Easy 15-Minute Chicken Stir-Fry with Noodles and Fresh Veggies: Your Perfect Weeknight Meal
Are you juggling a busy schedule but still crave a delicious, home-cooked meal? Look no further! This **easy chicken stir-fry with noodles and fresh veggies** is designed to make your dinner routine stress-free and incredibly satisfying. Imagine sinking your teeth into tender, perfectly cooked chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and slurpable noodles, all coated in a rich, sweet, and savory sauce that will have your taste buds singing. The best part? This entire delightful dish comes together in just about 15 minutes, making it the ultimate solution for those hectic days when you need a quick, healthy, and unbelievably tasty meal on the table. Serve it up to your family, and we bet they’ll be clamoring for seconds!
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Why You’ll Love This Delicious Chicken Stir-Fry with Noodles, Broccoli & More!
I absolutely adore quick and flavorful recipes, and this **chicken stir-fry** has earned its spot as one of my all-time favorites for those demanding evenings. What makes it truly exceptional is the irresistible sauce – a harmonious blend of savory soy sauce, nutty sesame oil, and a hint of dark brown sugar. This magical concoction coats every ingredient, infusing the entire dish with an incredible depth of flavor that’s both comforting and exciting.
The texture contrast in this stir-fry is simply divine. Fresh broccoli florets and thinly sliced carrots provide a delightful crunch, while the noodles act as perfect sponges, soaking up every last drop of the rich, aromatic sauce. From start to finish, everything cooks efficiently in just one pan, which translates to minimal cleanup – a huge win when you’ve had a long day and simply want to relax. My family consistently gives this dish rave reviews, and I frequently adapt the vegetables based on what’s fresh in my fridge or what’s in season. It’s incredibly versatile, lightning-fast to prepare, and always leaves everyone feeling satisfied. Plus, it’s a fantastic and sneaky way to incorporate extra vegetables into your diet, all while enjoying a truly comforting and wholesome meal.
Mastering Your Stir-Fry: Preparation at a Glance
Achieving a perfectly balanced and flavorful chicken stir-fry is simpler than you might think. This overview highlights the key stages to guide you through the process, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable cooking experience. From preparing your protein to bringing all the vibrant ingredients together in a wok, these steps lay the foundation for a fantastic meal.
- Step 1: Follow the instructions on the package to cook the noodles. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, salt, pepper, and cornstarch to make a sauce.
- Step 2: Add the chicken and stir well until the chicken is coated.
- Step 3: Heat a wok or large pan over high heat. Add oil and stir-fry the chicken until it’s browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside. Add the veggies to the wok with water, kecap manis, and rice vinegar. Bring everything to a boil and stir-fry for about 4 minutes. Then add the cooked noodles.
- Step 4: Add the cooked noodles and chicken back to the wok. Stir in sesame oil and sugar, mixing well so the sauce coats everything. Heat until warm and serve!
The Perfect Weeknight Stir-Fry: Tips for Success
Making a successful stir-fry is all about prep and technique. Here are some key tips to ensure your easy chicken stir-fry turns out perfectly every time:
- High Heat is Key: Stir-frying relies on very high heat to cook ingredients quickly and give them that signature crisp-tender texture and smoky flavor. Make sure your wok or pan is smoking hot before adding oil and ingredients.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary. Crowding the pan lowers the temperature, steaming the ingredients instead of stir-frying them, leading to soggy results.
- Prep Everything First (Mise en Place): Stir-fries cook incredibly fast, so have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before you even turn on the stove. This includes the sauce!
- Cut Uniform Pieces: Ensure your chicken and vegetables are cut into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Fresh Ingredients Matter: While frozen vegetables can work in a pinch, fresh ones generally offer better texture and flavor for stir-fries.
- Adjust to Taste: The sauce is the heart of any stir-fry. Feel free to adjust the sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness to your preference. A squeeze of lime juice at the end can also brighten the flavors.
Customizing Your Easy Chicken Stir-Fry
This **chicken stir-fry recipe** is incredibly versatile, allowing you to easily adapt it to your preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
- Protein Power-Ups: While chicken breast is excellent here, chicken thighs offer a juicier alternative. For different flavors and textures, consider swapping the chicken for:
- Shrimp: Add towards the end as it cooks very quickly (2-3 minutes).
- Beef: Thinly slice sirloin or flank steak against the grain for best results. Marinate briefly just like the chicken.
- Pork: Thinly sliced pork tenderloin or shoulder works wonderfully.
- Tofu: For a vegetarian option, press extra-firm tofu to remove excess water, then cube and pan-fry until golden before adding to the stir-fry.
- Veggie Extravaganza: The beauty of a stir-fry is its flexibility with vegetables. Mix and match your favorites! Great additions include:
- Bell peppers (red, yellow, orange)
- Snow peas or sugar snap peas
- Green beans
- Mushrooms (shiitake, cremini)
- Bok choy or other leafy greens (add towards the very end)
- Water chestnuts or bamboo shoots for extra crunch
- Onions or shallots
Just remember to add harder vegetables (like carrots, broccoli) earlier and softer ones (like bell peppers, leafy greens) later to ensure even cooking and varied textures.
- Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, you have several options:
- Add a teaspoon of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the marinade or the final sauce.
- Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes during the vegetable stir-fry step.
- Garnish with fresh, thinly sliced red chilies before serving.
- Noodle Variations: While egg noodles are classic, feel free to experiment with other types of noodles:
- Ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packet)
- Udon noodles
- Rice noodles (ensure they are soaked/cooked correctly)
- Lo mein noodles
You can even serve this stir-fry over steamed rice for a gluten-free meal (ensure soy sauce is gluten-free).
- Homemade Kecap Manis: If you don’t have this sweet Indonesian soy sauce on hand, you can easily make a substitute. Combine 3 tablespoons of regular soy sauce (light or low sodium), 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup, and ½ tablespoon of dark brown sugar. Whisk until well combined. This homemade version perfectly mimics the sweet and slightly viscous nature of Kecap Manis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Stir-Fry
We’ve gathered some common questions to help you perfect your chicken stir-fry.
1. What is the best type of pan for stir-frying?
A wok is traditionally used for stir-frying because its sloped sides and high heat retention allow for quick, even cooking and easy tossing of ingredients. However, a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or cast-iron pan can also work very well. The key is to ensure your pan gets very hot.
2. Can I make this stir-fry ahead of time?
For the best texture and flavor, stir-fries are generally best enjoyed fresh, right off the wok. The vegetables retain their crisp-tender bite and the noodles are perfectly coated. However, you can definitely do some meal prep in advance to save time:
- Chop all your vegetables and store them in airtight containers in the fridge.
- Cut the chicken and marinate it in the sauce mixture overnight.
- Prepare the stir-fry sauce in a jar.
When it’s time to eat, simply cook the chicken, then the veggies, combine, and add the noodles. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days, though the texture of the vegetables and noodles might be softer.
3. How do I prevent my stir-fry from becoming soggy?
Sogginess is a common issue! The main culprits are not enough heat and overcrowding the pan. Always:
- Use a very hot pan or wok.
- Cook ingredients in batches if needed, especially the protein, to avoid lowering the pan temperature.
- Ensure vegetables are relatively dry before adding them to the pan.
- Don’t overcook the vegetables; they should still have a slight bite.
4. Is this recipe healthy?
Yes, this **chicken and vegetable stir-fry** is a great healthy option! It’s packed with lean protein from the chicken and a variety of nutrients from the fresh vegetables. Using a moderate amount of oil and a balanced sauce contributes to a wholesome meal. You can further boost its health factor by increasing the vegetable portion, using whole wheat noodles, or opting for low-sodium soy sauce.
5. Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes, you can use frozen stir-fry vegetables for convenience. However, they might release more water, which can make your stir-fry less crispy. To minimize this, thaw them slightly and pat them dry before adding them to the wok. Also, ensure your pan is extra hot to help evaporate any excess moisture quickly.
Did you make this delicious recipe? We’d love to see your creation! Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your culinary masterpieces look like and regularly share the most beautiful photos from our amazing community. Did you enjoy this recipe? Then please take a moment to leave a rating on the recipe card below! Your valuable feedback helps other home cooks, and me enormously, discover and enjoy this fantastic dish.
Need more inspiration for quick and tasty meals?
- You can find plenty of exciting video recipes on my YouTube channel.
- And don’t forget to save your favorite recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time you’re planning your meals!
📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
5 minutes
10 minutes
15 minutes
Dinner
Asian
4
persons
790
kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
-
1 pound egg noodles -
1½ teaspoon cornstarch -
salt and pepper, to taste -
1 tablespoon Japanese soy sauce -
1 pound chicken breast, cut into small cubes -
2 tablespoons sunflower oil -
1¼ pound broccoli, small florets -
3 carrots, thin slices -
1 leek, thin slices -
½ cup water -
2 tablespoons rice vinegar -
1 tablespoon Kecap Manis, or sweet soy sauce -
1 tablespoon sesame oil -
1½ tablespoon sugar -
1 lemon, sliced
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
US Customary
Instructions
-
Put a pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. -
Add the noodles and cook until done. Drain and set aside.1 pound egg noodles -
In a bowl, mix the cornstarch, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.1½ teaspoon cornstarch,
salt and pepper,
1 tablespoon Japanese soy sauce -
Add the chicken pieces and stir until evenly coated.1 pound chicken breast -
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a wok or large pan over high heat.2 tablespoons sunflower oil -
Stir-fry the chicken, stirring constantly, until browned and cooked through. -
Remove the chicken from the wok and set it aside. -
Add the broccoli, carrots, and leek to the wok.1¼ pound broccoli,
3 carrots,
1 leek -
Pour in water, rice vinegar, and Kecap Manis.½ cup water,
2 tablespoons rice vinegar,
1 tablespoon Kecap Manis -
Bring to a boil and stir-fry for about 4 minutes until the vegetables are tender. -
Add the cooked noodles to the wok. -
Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with sugar. Stir well.1 tablespoon sesame oil,
1½ tablespoon sugar -
Return the cooked chicken to the wok. Stir everything together to combine. -
Serve immediately. Garnish with a slice of lemon for extra flavor if desired. Enjoy your meal!1 lemon
Notes
2. Protein Choices: This recipe works wonderfully with chicken breasts or thighs, but you can also use shrimp, beef (sliced thin, like flank or sirloin), pork, or even tofu for a delicious vegetarian stir-fry. Adjust cooking times accordingly.
3. Vegetable Swaps: Don’t like broccoli? No problem! Green beans, bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), sliced mushrooms, or sugar snap peas are great alternatives. Feel free to use your favorite veggies or whatever you have on hand – just ensure they’re cut into similar sizes for even cooking.
4. Kecap Manis Substitute: Kecap Manis is a sweet Indonesian soy sauce. If you don’t have it, you can make a quick substitute: combine one tablespoon of honey (or maple syrup) and half a tablespoon of extra brown sugar with three tablespoons of regular soy sauce (light or low sodium works best). Whisk until the sugar dissolves.
5. Can I make this stir-fry ahead of time? For the best flavor and texture, this stir-fry is best enjoyed fresh. However, to save time on busy weeknights, you can certainly prep the veggies (chop them) and marinate the chicken a day in advance. This makes the cooking process even quicker! Store cooked leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Calories:
790
kcal
Carbohydrates:
110
g
Protein:
46
g
Fat:
19
g
Saturated Fat:
3
g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat:
10
g
Trans Fat:
0.1
g
Cholesterol:
168
mg
Sodium:
578
mg
Fiber:
10
g
Sugar:
16
g
Vitamin A:
9007
IU
Vitamin C:
147
mg
Iron:
4
mg
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More Amazing Stir-Fry Recipes to Explore
If you loved this easy chicken stir-fry, you’re in for a treat! Stir-fries are incredibly versatile and perfect for creating quick, flavorful, and healthy meals. Here are a few more of my go-to stir-fry recipes that are sure to become family favorites:
- Nasi Goreng with Chicken and BaconExperience the rich and spicy flavors of Indonesian fried rice with this satisfying Nasi Goreng. Packed with chicken, crispy bacon, and an array of fresh vegetables, it’s a full meal in one pan.
- Cantonese Chicken with Egg Noodles – Quick RecipeIndulge in the sweet and savory taste of Cantonese-style chicken served over tender egg noodles. This quick recipe brings authentic Chinese flavors right to your kitchen, perfect for a cozy night in.
- Quick Surinamese Bami Recipe You’ll LoveDiscover the vibrant and aromatic flavors of Surinamese Bami with this simple yet incredibly delicious recipe. Featuring savory chicken and fresh celery, it’s a unique and satisfying noodle dish.