This Quick & Healthy Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry is my go-to recipe when I need a fast, flavorful, and nutritious meal. It’s packed with tender chicken, crisp-tender zucchini, and a simple yet delicious savory sauce. I love how easy it is to customize with different vegetables or protein, and it’s ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s a great way to use up those summer zucchini!

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

Fast and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, this stir-fry is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables, it’s a wholesome and satisfying meal.
Flavorful: The combination of soy sauce, sesame oil, and garlic creates a delicious savory sauce.
Customizable: You can easily adapt the recipe to your liking by adding different vegetables or protein.

Ingredients for Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious stir-fry. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Chicken and Marinade

Boneless chicken thigh, cut bite-sized (Meat)
Cornstarch (Thickener)
Light soy sauce (Condiment)
Sesame oil (Flavoring)
Sugar (or honey) (Sweetener)
Rice wine vinegar (optional) (Acid)

Stir Fry

Garlic, smashed (Aromatic)
Cooking oil (Oil)
Zucchini (Vegetable)
Oyster sauce (Condiment)
Ground black pepper (optional) (Spice)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Variations

I love this Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry just the way it is, but feel free to experiment:

Add More Vegetables: Toss in some broccoli florets, bell peppers, snap peas, mushrooms, or carrots.
Use Different Protein: Substitute shrimp, tofu, or beef for the chicken.
Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the marinade or sauce.
Add Nuts: Top with toasted sesame seeds or chopped peanuts for added crunch.
Ginger: Add ginger.

Stir-frying the chicken and zucchini in a wok for Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry.

How to Make Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

Let me show you how easy it is to make this Quick & Healthy Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry:

Marinate the Chicken

First, I cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
In a mixing bowl, I combine the chicken with the marinade ingredients: cornstarch, light soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar (or honey), and rice wine vinegar (if using). I mix everything well and set it aside to marinate for about 30 minutes.

Stir-Fry Chicken and Garlic

I heat the cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
I add the smashed garlic and the marinated chicken (along with all the marinade sauce) to the pan.
I stir-fry for about 2 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer translucent.
Then, immediately remove the chicken from the heat and place it on a plate or in a bowl. I set it aside, trying to keep as much of the sauce in the pan as possible.

Stir-Fry Zucchini

I add a little more cooking oil to the pan if it’s too dry.
Then, I add the zucchini and stir-fry for about 5 minutes, or until it starts to get tender.

Combine and Finish

I return the chicken to the pan.
I add the oyster sauce and sprinkle with ground black pepper (if using).
I stir-fry everything together for another 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the zucchini is tender.

Serve

I remove from heat and serve

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Stir-Fry

Here are a few of my secrets for making the best Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry:

Marinate the Chicken: Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes helps to tenderize it and infuse it with flavor.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken and vegetables in batches if necessary to ensure they brown properly and don’t steam.
Use High Heat: Stir-frying is best done over medium-high to high heat.
Cut Vegetables Evenly: Cut the zucchini into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.

How to Serve

This Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving ideas:

Over Rice: Serve it over white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice.
With Noodles: Toss it with cooked noodles, like lo mein, udon, or rice noodles.
Lettuce Wraps: Serve it in lettuce cups for a low-carb option.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can marinate the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Leftover stir-fry can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or in the microwave.

FAQs about Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
- Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful and stay juicier in stir-fries.
Can I make this without the oyster sauce?
- The oyster sauce adds a lot of umami flavor, but you can substitute it with hoisin sauce or more soy sauce.
Can I make this gluten-free?
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce and make sure your other ingredients are also gluten free.

Enjoy this Quick & Healthy Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry! It’s a flavorful, easy, and customizable meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.