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Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

Featured in: Center of the plate recipes

This dish features chicken breast pieces stir-fried until golden, mixed with crisp broccoli and sliced carrots. A savory sauce made from soy, honey, garlic, and a touch of broth brings sweet and salty flavors, while cornstarch ensures the glaze thickens perfectly. The meat and vegetables are cooked quickly, locking in freshness and ensuring balanced texture. Ideal for busy nights, this meal pairs well with steamed rice and can be ready in under thirty minutes, making it both convenient and delicious.

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A woman in an apron is preparing a meal in a sunny kitchen filled with fresh vegetables and herbs.
Updated on Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:40 GMT
A bowl of stir fry with chicken, broccoli, and carrots, all covered in a honey garlic sauce. Pin it
A bowl of stir fry with chicken, broccoli, and carrots, all covered in a honey garlic sauce. | myhomemaderecipe.com

Honey garlic chicken stir fry is my go-to weeknight dinner for punching up a plate of vegetables with bold flavor and just the right touch of sweetness thanks to real honey. This recipe is quick enough for any busy day and delivers that takeout feel at home in under half an hour.

I whipped this up one rainy Tuesday when my fridge was looking a little bare. Now my kids cheer when they see this on the menu and I love how it sneaks plenty of vegetables onto their plates.

Ingredients

  • Vegetable oil: gives the chicken and vegetables a golden sear while keeping them from sticking to the pan so use a neutral high-heat oil for best results
  • Carrots: bring a mild sweetness and pretty color slice thin for quick cooking and look for firm bright orange roots
  • Broccoli florets: add crunch and absorb the sauce look for dense green tops with tight buds
  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts: are lean and cook quickly cut into uniform pieces for even browning and use the freshest you can find
  • Fresh garlic: builds a bold flavor base mince just before using for the best aroma
  • Low sodium chicken broth or water: balances the sauce and keeps it from being overly salty opt for homemade or a good quality boxed broth
  • Soy sauce: provides deep umami flavor low sodium variety gives you more control over the final taste
  • Honey: adds natural sweetness that complements the soy and garlic use runny honey for easy mixing
  • Cornstarch: thickens the sauce and creates that restaurant-style gloss mix it with cold water to avoid lumps
  • Salt and pepper: heighten all the other flavors so taste and adjust as you go

Instructions

Prep the Vegetables and Chicken:
Cut carrots into thin slices and separate broccoli into small florets so everything cooks evenly. Dice the chicken into bite-size pieces for a quick sear. Mince the garlic fresh now so it is ready to go.
Sauté the Vegetables:
Heat just a teaspoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced carrots and broccoli florets. Let them cook undisturbed for around four minutes until they turn bright green and the carrots just begin to soften. Transfer these to a plate and cover loosely so they stay warm but do not keep cooking.
Sear the Chicken:
Carefully wipe the pan clean then get it nice and hot again over high heat. Add the remaining oil. Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper then add them in a single layer. Cook for three to four minutes per side and do not touch them too soon so you develop that golden crust. Work in batches if your pan is crowded.
Add Garlic and Combine:
Once the chicken is nearly cooked through sprinkle in the minced garlic. Stir gently for about thirty seconds until it is fragrant and just softened. Return the vegetables to the pan and stir everything together so the flavors begin to mingle and the vegetables warm through.
Mix the Sauce:
In a bowl whisk the chicken broth honey and soy sauce until smooth. Separately stir the cornstarch into a splash of cold water until dissolved so there are no lumps. Pour the honey soy mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to coat then drizzle in the cornstarch slurry. Let everything bubble gently for about one minute until the sauce thickens and takes on a gorgeous shine.
Serve It Up:
Serve immediately while hot. Spoon over fluffy white rice or your favorite grain and enjoy that glossy honey garlic sauce in every bite.
A delicious Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry is served in a white bowl, topped with a generous amount of broccoli and carrots. Pin it
A delicious Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry is served in a white bowl, topped with a generous amount of broccoli and carrots. | myhomemaderecipe.com

I love the balance honey brings here. It clings to the chicken and veggies for that glossy finish and always reminds me of sharing Chinese takeout with my cousins growing up when honey chicken was the treat we all scrambled for.

Storage Tips

Store any leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to three days. This stir fry reheats best in the microwave or tossed back into a hot pan for a minute to bring back its just-made crispness. If freezing portion out with extra sauce and try to eat within a month for best texture once thawed.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap the broccoli for snap peas bok choy or bell peppers if that is what you have. Chicken thighs can be used instead of breast for a juicier result. If you need gluten free look for tamari in place of regular soy sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Spoon the stir fry over steamed white rice brown rice or jasmine rice for a classic plate. I sometimes serve it with a fresh green salad or roasted edamame for extra crunch and color. If you want to stretch the meal toss in a handful of cooked noodles at the last minute.

Cultural and Historical Context

Honey garlic sauce is a staple in Asian-inspired home cooking across North America. This dish reflects the marriage of sweet and savory that is so beloved in many Chinese American recipes. Fast skillet meals like this became kitchen favorites for busy families and are now weeknight classics.

A delicious stir fry of chicken, broccoli, and carrots, cooked with a honey garlic sauce. Pin it
A delicious stir fry of chicken, broccoli, and carrots, cooked with a honey garlic sauce. | myhomemaderecipe.com

This honey garlic chicken stir fry comes together quickly and delivers real comfort with every bite. Enjoy it fresh for your next weeknight meal or packed up for delicious leftovers tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What cut of chicken works best?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for slices that cook up juicy and quick in a stir fry.

→ Can I use other vegetables?

Yes, snap peas, bell peppers, or snow peas can be added for extra crunch and color variety.

→ How do I achieve a glossy sauce?

Mixing cornstarch with cold water before adding helps the sauce thicken smoothly and glaze the ingredients.

→ Is it possible to make this without soy sauce?

Tamari or coconut aminos offer tasty soy-free alternatives while keeping the savory depth.

→ Should the dish be served with rice?

Steamed rice or noodles are perfect choices to absorb the flavorful sauce and complete the meal.

Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

Juicy chicken, broccoli, carrots, and honey garlic sauce make a quick, satisfying dinner.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Zaho

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Asian-Inspired

Yield: 4 Servings (Serves 4 portions)

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Vegetables

01 1 cup thinly sliced peeled carrots
02 2 cups broccoli florets

→ Poultry

03 450 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2.5 cm pieces

→ Aromatics and Sauces

04 4 cloves garlic, minced
05 60 ml low sodium chicken broth or water
06 60 ml soy sauce
07 3 tablespoons honey
08 2 teaspoons cornstarch

→ Cooking Oils and Seasonings

09 20 ml vegetable oil, divided
10 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 01

Heat 5 ml vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the sliced carrots and broccoli florets. Cook for approximately 4 minutes until vegetables are just tender. Transfer to a plate and cover to retain warmth.

Step 02

Wipe the pan clean with a paper towel and increase the heat to high. Add the remaining 15 ml vegetable oil.

Step 03

Season the chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper. Place the pieces in the pan in a single layer. Sear for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and fully cooked. Work in batches if necessary for even browning.

Step 04

Reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 30 seconds until aromatic.

Step 05

Return the cooked vegetables to the pan. Stir-fry together for 2 minutes until vegetables are heated through.

Step 06

In a bowl, whisk the chicken broth (or water), honey, and soy sauce until well combined.

Step 07

Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Stir to coat evenly. Cook for 30 seconds.

Step 08

In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 15 ml cold water to form a slurry. Add this to the pan, bring the mixture to a boil, and stir for 1 minute until the sauce begins to thicken.

Step 09

Remove from heat and serve immediately. Optionally accompany with steamed rice or grains.

Notes

  1. For best texture, avoid overcrowding the pan when browning chicken; work in batches if necessary.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large nonstick sauté pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains soy (soy sauce)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 310
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 25 g
  • Protein: 33 g