Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe with Colorful Peppers
Garlic chicken stir-fry with peppers recipe introduces bold flavors to busy weeknights when time feels limited but satisfying meals remain essential.
Savory, aromatic notes fill the kitchen as golden pieces sizzle in the pan, creating a meal that feels both comforting and exciting.
Families love how quickly dinner comes together, making it ideal for those evenings when everyone arrives home at different times.
The combination works beautifully over rice, noodles, or on its own for lighter appetites.
Weeknight cooking doesn't have to mean compromising on taste or nutrition, and recipes like this one prove that point effortlessly.
Colorful, protein-packed, and full of satisfying textures, it's the kind of dish that becomes a regular rotation favorite.
When hunger strikes and time is short, nothing beats a meal that looks impressive but requires minimal effort.
Pull out that skillet and have dinner on the table faster than takeout could arrive.
Why Sizzling Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Peppers & Steamed Rice Hits The Spot
Garlic Chicken Pepper Stir Fry Ingredient Mix
Proteins:Vegetables:Seasonings and Sauces:Equipment You’ll Use for Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
How to Cook Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Peppers
Marinate the Chicken
Toss 1 pound chicken strips into a bowl and sprinkle in 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix everything until each piece gets nicely coated. Let the chicken hang out for 10-15 minutes while getting the other ingredients ready.
Cook the Rice
Rinse 2 cups of rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Grab a medium saucepan and bring 2 cups water to a boil. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and the rinsed rice. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. After time’s up, turn off the heat and let the rice sit covered for another 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Prepare the Sauce
Grab a small bowl and combine these ingredients:
Whisk everything until smooth and well blended.
Cook the Chicken
Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large wok over medium-high heat at 375°F. Spread the marinated chicken strips in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes without touching, letting edges get crispy. Flip and cook another 2 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked.
Sauté the Vegetables
Drizzle another tablespoon of oil in the pan. Toss in the bell peppers and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add these ingredients:
Stir-fry for 30 seconds until everything smells amazing.
Combine and Finish
Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Pour in the prepared sauce, stirring quickly to coat everything evenly. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything is hot.
Serve
Spoon the steamed rice onto plates. Top with the sizzling garlic chicken stir-fry. Sprinkle some extra green onions on top for a fresh touch. Serve right away and enjoy!
Kitchen Know-How for Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry
Adaptable Ideas for Garlic Chicken Stir Fry with Peppers
Best Serving Options For Sizzling Garlic Chicken Stir Fry
Safe Storage for Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Peppers
Sizzling Garlic Chicken Stir Fry With Peppers And Rice Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the chicken tender in this recipe?
Marinating the chicken in soy sauce, cornstarch, and black pepper helps lock in moisture and creates a silky texture when stir-fried.
Can I substitute another type of rice?
Jasmine rice works best for this recipe, but you can use basmati or long-grain white rice as alternatives.
How spicy is this stir-fry?
The red pepper flakes are optional, so you can control the heat level by adding more or leaving them out completely.
Do I need a wok to make this dish?
A large skillet works just as well if you don’t have a wok – the key is using high heat and cooking quickly.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, the soy sauce, oyster sauce, and hoisin sauce contain gluten. You’ll need to use gluten-free alternatives to make the recipe safe for gluten-sensitive people.
Can I prep the ingredients ahead of time?
Absolutely – chop vegetables and mix the sauce in advance to make cooking faster and easier when you’re ready to eat.
Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Peppers Recipe
- Total Time: 40-42 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Garlic chicken stir-fry delivers a quick flavor explosion that brings restaurant-quality dinner right to your kitchen table. Crisp peppers and tender chicken combine with aromatic garlic for a simple weeknight meal that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds.
Ingredients
Proteins:
- 1 pound chicken
Vegetables:
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger
- 2 green onions
Seasonings and Sauces:
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Marinate 1 pound chicken strips with 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Toss until each piece is evenly coated.
- Rinse 2 cups jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
- Boil 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Add rinsed rice and ½ teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- After 15 minutes, turn off heat and let rice sit covered for 5 more minutes. Fluff with a fork when ready.
- Whisk sauce ingredients in a small bowl: 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon honey, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ¼ cup chicken broth, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips in a single layer.
- Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes without stirring. Flip and cook another 2 minutes until golden and fully cooked.
- Remove chicken from pan. Add another tablespoon oil and stir-fry sliced bell peppers for 2 minutes.
- Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1-inch grated ginger, and chopped green onions. Stir-fry 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Return chicken to pan. Pour in prepared sauce and stir quickly to coat everything.
- Cook 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and ingredients are heated through.
- Serve hot garlic chicken stir-fry over steamed jasmine rice. Garnish with extra green onions.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for at least 10 minutes to ensure tender, flavorful meat that absorbs seasonings deeply.
- Prep all ingredients before starting to cook, as stir-frying moves quickly and requires constant attention.
- Use a high-heat cooking method like a wok or cast-iron skillet to get that perfect golden sear on chicken without overcooking.
- For a gluten-free version, swap soy sauce with tamari and ensure all other sauces are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-27 minutes
- Category: Stir-Fried
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 253 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg




Mason Carter
Founder
Expertise
Family Meal Routines, Simple One-pot Meals, Budget-friendly Cooking, Quick Dinner Planning, Batch Cooking Systems
Education
- Certificate: Culinary Arts
- Focus: Training in core cooking techniques, kitchen operations, and real food preparation through hands-on experience in professional-style kitchens.
Penn Foster Career School (Online)Mason is the founder of Families With Purpose and the heart behind its simple, family-focused recipes. Based in Greenville, South Carolina, he creates meals that fit into busy routines and bring people back to the table. He focuses on easy dinners, one-pot meals, budget-friendly cooking, and practical weekly meal planning. Mason has built a recipe collection shaped by real family life, with clear methods and repeatable meals that work on everyday schedules.