Easy 21 Day Fix Chicken & Veggie Stir Fry: Your Healthy, Customizable Weeknight Meal Solution
This 21 Day Fix approved Simple Stir Fry is light, incredibly delicious, and completely customizable with your favorite lean protein, vibrant veggies, and wholesome rice or grain options! It’s the perfect recipe for a quick, healthy, and satisfying meal any night of the week. This post contains affiliate links for products I’m obsessed with, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no extra cost to you.
Confession #19 – After a rather challenging bout with a persistent stomach bug, I’m thrilled to finally feel the joy of cooking return. And oh, how I missed it! While I’ve always had a passion for creating delicious meals, sharing these recipes with all of you has become something I look forward to almost as much as savoring the food itself.
Almost.
Once I was ready to get back in the kitchen, I knew I needed something light, nourishing, and uncomplicated. That’s how this healthy chicken and veggie stir fry came to be. It was surprisingly flavorful, considering it relies on just a few simple pantry staples. It quickly earned a permanent spot in our meal rotation, especially for those busy evenings when a quick and easy dinner is a must!
Why This Simple Stir Fry is Your New Weeknight Hero
Stir-fries are a lifesaver for so many reasons, and this particular recipe truly embodies everything we love about them. It’s not just a meal; it’s a versatile culinary canvas. Here’s why it’s destined to become a regular in your home:
- Unbeatable Customization: The beauty of this stir fry lies in its adaptability. It’s the perfect way to utilize whatever vegetables you happen to have lingering in your fridge. Broccoli, asparagus, bell peppers, matchstick carrots, baby Bella mushrooms, snap peas, bok choy – seriously, anything goes! This makes it ideal for reducing food waste at the end of the week.
- Speed and Simplicity: From start to finish, this dish comes together in just 30 minutes, with only 10 minutes of active prep time. This makes it an absolute dream for busy weeknights when you want a home-cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with lean protein and an abundance of fresh vegetables, this stir fry is inherently healthy. Plus, it’s designed to be 21 Day Fix approved and Weight Watchers friendly, making it an excellent choice for anyone focusing on their health and wellness goals.
- Light Yet Satisfying: Even after a long day or when you’re recovering and not in the mood for anything heavy, this stir fry hits the spot. It’s light on the stomach but incredibly satisfying, leaving you feeling nourished and energized.
The Secret to a Healthier Stir Fry: Coconut Aminos
One of my favorite discoveries through the Beachbody programs, and a true game-changer for healthy Asian-inspired cooking, is Coconut Aminos. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re in for a treat! It’s an incredible gluten-free and soy-free substitute for traditional soy sauce, making it perfectly 21 Day Fix approved and suitable for many dietary restrictions.
But it’s not just about avoiding soy; Coconut Aminos brings its own set of fantastic benefits:
- Nutrient-Rich: Unlike heavily processed soy sauces, coconut aminos are derived from the sap of coconut palms and are packed with vitamins, minerals, and a wide array of amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein.
- Lower Sodium: For those watching their sodium intake, coconut aminos are a significantly healthier alternative, offering a similar umami flavor profile with much less salt.
- Delicious Flavor: It has a slightly sweeter, milder, and less salty taste than soy sauce, which I actually prefer for stir-fries. It creates a rich, savory depth that enhances all the other ingredients without overpowering them.
You can typically find Coconut Aminos at your local health food store or conveniently order it online via Amazon. Trust me, once you try it, it will become a pantry staple for all your Asian-inspired dishes!
Serving Suggestions and Customization for All Diets
Beyond the choice of vegetables, this stir fry offers endless possibilities for tailoring it to your specific dietary needs or preferences:
- Low Carb Option: For a fantastic low-carb meal, I love serving this with cauliflower rice. It soaks up all the delicious sauce and adds extra nutrients without the carbs.
- Wholesome Grains: If you prefer a heartier meal, serve it over brown rice or quinoa. These are excellent sources of complex carbohydrates and fiber, and I often prep a batch for the freezer to make quick dinners even faster.
- Spice It Up: If you crave a bit of heat, don’t hesitate to shake on some crushed red pepper flakes or add a dollop of chili paste to your sauce. Adjust to your personal spice tolerance!
- Protein Swaps: While chicken breast is featured in this recipe, feel free to substitute with other lean proteins like shrimp, thinly sliced beef, pork, or even firm tofu for a vegetarian option. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.
- Extra Zest: A final squeeze of fresh lime juice can also add a bright, zesty kick that complements the savory flavors beautifully.
The beauty of this dish is truly its versatility – it encourages you to “do you” and make it your own!
Tips for Stir-Fry Success
To ensure your stir fry turns out perfectly every time, keep these simple tips in mind:
- Prep Everything First (Mise en Place): Stir-frying is a fast cooking method, so have all your ingredients chopped and ready before you start heating your pan. This includes your protein, vegetables, garlic, ginger, and sauce mixture.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook your ingredients in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the pan will steam your vegetables instead of stir-frying them, resulting in a less crisp texture.
- High Heat is Key: Use a wok or a large skillet over high heat. This creates that characteristic “wok hei” or smoky flavor and ensures your ingredients cook quickly and evenly, retaining their crispness.
- Uniform Cuts: Cut your protein and vegetables into similar-sized pieces to ensure they cook at roughly the same rate.
- Layer Your Veggies: Add harder vegetables (like broccoli florets or carrots) first, cooking them for a few minutes before adding softer ones (like bell peppers or mushrooms) that cook more quickly.
If you’re as big a fan of Asian-inspired dishes as I am, you’ll be happy to know I have plenty of other delicious and healthy recipes you can check out. Don’t miss my Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli, Asian Chicken, Ramen Noodles, Kung Pao Cauliflower, and Chicken Pad Thai! They’re all designed to be healthy, delicious, and easy to make.
Enjoy, friends! I hope this simple stir fry brings as much joy and healthy goodness to your table as it does to mine.
Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups veggies of your choice broccoli, matchstick carrots, and bell peppers are faves
- 1 lb boneless chicken breast diced
- 3 cloves garlic chopped
- Fresh lemon
- 3 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- Cooking spray
Instructions
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Spray a large pan or wok with cooking spray and add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. Heat over medium-high heat. Add your chosen veggies and stir fry until they are tender-crisp (about 5-7 minutes, depending on the vegetables). Add the chopped garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Remove the cooked veggies from the pan and set aside in a bowl.
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Return the pan to the heat. If necessary, add another quick spray of cooking spray. Add the diced chicken breast to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s fully cooked through and lightly browned (approximately 5-8 minutes). Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and add it to the bowl with the veggies.
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Turn the heat up to high. Add the chicken broth and coconut aminos to the hot pan to deglaze it, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – these bits add amazing flavor! Squeeze in the juice of one fresh lemon and let the sauce simmer for about a minute to slightly thicken and meld flavors.
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Return the cooked chicken and veggies to the pan. Toss everything gently to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly coated with the delicious sauce. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and stir in the freshly grated ginger. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until everything is heated through.
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Serve your flavorful chicken and veggie stir fry immediately. It’s excellent served over brown rice or quinoa for a complete meal. For a low-carb option, serve it over cauliflower rice, or simply enjoy it on its own – no yellow container needed for the 21 Day Fix when served without grains!
Notes
Weight Watchers (WW) Points: This recipe is approximately 2 points per serving without rice/grains. Points may vary slightly based on specific ingredients and current WW program.