Gluten-Free Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Gluten-Free Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Julia

This vibrant gluten-free chicken and vegetable stir-fry brings together tender pieces of chicken breast with a colorful medley of crisp vegetables, all coated in a savory Asian-inspired sauce. The key to achieving restaurant-quality results at home lies in using tamari or coconut aminos instead of traditional soy sauce, making this dish completely gluten-free without sacrificing any of the umami-rich flavor you crave.

Stir-frying is an ancient Chinese cooking technique that has become beloved worldwide for its ability to create delicious, healthy meals in minutes. The high heat and quick cooking time ensure that vegetables retain their crisp texture and vibrant colors while the chicken stays tender and juicy. This method also requires minimal oil, making it a naturally lighter option for dinner.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility and convenience. You can easily customize the vegetables based on what's in season or what you have on hand, and the entire dish comes together in under 30 minutes from start to finish. The sauce, made with gluten-free tamari, fresh ginger, and garlic, creates a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and savory notes that coat every ingredient beautifully.

Serve this stir-fry over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or gluten-free noodles for a complete meal that's satisfying, nutritious, and bursting with flavor. It's perfect for busy weeknights when you want something homemade and healthy without spending hours in the kitchen.

Nutrition

25 minutes
None servings
325 calories
Fat 14.00g
Carbs 22.00g
Protein 32.00g

Ingredients

1.5 lbsboneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/4 cupgluten-free tamari or coconut aminos
2 tbsprice vinegar
1 tbsphoney
1 tbspcornstarch
1 tspsesame oil
3 tbspvegetable oil, divided
1 tbspfresh ginger, minced
3 clovesgarlic cloves, minced
2 mediumbell peppers, cut into strips (mixed colors)
2 cupsbroccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cupsnap peas, trimmed
2 mediumcarrots, sliced diagonally
4 stalksgreen onions, sliced
1/2 tspsalt
1/4 tspblack pepper
1 tbspsesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
Whisk
measuring spoons
measuring cups
wooden spoon or spatula
small mixing bowl
chef's knife
serving platter
large wok or large skillet

16:8 Diet

This balanced stir-fry is excellent for the 16:8 eating window, providing lean protein, fiber-rich vegetables, and sustained energy to help meet daily nutritional needs within the compressed timeframe. The combination of protein and vegetables promotes satiety and stable blood sugar throughout the fasting period.

80/20 Diet

This recipe perfectly embodies the 80/20 principle with nutrient-dense whole foods—lean chicken, colorful vegetables, fresh ginger and garlic—comprising well over 80% of the ingredients, while small amounts of honey and cornstarch add flavor and texture without compromising nutritional quality.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh chicken breast, colorful vegetables, and simple seasonings like fresh ginger and garlic. It avoids refined sugars, artificial additives, and heavily processed ingredients while using natural flavor enhancers and healthy cooking methods.

Diabetic Diet

This stir-fry is diabetic-friendly with low-glycemic vegetables, lean protein that doesn't spike blood sugar, and only 1 tablespoon of honey distributed across multiple servings for minimal impact. The high fiber content from vegetables and protein from chicken help maintain stable blood glucose levels.

Flexible Dieting

This stir-fry fits flexible dieting perfectly with its balanced whole food ingredients—lean protein, vegetables, and moderate healthy fats—that can be easily measured and tracked. The recipe demonstrates how nutritious, satisfying meals can fit into any macro plan while emphasizing quality ingredients.

Gluten-Free Diet

This stir-fry is completely gluten-free by using tamari or coconut aminos instead of traditional soy sauce, and cornstarch as a thickener. All other ingredients—chicken, vegetables, rice vinegar, and oils—are naturally gluten-free, making this a safe and flavorful option for those avoiding gluten.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe supports heart health with lean chicken breast, abundant vegetables rich in antioxidants and fiber, and minimal added fats from heart-healthy oils. The dish avoids saturated fats, processed ingredients, and excessive sodium while providing nutrients that support cardiovascular wellness.

High-Protein Diet

With 1.5 pounds of lean chicken breast serving 4-6 people, this stir-fry delivers approximately 30-45 grams of high-quality protein per serving, making it ideal for high-protein diets. The lean poultry provides complete amino acids while the vegetables add nutrients without excessive calories.

IIFYM (If It Fits Your Macros)

This balanced stir-fry provides easily trackable macronutrients with lean protein from chicken breast, complex carbohydrates from vegetables, and controlled fats from cooking oils. The recipe uses whole food ingredients with clear measurements, making it simple to calculate and fit into personalized macro targets.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense stir-fry is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and abundant vegetables that promote satiety and stable blood sugar levels throughout fasting periods. The balanced macronutrients and whole food ingredients maximize nutritional value during limited eating times.

Intuitive Eating

This vibrant stir-fry honors intuitive eating principles by offering a satisfying, balanced meal with varied textures, colors, and flavors that provide both nourishment and pleasure. The recipe focuses on wholesome ingredients without restriction or guilt-based language, supporting a positive relationship with food.

Macro Diet

Perfect for macro tracking, this stir-fry delivers substantial lean protein from chicken, moderate carbohydrates from vegetables, and controlled healthy fats. The precise measurements and whole food ingredients make it easy to calculate and log macronutrient ratios for flexible dieting goals.

Mindful Eating

This colorful stir-fry is ideal for mindful eating with its variety of textures (crisp vegetables, tender chicken), vibrant colors (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots), and aromatic ingredients (ginger, garlic, sesame) that engage multiple senses. The quick-cooking method preserves the vegetables' natural crunch and colors, encouraging slow, conscious appreciation of each bite.

Weight Watchers

This recipe aligns with Weight Watchers principles by featuring lean chicken breast, abundant non-starchy vegetables, and minimal added fats. The focus on whole, unprocessed ingredients and vegetable-forward preparation makes it a satisfying, nutrient-dense meal that supports weight management goals.

Instructions

1

In a small bowl, whisk together the tamari, rice vinegar, honey, cornstarch, and sesame oil until the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Set the sauce aside.

2 min
2

Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper, tossing to coat evenly.

1 min
3

Heat a large wok or skillet over high heat until very hot. Add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and swirl to coat the pan.

2 min
4
6 min

Add the chicken pieces to the hot wok in a single layer. Let them sear without stirring for 2 minutes, then stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

5
1 min

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the wok. Add the minced ginger and garlic, and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

6
3 min

Add the carrots and broccoli to the wok. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften slightly but remain crisp.

7
2 min

Add the bell peppers and snap peas to the wok. Continue stir-frying for another 2 minutes until all vegetables are crisp-tender.

8

Return the cooked chicken to the wok with the vegetables. Add the green onions and toss everything together.

1 min
9
2 min

Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Toss continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats everything evenly.

10

Remove from heat and transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired and serve immediately.

1 min

Frequently Asked Questions