Name: Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 cup thinly sliced peeled carrots; 2 cups broccoli florets; 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces; 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (divided use); 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

If you love quick, flavorful dinners that don’t skimp on nutrition, this Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe is going to be your new weeknight hero. Tender chicken, crisp veggies, and a sweet-savory sauce come together in just 30 minutes!

This close-up image shows a white pan filled with a stir-fry dish that has three main layers. The bottom layer is bright green broccoli florets with a slightly bumpy texture. Above that, there are chunks of cooked chicken with a shiny, light brown glaze that looks slightly sticky and smooth. Scattered among the chicken and broccoli are pieces of soft carrot slices, with a bright orange color and smooth surface. A wooden spoon is stirring the mix, lifting some of the ingredients, showing the glossy sauce coating all the pieces. The pan is on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this honey garlic chicken stir fry more times than I can count, and it never gets old. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory, super simple to pull together, and hits that comforting spot without any fuss.

Quick & Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, ideal for busy weeknights when you want dinner fast.
Fresh & Healthy: Uses crisp broccoli and carrots alongside lean chicken for a nutritious meal.
Balanced Flavors: The honey garlic sauce is both sweet and savory, making every bite satisfying.
Customizable: Easy to swap in your favorite veggies or adjust sweetness to suit your taste.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you dive in, here’s a quick overview of the key ingredients and why they make this stir fry so delicious. When shopping, look for fresh, crisp vegetables and good-quality chicken breasts. Using low sodium broth and soy sauce helps keep the saltiness in check without sacrificing flavor.

Flat lay of fresh broccoli florets, thinly sliced peeled carrots, raw boneless skinless chicken breast pieces, whole uncracked brown eggs, several garlic cloves, a few sprigs of fresh parsley, small white ceramic bowls holding clear chicken broth, golden honey, dark soy sauce, and white cornstarch, arranged with balanced symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vegetable Oil: I divide its use to perfectly cook veggies first and then get a nice sear on the chicken without burning garlic.
Carrots: Thinly sliced for quick cooking and a subtle, natural sweetness.
Broccoli Florets: They add crunch and vibrant color, making the dish more balanced and healthy.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Cut into bite-sized pieces for even cooking and tender texture.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is essential for that punch of aromatic flavor you expect in a stir fry.
Low Sodium Chicken Broth: Adds depth without overpowering saltiness; you can substitute with water if needed.
Soy Sauce: The salty, umami backbone of the sauce that ties all the flavors together.
Honey: Gives the perfect balance of sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the garlic and soy.
Cornstarch: This thickens the sauce just right without making it gloopy—dissolving it in cold water is key!
Salt & Pepper: Simple seasoning to enhance the natural flavors in the chicken and vegetables.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

This Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe is a fantastic base that you can easily adapt to your taste and pantry. Whether you want to add a little crunch, swap veggies, or adjust the sweetness, there’s plenty of room to make it your own.

Swap the veggies: I love adding snap peas or red bell peppers for a burst of color and freshness. It keeps the stir fry vibrant and adds a nice crunch!
Go gluten-free: Simply swap soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos, and you’re good to go without sacrificing the bold flavors.
Make it spicy: Toss in some crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha with the garlic to give the dish a little kick.
Use different protein: Sometimes I like to swap chicken breasts for tender shrimp or tofu cubes — just cook them according to their needs, and the sauce works perfectly.
Adjust sweetness: Feel free to tweak the amount of honey depending on how sweet you like your sauce. I usually start with 3 tablespoons but sometimes cut it down or add a bit more.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

The image shows four frames of a white pan on a white marbled surface, each with different food stages. The first frame has a layer of raw bright green broccoli florets mixed with orange carrot slices spread evenly across the pan. In the second frame, the broccoli and carrot pieces look cooked and softer, still spread evenly. The third frame shows a layer of raw small chicken pieces with a light pink color and sprinkled with black pepper across the pan. The last frame displays the cooked chicken pieces browned and seared, scattered evenly in the pan. The lighting is bright and natural, highlighting the fresh ingredients. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sauté the Veggies to Tender Crisp Perfection

Start by heating 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, add your broccoli florets and sliced carrots. Cook for about 4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still have a little crunch — you want to preserve that fresh, bright texture! Once done, remove them from the pan, set them on a plate, and cover to keep warm. This ensures they stay vibrant and ready to be mixed back in later.

Step 2: Get That Golden Brown Chicken Going

Wipe the pan clean with a paper towel and crank the heat up to high. Add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil. Season your chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them in a single layer — don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure they brown beautifully. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. If your pan isn’t big enough, cook the chicken in batches to keep that perfect sear.

Step 3: Garlic Magic and Veggie Reunion

Once your chicken is perfectly cooked, toss in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. You’ll instantly smell that fragrant, savory aroma that signals pure goodness. Then, return the cooked vegetables to the pan and stir everything together, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until the veggies are heated through and everything’s well combined.

Step 4: Whisk Together the Sweet & Savory Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together ¼ cup low sodium chicken broth (or water), ¼ cup soy sauce, and 3 tablespoons honey. In another small bowl, dissolve 2 teaspoons cornstarch in 1 tablespoon cold water — this step is key for a smooth sauce without lumps!

Step 5: Bring It All Together and Simmer

Pour the soy sauce and honey mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Let it cook for 30 seconds to start melding the flavors. Next, add the cornstarch mixture and bring everything to a boil. Let it cook for about 1 minute until the sauce just starts to thicken, giving you that perfect glossy coating over every bite.

Step 6: Serve It Up and Enjoy!

Remove the pan from heat and serve immediately. This stir fry pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or noodles for a complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy the sweet, garlicky flavors packed into every juicy bite of tender chicken and crunchy veggies!

Top Tip

These handy tips will help you nail the Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe every single time, making dinner both delicious and stress-free!

Cook Chicken in Batches: I found that cooking the chicken in batches ensures each piece gets that perfect golden brown sear without overcrowding the pan, which can steam the meat instead of frying it.
Dissolve Cornstarch Completely: Mixing the cornstarch with cold water before adding it to the pan prevents those annoying lumps and gives you a silky smooth sauce.
Keep Veggies Crisp: Quickly cooking the carrots and broccoli just until tender-crisp keeps their vibrant color and crunch, which really brightens up the dish.
Adjust Honey to Taste: Don’t hesitate to tweak the honey amount to your liking—whether you want just a hint of sweetness or a more pronounced honey glaze.

How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

A white plate sits on a white marbled surface with a turquoise napkin underneath. The plate holds three layers: the bottom layer is light brown cooked rice with a soft, fluffy texture; the middle layer consists of bright green snow peas and fresh broccoli florets with a slightly charred look; the top layer has pieces of light golden cooked chicken, thin orange carrot strips, and slices of red bell pepper, all mixed and glistening lightly. Two silver forks rest on the right side of the plate. In the background, there are two turquoise ceramic cups. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate your Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry, garnish it with some freshly chopped green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. A handful of chopped cilantro or a light drizzle of sriracha can add a flavorful kick if you like things spicy.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine or basmati rice, which soaks up all that luscious honey garlic sauce. For a low-carb option, serve it over cauliflower rice or alongside simple garlic noodles for an extra comforting meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps the chicken juicy and the vegetables crisp when you reheat.

Freezing

You can freeze the stir fry in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best texture and flavor.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short bursts to avoid drying out the chicken. Adding a splash of water or broth helps loosen the sauce if it thickens too much.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken thighs work beautifully in this recipe and tend to stay juicier. Just adjust cooking time slightly as thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.

Can I add other vegetables?

Yes! Feel free to mix it up with bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or even baby corn. Just add them during the vegetable cooking step and adjust timing depending on how tender you like them.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

This recipe can be made gluten-free by using tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce. Make sure your other ingredients, like broth, are also gluten-free.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

If you prefer a thicker sauce, simply increase the cornstarch to 3 teaspoons mixed with cold water and add it to the pan as instructed. Cook a bit longer until you reach your desired consistency.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ve enjoyed learning how to make this tasty Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing it. It’s a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal that fits perfectly into busy weeknights without sacrificing any comfort or taste. So grab your skillet, get cooking, and savor every delightful bite!