You ever have one of those days where you look at the clock and it is already six and you have zero plan for dinner? That was me last Tuesday. I wanted something that felt healthy but tasted like a treat. This Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry saved my life. It is super fast and low carb but you would never know it because the flavor is just so good. You can get this on the table in under twenty minutes. It uses stuff you probably already have in your fridge. My family went crazy for the sauce and the chicken stays so tender. Let us get cooking because I am hungry just thinking about it.

Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry Ingredients

You really want to use fresh garlic and ginger here. I know the stuff in the jar is easy but the fresh stuff gives it that zing that makes people think you are a professional chef. Here is what you need to grab from the kitchen.

1 lb chicken breast sliced into thin strips
2 medium zucchinis cut into half moons
2 tablespoons soy sauce or you can use coconut aminos
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 cloves garlic minced up small
1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
1 tablespoon olive oil
Red pepper flakes if you like a little kick
Sesame seeds to make it look fancy at the end

Step-by-Step Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry Instructions

The trick to a great stir fry is having everything ready to go before you even turn on the stove. It moves fast so you do not want to be chopping while things are sizzling.

Prep the Chicken and Sauce

First things first you need to slice your chicken into thin bite sized strips. Try to make them all about the same size so they cook at the same time and nobody gets a dry piece. Grab a small bowl and whisk together your soy sauce and sesame oil and garlic and ginger. Set that sauce aside for later.

Sauté the Protein

Get a big skillet or a wok and crank the heat to medium high with some olive oil. Throw the chicken in there in a single layer. Let it sit for a minute to get a nice crust then toss it around. It should take about five or six minutes to get golden brown. Once it is done move it to a plate so it does not overcook and get tough.

Cook the Zucchini

Now throw those zucchini slices into the same pan. Do not turn down the heat. You want to sauté them for only three or four minutes. If you cook them too long they turn into mush and that is the worst. You want them to have a little bit of a crunch left in the middle.

Combine and Finish

Dump that golden chicken back into the pan with the zucchini. Pour your sauce over everything and give it a good toss. Let it bubble for a minute or two until the sauce gets a little thicker and coats everything like a shiny blanket. Serve it up right away while it is hot.

Tips for the Best Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

I have made this a million times and I have learned a few secrets along the way to make it perfect every single time.

Don’t Overcrowd: If your pan is small just cook the chicken in two batches. If you pile it all in at once it will just steam in its own juice and you will miss out on that brown crust.
Dry the Zucchini: I like to pat my zucchini slices with a paper towel before I throw them in the pan. It helps them sear instead of getting watery.
High Heat: Keep that flame high. Stir fry is all about fast and hot cooking to keep the veggies bright and the meat juicy.

Variations of Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

You can totally play around with this recipe depending on what you have in the crisper drawer or how you are feeling that day.

Make it Spicy: I love adding a big squeeze of Sriracha or extra red pepper flakes if I want my mouth to tingle a bit.
Add More Veggies: If you have half a bell pepper or some snap peas lying around throw them in with the zucchini.
Low Sodium: Use a low sodium soy sauce if you are watching your salt intake. It still tastes amazing.

Frequently Asked Questions

People always ask me the same few things when I tell them about this dish so here are the answers.

Can I use chicken thighs: You sure can. Boneless skinless thighs are actually harder to overcook and they stay really juicy.
Can I freeze this dish: I would not do that. Zucchini is mostly water so when it thaws out it gets really slimy and gross.
What should I serve with this: It is perfect on its own if you want low carb. If you want some bulk serve it over cauliflower rice or some fluffy jasmine rice.

Nutritional Information for Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry

Here is a rough idea of what you are eating per serving. It is basically a health food that tastes like takeout.

Calories: 285 kcal
Protein: 32g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fat: 14g
Fiber: 2g