Chicken and Zucchini Stir-fry is one of those simple home cooked dishes that fit perfectly into a busy day. In less than 30 minutes, you can put together a flavorful and nicely balanced dish with tender slices of zucchini and juicy pieces of chicken.

I love this chicken zucchini stir fry recipe because it’s easy to make, nutritionally balanced, and full of fresh flavor. The lean protein from the chicken pairs perfectly with zucchini’s sweet flavor, making it both nourishing and comforting. While this combination isn’t a traditional Chinese recipe, zucchini has gained popularity in recent years and is now appearing more often in everyday home kitchens.

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How to Make Stir-Fried Chicken with Zucchini

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to stir-fry chicken with zucchini. I’ve included as many details as possible; for a shorter, simpler version, you can refer to the recipe card at the end of the post.

Step 1: Prepare and marinate the chicken

1. Slice the chicken breast into thin strips. You can also cut it into bite-sized pieces if you prefer. The shape is up to you and won’t affect the final flavor or cooking method.
2. Place the chicken in a bowl and marinate it with light soy sauce, salt, cornstarch, and Shaoxing wine.
3. Mix everything well so the chicken is evenly coated.
4. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes before cooking.

Why cornstarch matters:

Chicken breast is lean and can become tough when stir-fried at high heat. The cornstarch forms a thin protective coating around the chicken, helping it stay tender and juicy. (Take a look at the sections below if you would like to learn how to keep the chicken breast tender.)

Step 2: Stir-fry the chicken

• Heat some oil in a nonstick pan or large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the marinated chicken strips and stir-fry until both sides turn lightly brown. Cooking over medium or slightly higher heat allows the chicken to brown quickly without overcooking.
• Once the chicken is lightly browned and mostly cooked through, remove it from the pan and set it aside.

Tip: There’s no need to wash the pan. The remaining flavors in the pan will enhance the zucchini and garlic when you stir-fry them next.

Step 3: Prepare the zucchini

1. Wash the zucchini (courgette) thoroughly and trim off both ends.
2. Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise, then slice it into pieces about 0.5 centimeters thick. You can also cut the zucchini into other shapes if you prefer, but this thickness works well for stir-frying because it allows the zucchini to cook quickly while still holding its shape.

Tip: For this chicken and zucchini recipe, I used a combination of green and yellow zucchini. The different colors make the dish look more vibrant, although they don’t affect the final flavor.

Step 4: Oil-blanch the zucchini (optional step)

Oil blanching is a common technique in Chinese cooking that helps maintain the crisp texture of vegetables. (You can read the section below if you would like to learn a little more about oil blanching.)

• To do this, heat some oil in a small pot to about 150°C (300°F). Add the zucchini slices and deep-fry them briefly for about 30 seconds. Quickly remove them from the oil, and continue the same process in batches until all the zucchini is blanched.

Step 5: Sauté the garlic and combine the ingredients

1. Return the same pan used for the chicken pieces to the stove.
2. Add a little oil and sauté the chopped garlic over medium heat until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter. The garlic forms the aromatic base that enhances the flavor of both the chicken and zucchini.
3. Return the cooked chicken and the oil-blanched zucchini to the pan.
4. Stir everything together so the ingredients are evenly combined

Step 6: Season the dish & finish with sesame oil

1. Add light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a pinch of salt to the pan.
2. Stir everything together over high heat for about 30 seconds. The high heat ensures the sauce evenly coats the chicken and zucchini while keeping the vegetables crisp.
3. Once well combined, drizzle in sesame oil and give the dish a final toss. 
4. Turn off the heat and transfer the stir-fried chicken with zucchini to a serving plate.

The dish is now ready to serve.

Tips: 

• Always add sesame oil at the end of cooking to preserve its fragrant aroma.
• You can mix all the seasoning ingredients in a small bowl before adding them to the stir-fry for consistency. If you’re confident, you can also add them directly into the pan one by one during cooking.
  

Why Oil Blanch Zucchini Before Stir-Frying

Oil blanching is a traditional technique commonly used in Chinese cooking, especially when preparing vegetables for stir-frying. Although it may seem like an extra step, it provides several important benefits that improve the final texture of the dish.

1. First, oil blanching helps preserve the natural moisture inside the zucchini. When the zucchini is briefly cooked in hot oil, the surface seals quickly, which helps the vegetable retain its internal moisture during the final stir-frying step.
2. Second, the process partially cooks the zucchini. Because the zucchini is already about halfway cooked, it only needs a very short time in the pan later. This allows the stir-frying process to be quick and prevents the zucchini from turning soggy. It helps maintain a crisp texture.
3. Zucchini contains a large amount of water. If it is stir-fried for too long, the water inside will gradually release into the pan. This can dilute the sauce, making the dish watery.

If you prefer not to oil blanch the zucchini, you can skip this step. Simply stir-fry the zucchini for a longer period in the pan. However, the texture may be slightly softer compared to the oil-blanched version.

Tips to Keep Chicken Breast Tender in Stir-Fry

Chicken breast is a popular ingredient in stir-fries because it is lean, mild in flavor, and cooks quickly. However, because it contains very little fat, it can easily become tough if not prepared properly.

Here are a few tips to ensure you get tender chicken:

Use cornstarch to marinade

Cornstarch is a key ingredient in many Chinese marinades. When mixed with the chicken, it forms a thin coating on the surface of the meat. This coating protects the chicken from direct high heat during stir-frying and helps retain moisture.

This technique is often referred to as “velveting”, which is commonly used in Chinese cooking to keep the meat tender.

Slice the chicken thinly

Cutting the chicken into thin strips or slices allows it to cook very quickly. The faster cooking time reduces the risk of the chicken becoming dry.

Cook over medium-high heat

Stir-frying should be done over relatively high heat so the chicken cooks quickly. If the heat is too low, the chicken may release moisture and become slightly tough before it browns.

Do not overcook the chicken

Once the chicken is lightly browned and mostly cooked, remove it from the pan. It will return to the pan later with the zucchini, so it will finish cooking during the final stir-fry.

Variations of This Chicken Zucchini Stir-Fry

Stir-fried zucchini with chicken is a versatile dish. You can easily adjust the seasonings to your taste and swap or add ingredients to suit what you have on hand. Below are some of my suggestions:

Add ginger for extra aroma

In addition to garlic, you can add a few slices of fresh ginger when sautéing the aromatics. Ginger pairs exceptionally well with chicken, adding a warmer, more fragrant flavor to the dish.

Use chicken thigh instead of chicken breast

If you prefer juicier meat, chicken thighs are a good alternative. It contains slightly more fat and is less likely to dry out during cooking.

Add other vegetables

You can combine zucchini with other quick-cooking vegetables, such as bell peppers, snow peas, carrots, green onions, sesame seeds, and mushrooms, to create a more colorful and nutritionally balanced dish.

Make it slightly spicy

If you enjoy a bit of heat, add sliced fresh chilies or dried chili flakes when sautéing the garlic.

Adjust the sauce

If you prefer a lighter taste, you can reduce the oyster sauce and rely more on light soy sauce for seasoning. 

What to Serve with Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry

This chicken and zucchini stir fry is light, savory, and balanced, so it pairs best with dishes that complement its flavors without overpowering it. 

• Chinese Watercress Soup. The soup is light, refreshing, and packed with vegetables, which balances the savory flavor of the chicken and zucchini.
• Steamed Egg with Minced Meat. The softness of the steamed egg contrasts nicely with the slightly crisp zucchini and tender chicken in the stir fry. 
• Chinese Steamed Fish. A simple Chinese steamed fish is another excellent pairing.