Easy & Healthy Chicken and Shrimp Stir Fry: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal

Welcome to your new go-to recipe for busy weeknights! This vibrant Chicken and Shrimp Stir Fry is a powerhouse of flavor and nutrition, featuring succulent shrimp, tender chicken, and a colorful medley of crisp vegetables like sweet bell peppers, vibrant broccoli, and crunchy carrots. All of this goodness is coated in an irresistible sweet and savory stir fry sauce that brings everything together in perfect harmony. It’s an incredibly simple dish to master, making it ideal for anyone looking for a quick yet satisfying meal.

There’s something incredibly appealing about a meal that comes together in under 30 minutes, especially when it tastes like it took hours of effort. That’s precisely what this chicken and shrimp stir fry offers. It’s a complete meal in one skillet, meaning minimal cleanup, which is always a win in my book!

Beyond its speed, this stir fry is packed with lean protein from both chicken and shrimp, combined with a generous serving of fresh, nutrient-rich vegetables. It’s a healthy option that never compromises on taste, making it a fantastic choice for a wholesome family dinner.

One of the absolute best aspects of stir-fries is their incredible versatility. This recipe is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to easily swap out proteins or vegetables based on what you have on hand, your dietary preferences, or even just what’s in season. No matter how you customize it, you’re guaranteed a delicious and satisfying dish every time.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Stir Fry Recipe

If you’re still on the fence about trying this recipe, here are a few compelling reasons why it should be at the top of your list:

• Lightning Fast: Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s faster than most takeout options!
• Healthy & Wholesome: Loaded with lean proteins and fresh vegetables, it’s a meal you can feel good about.
• One-Skillet Wonder: Cooking everything in a single pan drastically reduces cleanup time.
• Highly Customizable: Easily swap ingredients to suit your taste or what’s available in your fridge.
• Incredible Flavor: The homemade sweet and savory sauce is truly the star, elevating simple ingredients into an unforgettable meal.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: It reheats beautifully, making it excellent for lunch the next day.

Key Ingredients for an Authentic Stir Fry

To create the perfect chicken and shrimp stir fry, it’s essential to understand the role each ingredient plays. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and some tips for selection:

For the irresistible Stir Fry Sauce

The sauce is the heart of any good stir fry, providing that signature sweet, savory, and umami depth. This recipe’s sauce is balanced and incredibly flavorful.

• Chicken stock: This forms the base of our sauce. I highly recommend opting for reduced-sodium chicken stock or broth. This gives you greater control over the overall sodium content of your dish, especially since other ingredients like soy sauce also contribute significant sodium. If you’re vegetarian, a good quality vegetable broth works perfectly as a substitute.
• Soy sauce: A staple in Asian cuisine, soy sauce delivers a crucial umami punch. For those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease, Tamari soy sauce is an excellent gluten-free alternative that tastes very similar. Again, choosing a reduced-sodium variety is a smart move for health-conscious cooking.
• Ginger paste: This ingredient is a true time-saver! Fresh ginger root can be fiddly to peel and mince, but ginger paste offers all the vibrant, zesty flavor without the fuss. You’ll typically find it in a small tube in the refrigerated produce section of your grocery store, often near the fresh herbs. It’s a fantastic staple for any Asian-inspired cooking.
• Sesame oil: A little goes a long way with sesame oil, which adds a distinct, nutty, and aromatic flavor that is quintessential to stir-fries. Make sure to use toasted sesame oil for the deepest flavor. It’s usually added at the end or in the sauce, rather than for high-heat cooking.
• Sweetener (Honey & Brown Sugar): This combination creates a beautifully balanced sweet note that complements the savory elements of the sauce. You can adjust the ratio or use all honey or all brown sugar based on your preference. Maple syrup is another viable alternative if you prefer. The sweetness helps to caramelize the sauce slightly as it thickens.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable for flavor. If you dread mincing, investing in a good garlic press will make this step incredibly quick and easy. The pungent aroma and taste of fresh garlic add a foundational layer of flavor to the sauce.
• Cornstarch: This is our secret weapon for achieving that perfectly glossy, thick sauce consistency. Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, ensuring the sauce clings beautifully to all the chicken, shrimp, and vegetables. Always mix it with a cold liquid (like the chicken stock) before adding it to a hot pan to prevent lumps.

For the heart of the Stir Fry

The protein and vegetables are the stars of the show, bringing texture, substance, and a wealth of nutrients.

• Chicken breast: I typically use one large boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe. The key to tender, juicy chicken in a stir fry is how you cut it. Always slice it against the grain. This shortens the muscle fibers, resulting in incredibly tender pieces that won’t become chewy. Aim for thin, bite-sized strips for quick and even cooking. Chicken thighs can also be used for an even more tender and flavorful result, though they will require a slightly longer cooking time.
• Shrimp: Large raw shrimp are ideal for stir-fries because they cook quickly and have a satisfying, meaty texture. I prefer buying them frozen, peeled, and deveined for convenience. Many grocery store seafood counters sell shrimp that has been previously frozen and then thawed, so buying it frozen yourself often guarantees better quality and allows you to thaw it just before cooking. Avoid overcooking shrimp, as it can quickly turn rubbery.
• Veggies: This recipe calls for a delightful mix of broccoli florets, colorful bell pepper (red bell pepper adds a touch of sweetness), crisp snow peas, and delicate matchstick carrots. This combination provides both texture and a nutritional boost. However, the beauty of a stir fry lies in its flexibility. Feel free to incorporate other vegetables like sliced mushrooms, baby corn, shredded cabbage, crunchy water chestnuts, or fresh spinach. The main tip is to choose vegetables that cook relatively quickly or cut them into smaller pieces to ensure even cooking.

How to Make Chicken and Shrimp Stir Fry: Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this delicious stir fry is simpler than you might think. Follow these easy steps for a perfect meal every time:

• Prepare the Sauce: In a liquid measuring cup or a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the stir fry sauce: chicken stock, soy sauce, ginger paste, sesame oil, honey, brown sugar, minced garlic, and cornstarch. Ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved to prevent lumps. Set this aside; it will be added at the end.
• Prep the Chicken: Take your boneless, skinless chicken breast and cut it in half crosswise. Then, with a sharp knife, slice each piece into very thin strips, making sure to cut against the grain of the meat. Cutting against the grain is crucial for making the chicken tender and easy to chew. If any strips are excessively long, you can cut them in half again for more manageable, bite-sized pieces.

• Prepare the Veggies: Slice your red bell pepper into thin strips and cut your broccoli into small, manageable florets. If you’re using other vegetables, prepare them so they are roughly the same size for even cooking. Doing this prep work ahead of time (mise en place) is the secret to a stress-free stir fry experience.
• Cook the Chicken: Heat a large, 12-inch nonstick skillet (or a wok if you have one) over medium-high heat. Add a generous drizzle of olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken strips in a single layer, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, until the chicken is fully cooked through and lightly browned, about 4-6 minutes. Immediately transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate; this prevents it from overcooking and becoming dry while you cook the other ingredients.

• Sauté the Veggies: Add another drizzle of olive oil to the same skillet if needed. Add the broccoli, bell pepper, and snow peas. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 to 6 minutes, until the vegetables begin to soften but still retain a slight crunch. We want them crisp-tender, not mushy.
• Add Shrimp and Carrots: Now, add the peeled and deveined raw shrimp and the matchstick carrots to the skillet. These ingredients cook very quickly. Stir and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. It’s perfectly fine if the shrimp isn’t completely cooked through at this stage; it will finish cooking with the sauce. Adding them last prevents the shrimp from becoming tough and rubbery.

• Combine and Thicken: Pour the prepared stir fry sauce into the skillet with the vegetables and shrimp. Immediately add the previously cooked chicken back into the pan. Stir everything gently but continuously. Cook for an additional 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the sauce to come to a simmer and thicken beautifully, coating all the ingredients. The shrimp should turn opaque and pink, indicating it’s fully cooked.
• Serve Immediately: Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency and everything is thoroughly heated, remove the pan from the heat. Serve your delicious chicken and shrimp stir fry warm, ideally over a bed of fluffy white rice, noodles, or cauliflower rice.

Make-Ahead Tips for an Even Quicker Meal

One of the best ways to enjoy this stir fry even faster is by doing some prep work in advance. This can turn an already quick meal into an absolute breeze on a busy evening.

• Minimize Prep-Work: The secret to a lightning-fast stir fry is having all your ingredients prepped and ready to go.
  • Veggies: You can wash, chop, and slice all your vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snow peas) up to 2-3 days in advance. Store them in separate airtight containers or ziplock bags in the refrigerator.
  • Protein: Slice your chicken breast against the grain and store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. You can also peel and devein your shrimp.
  • Sauce: Whisk together all the sauce ingredients and store them in a jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Just give it a good shake or whisk before adding it to the pan.

  With all these components ready, you’ll literally just be cooking and assembling on the day of, saving you valuable time and effort.

• Reheats Well: This chicken and shrimp stir fry is fantastic for meal prepping! It reheats beautifully and tastes just as delicious, if not better, the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Allow the stir fry to cool completely before transferring it to individual airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply microwave individual portions until heated through, or warm it gently in a skillet on the stovetop for a slightly crisper texture.

Stir Fry Variations & Customization Ideas

The beauty of stir-fries lies in their adaptability. Don’t be afraid to get creative and tailor this recipe to your preferences or what’s available in your kitchen.

• Protein Swaps:
  • Beef: Thinly sliced flank steak, sirloin, or skirt steak works wonderfully. Marinate it briefly in a little soy sauce and cornstarch before cooking for extra tenderness.
  • Pork: Thinly sliced pork tenderloin or pork loin are excellent alternatives.
  • Tofu: For a vegetarian option, press extra-firm tofu to remove excess water, cube it, and pan-fry until golden and crispy before adding it to the stir fry.
  • All Chicken or All Shrimp: If you don’t like one of the proteins, simply double up on the other. For an all-chicken stir fry, consider increasing the chicken breast to 1.5-2 breasts (approx. 16-20 ounces). For an all-shrimp stir fry, use 16 ounces of large shrimp.
• Vegetable Combinations: The possibilities are endless! Aim for a good mix of textures and colors.
  • Crunchy Veggies: Onions (red or yellow), snap peas, green beans, asparagus, bamboo shoots, and water chestnuts all add satisfying crunch.
  • Leafy Greens: Bok choy (especially baby bok choy), napa cabbage, or spinach wilt quickly and add great flavor and nutrients. Add them towards the end of cooking.
  • Mushrooms: Sliced cremini, shiitake, or even oyster mushrooms add an earthy umami depth.
  • Other Options: Baby corn, edamame (shelled), and even thinly sliced zucchini can be great additions.

  Just remember to add denser vegetables (like broccoli or carrots) earlier and quicker-cooking ones (like spinach or snap peas) later to ensure everything is perfectly crisp-tender.

Expert Tips for the Best Stir Fry

Achieving restaurant-quality stir fry at home is easier than you think with a few key techniques:

• Prep Everything First (Mise en Place): This is arguably the most important tip. Stir-frying is a very fast cooking method, so you won’t have time to chop veggies or measure sauce once you start. Have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before you even turn on the heat.
• High Heat is Key: A successful stir fry relies on high heat to quickly sear ingredients and lock in flavors and textures. Ensure your skillet or wok is screaming hot before adding oil and ingredients.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking too many ingredients at once will lower the pan’s temperature, causing the food to steam rather than stir-fry. This leads to soggy vegetables and less flavorful meat. Cook in batches if necessary, especially the chicken, transferring cooked items to a plate as you go.
• Cut Uniformly: Aim for uniformly sized pieces of chicken, shrimp, and vegetables. This ensures everything cooks evenly at roughly the same rate.
• Taste and Adjust: Once the stir fry is complete, always give it a taste. You might want to add a splash more soy sauce for savoriness, a touch more honey for sweetness, or a dash of chili flakes for heat.

Serving Suggestions for Your Stir Fry

This chicken and shrimp stir fry is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides to make it even more satisfying.

• White rice: The classic choice! Fluffy white rice is perfect for soaking up all that delicious stir fry sauce. I often cook large batches of rice at the beginning of the week to have it ready. For ultimate convenience, many grocery stores (like Trader Joe’s) offer organic frozen white rice that simply needs a quick microwave session.
• Noodles: If you prefer noodles, this stir fry is fantastic with a variety of options. Try it with rice noodles (thin vermicelli or wider flat noodles), udon noodles for a chewier texture, or even lo mein noodles. Cook the noodles separately according to package directions and either serve the stir fry over them or toss them directly into the pan with the stir fry at the very end.
• Cauliflower rice: For a lighter, lower-carb alternative, serve your stir fry over cauliflower rice. It’s a great way to boost your vegetable intake and keep the meal lean.
• Quinoa: For a protein-packed, gluten-free grain option, quinoa makes an excellent base.
• Other Sides: Consider serving with a side of crispy spring rolls or egg rolls, steamed edamame, or a simple green salad with a light sesame dressing.

More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this quick and flavorful stir fry, be sure to check out some of our other easy weeknight favorites:

• Juicy Honey Lime Shrimp: A bright and zesty shrimp dish that’s incredibly simple to prepare.
• Juicy Pan-Seared Shrimp: Learn the secrets to perfectly seared shrimp every time.
• Chimichurri Chicken Thighs: A flavorful and herbaceous dish that’s surprisingly easy.