds great texture and bulk. If you have time for another recipe, my Mediterranean farro salad would actually be a fantastic, bright counterpoint to the savory sauce!

But honestly, if you’re focused on that low-carb option or just need dinner done yesterday, serve a big heap of this vibrant fresh vegetable chicken mixture right into a bowl on its own. It’s fantastic either way!

SAVE

Nutritional Snapshot of the Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

I love that this chicken zucchini stir fry is packed with flavour but keeps the nutrition profile looking great! We aren’t overly sacrificing anything here, which makes it perfect for consistent weeknight cooking. Remember, these figures are just estimates based on the exact ingredients listed above, so they can fluctuate a little based on the exact brand of soy sauce or chicken you use.

For about one serving, here is a quick look at what you are getting:

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 310
• Protein: 42g
• Fat: 10g (Saturated Fat: 2g)
• Carbohydrates: 12g (Fiber: 3g)
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 650mg

It’s a powerhouse meal! If you want to see more of my kitchen happenings and community posts, come say hi over on my Facebook page at Pure Cooking Joy!

Quick & Easy 20-Minute Garlic Soy Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

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I am so glad you are here. This recipe proves that incredible, soul-satisfying food does not have to be complicated. You can make this flavorful, healthy weeknight dinner in under 20 minutes using simple ingredients.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 20 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stir Fry
• Cuisine: Asian Inspired
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 medium zucchini, sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional, for glaze)
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Sesame seeds, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prepare your ingredients: Cut the chicken into uniform pieces. Slice the zucchini into half-moons. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger.
2. Mix the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar (if using), ginger, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.
3. Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil.
4. Cook the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the hot skillet. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
5. Sauté aromatics and vegetables: Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the sliced zucchini to the skillet. Stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes until the zucchini is tender-crisp.
6. Combine and finish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the zucchini. Pour the prepared garlic soy sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Toss everything together quickly, cooking for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the ingredients.
7. Serve immediately: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve your fast healthy dinner idea hot, garnished with sesame seeds.

Notes

• For a low-carb chicken recipe, skip serving this over rice or noodles.
• You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer darker meat.
• To make this a one pan chicken meal with minimal cleanup, use a large, good-quality non-stick skillet.
• If you want to add more vegetables, bell peppers or broccoli florets work well and cook in a similar amount of time.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 5
• Sodium: 650
• Fat: 10
• Saturated Fat: 2
• Unsaturated Fat: 8
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 12
• Fiber: 3
• Protein: 42
• Cholesterol: 125