Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Rice

Savory garlic chicken stir-fry with rice is a weeknight dinner hero. With its sizzling golden chicken, crisp veggies, and glossy garlicky sauce, this dish is fast, simple, and full of flavor. The combination of seared chicken, colorful bell peppers, and tender broccoli turns every bite into something crave-worthy.
This stir-fry doesn’t just fill the kitchen with the comforting smell of garlic, it brings balance to the plate. The warmth of soy and sesame mingles with the fresh bite of vegetables and fluffy jasmine rice underneath, ready to soak up every drop. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding the whole table, it’s a delicious solution.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Rice
This meal is made to be fast and foolproof, with ingredients you probably already have. Chicken breast cooks quickly and stays juicy with just a light sear, while the garlic sauce comes together in a matter of minutes. It’s not too salty, not too sweet, and completely customizable based on what vegetables you have.
Plus, this is one of those recipes that easily scales up or down. Cook once and pack leftovers for lunch or meal prep the ingredients ahead and throw it together in 15 minutes. Either way, it’s deeply satisfying and endlessly repeatable.
What Kind of Rice Should I Use?
Jasmine rice works beautifully for its soft, fragrant texture and ability to soak up sauces, but it’s not the only option. Basmati gives you a lighter, more separate grain, and brown rice adds a nutty depth and extra fiber. If you’re after low-carb, cauliflower rice can be a great alternative that still plays nicely with the garlic-soy flavors.
Ingredients for the Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Rice
To make this garlic chicken stir-fry come alive with flavor and color, you don’t need a pantry full of fancy ingredients. What makes this dish shine is how just a handful of basics combine into something truly satisfying. The key is balancing bold aromatics with savory sauces and crisp-tender vegetables that hold their shape and freshness.
- Chicken breast
- Garlic
- Soy sauce
- Honey
- Sesame oil
- Cornstarch
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli florets
- Carrots
- Jasmine rice
- Green onions
- Vegetable oil

How To Make the Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Rice
Step 1: Prep the Ingredients
Slice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt. Dice the bell peppers and carrots, cut the broccoli into florets, and mince the garlic finely. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, a bit of water, and cornstarch until smooth.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
In a hot skillet or wok, heat a splash of vegetable oil and cook the chicken pieces until golden and cooked through. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
Step 3: Stir-Fry the Vegetables
Add another touch of oil to the same pan. Toss in the garlic first to bloom its flavor, then quickly stir-fry the carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli until vibrant and just tender.
Step 4: Combine and Sauce
Return the chicken to the pan. Give the sauce mixture another stir, then pour it in. Stir constantly until it thickens and coats everything in a glossy glaze.
Step 5: Serve Over Rice
Spoon the garlic chicken stir-fry over warm jasmine rice and sprinkle chopped green onions on top for freshness and crunch.
How to Serve and Store Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Rice
This recipe yields a generous four servings, making it perfect for families or those who love leftovers. Serve the stir-fry hot over fluffy jasmine rice in wide bowls that catch all the garlicky sauce. For an extra flourish, add a few toasted sesame seeds or a squeeze of lime juice on top.
Storing is simple: cool leftovers completely before transferring to airtight containers. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and reheats beautifully in a skillet or microwave. If you’ve made extra rice, store it separately to preserve its texture.
What to Serve With Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry?
Steamed Dumplings
Delicate dumplings on the side make for a cozy, restaurant-style experience. Their soft skins and savory fillings pair effortlessly with garlicky chicken.
Miso Soup
A light and soothing soup that balances the bold flavors of the stir-fry. It warms the palate and rounds out the meal gently.
Kimchi
If you like a little zing, a spoonful of kimchi offers spice and crunch that cuts through the richness of the sauce.
Spring Rolls
Crispy veggie spring rolls offer contrast in texture and bring brightness with their sweet dipping sauce.
Pickled Cucumbers
Quick-pickled cucumbers lend a refreshing, tangy note and help keep the dish light and crisp.
Egg Drop Soup
A comforting classic that adds extra protein and warmth without overwhelming the plate.
Mango Sticky Rice
For a sweet finish, mango sticky rice complements the stir-fry’s savory notes with a tropical, creamy dessert.
Green Tea
A hot or iced green tea is the perfect drink pairing to refresh your palate with each bite.
Want More Chicken Stir-Fry Ideas?
If this garlic chicken stir-fry hits the spot, you might enjoy exploring a few other irresistible chicken dishes from Luna Meals:
- Try our Easy Chicken Fried Rice when you’re craving something quick and extra hearty.
- Love garlic? You’ll adore the Delicious Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni for creamy, savory pasta indulgence.
- For a fusion twist, check out the Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese — cheesy comfort with bold flavors.
- Need a tasty appetizer? The Easy Chinese Egg Rolls bring crunchy satisfaction every time.
- Or go classic with Smothered Chicken and Rice for a soul-warming Southern-style dish.
Save This Recipe For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it whenever a stir-fry craving hits.
Let me know how yours turned out! Did you mix up the veggies or tweak the sauce? I’m always curious how you put your own spin on it. Share your version in the comments or drop your favorite pairing ideas.
Explore beautifully curated health-boosting dinners and weeknight favorites on Luna Meals on Pinterest and discover your next craveable dish.
Conclusion
This garlic chicken stir-fry with rice is the kind of meal you’ll want to keep in your rotation—easy to cook, even easier to love. Whether you’re short on time or just craving something cozy and savory, this dish delivers. It’s a smart go-to for busy nights and a flavorful way to clean out the fridge. Once you try it, there’s no going back to takeout.
Print
Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry with Rice
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This garlic chicken stir-fry with rice is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner featuring juicy chicken, garlic sauce, crisp vegetables, and fluffy jasmine rice. A healthy, easy chicken stir-fry recipe perfect for meal prep, leftovers, and fast homemade takeout.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast
3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 red bell pepper
1 cup broccoli florets
1 medium carrot
2 cups cooked jasmine rice
2 green onions
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
1. Slice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt. Dice the bell pepper and carrot, cut broccoli into florets, and mince the garlic. In a bowl, whisk soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, water, and cornstarch until smooth.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet or wok. Cook chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add a touch more oil. Stir in garlic, then add carrots, bell pepper, and broccoli. Stir-fry until vegetables are bright and slightly tender.
4. Return cooked chicken to the pan. Pour in the prepared sauce and stir constantly until the sauce thickens and evenly coats everything.
5. Serve the stir-fry hot over warm jasmine rice. Top with chopped green onions.
Notes
Use freshly minced garlic for the best aroma and flavor.
Don’t overcook the vegetables — they should still have a bite.
This dish reheats well, but store the rice and stir-fry separately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg