Ground Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry

Sizzling, aromatic, and bursting with flavor, this Ground Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry transforms simple ingredients into a spectacular weeknight dinner. The tender ground chicken pairs perfectly with crisp-tender zucchini, all enveloped in a savory-sweet sauce that clings to every morsel. Ready in just 20 minutes, this lightning-fast dish delivers the authentic taste of your favorite takeout but with wholesome, fresh ingredients. You’ll learn how to create the perfect balance of textures and flavors while mastering the art of quick, high-heat cooking for an unforgettable Ground Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Ground Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry will quickly become a staple in your dinner rotation for so many reasons. First, it’s incredibly quick—perfect for those busy weeknights when you need something nutritious and satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of lean ground chicken and fresh zucchini creates a beautiful contrast between the tender, protein-rich meat and the slightly crisp, garden-fresh vegetables.

The sauce is where this dish truly shines—umami-rich soy sauce, a hint of sweetness, and aromatic garlic and ginger create layers of flavor that transform these simple ingredients into something crave-worthy. Each bite offers a delightful textural experience: the slight chew of the chicken against the tender-crisp zucchini, all brought together by the silky, flavor-packed sauce that coats every element perfectly.

Best of all, this chicken and zucchini combination is both nutritious and satisfying, providing lean protein and vegetables in a dish that feels indulgent rather than “healthy.” The versatility means you can adjust the heat level, swap ingredients based on what you have on hand, or serve it in multiple ways to keep things interesting.

Ingredients

For this flavorful Ground Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry, you’ll need:

• 1 lb (450g) ground chicken
• 2 medium zucchini (about 1 lb/450g), diced into ½-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• 3 green onions, sliced (white and green parts separated)
• ¼ cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste

The ground chicken should be lean but not completely fat-free, as a little fat helps with flavor. For the zucchini, look for firm, medium-sized ones without blemishes for the best texture in your stir fry. The combination of fresh ginger and garlic creates the aromatic foundation that makes this dish so irresistible.

Pro Tips

Use a Hot Wok or Pan: The secret to perfect stir fry is high heat and quick cooking. Preheat your wok or large skillet until it’s very hot before adding any ingredients. This creates that characteristic “wok hei” or breath of the wok—the slightly smoky, charred flavor that distinguishes great stir fries from good ones. If your pan isn’t hot enough, you’ll end up steaming rather than stir-frying, resulting in soggy vegetables and less flavorful meat.

Cook in Batches: One common mistake is overcrowding the pan. For this Ground Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry, cook the chicken first until just done, remove it, then cook the zucchini separately. This ensures each component cooks properly—the chicken stays tender and the zucchini maintains some crispness. Overcrowding leads to steaming and uneven cooking, which ruins the varied textures that make stir fries so appealing.

Prep Everything Before Heating the Pan: Stir frying moves quickly, so having all ingredients prepped and within arm’s reach is crucial. Create a mise en place with your chopped vegetables, mixed sauce ingredients, and cornstarch slurry before you even turn on the heat. This prevents burning or overcooking while you’re still chopping ingredients. For this chicken zucchini dish specifically, having the sauce pre-mixed allows you to add it at just the right moment when both the meat and vegetables are perfectly cooked.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Before turning on any heat, prepare all your ingredients. Mix the sauce by combining soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small bowl. In a separate small bowl, create your cornstarch slurry. Chop all vegetables and have them ready in separate piles. Pat the ground chicken dry with paper towels—this helps it brown better rather than steam.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Chicken
Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates immediately upon contact. Add half the vegetable oil and swirl to coat. Add the ground chicken, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for about 4-5 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink and starts to brown in spots. Avoid stirring constantly—give it time to develop some caramelization. Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate.

Step 3: Stir Fry the Aromatics and Vegetables
Return the wok to high heat and add the remaining oil. Add the white parts of the green onions, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Stir quickly for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the diced zucchini and stir fry for 2-3 minutes until the zucchini is bright green and crisp-tender. You want the zucchini to retain some bite—it will continue cooking slightly after this stage.

Step 4: Combine and Finish with Sauce
Return the cooked ground chicken to the pan with the zucchini. Add the red pepper flakes if using. Pour in the sauce mixture and stir to combine everything well. Let it bubble for about 30 seconds, then add the cornstarch slurry. Stir continuously as the sauce thickens, which should take about 1 minute. Once the sauce is glossy and clings to the ingredients, remove from heat.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle the green parts of the scallions over the Ground Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry. For an extra touch, add a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately over steamed rice, cauliflower rice, or noodles while everything is hot and the sauce is at its perfect consistency.

Variations

Spicy Szechuan Style: Transform your Ground Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry into a mouth-tingling experience by adding 1-2 tablespoons of Szechuan peppercorns (lightly toasted and ground) and 2-3 dried red chilies to the oil when cooking your aromatics. Add a tablespoon of chili garlic sauce to the stir fry sauce for extra heat. This variation creates a delicious numbing-spicy sensation that’s characteristic of Szechuan cuisine and pairs beautifully with the mild zucchini and chicken.

Veggie-Packed Version: For an even more nutritious spin, add 1 cup of sliced mushrooms, 1 diced bell pepper, and 1 cup of snap peas along with the zucchini. This colorful variation of the chicken zucchini stir fry increases the vegetable content while adding different textures and nutrients. The mushrooms in particular add a meaty umami quality that complements the ground chicken perfectly.

Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Make this dish keto-compatible by replacing the honey/brown sugar with 1-2 teaspoons of monk fruit sweetener or erythritol. Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and increase the sesame oil to 2 teaspoons for extra flavor. Skip the cornstarch slurry and instead let the sauce reduce naturally to thicken slightly. This low-carb version of the ground chicken and vegetable stir fry maintains all the flavor while fitting into a ketogenic eating plan.

Storage and Serving

This Ground Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually continue to develop overnight, making leftovers particularly delicious. When reheating, add a splash of water and warm gently in a skillet or microwave until just hot to prevent the chicken from becoming tough. I don’t recommend freezing this dish, as the zucchini will become mushy when thawed.

For serving, present this vibrant stir fry over a bed of jasmine rice, which soaks up the savory sauce beautifully. For a lower-carb option, serve over cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles. For a complete meal, pair with a simple side like miso soup, a cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar, or some steamed edamame tossed with sea salt.

For a fun presentation, serve in lettuce cups or butter lettuce leaves as wraps—this interactive serving style is perfect for family dinners. The bright flavors of this chicken and zucchini combination also pair beautifully with a crisp Asian slaw on the side.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?
Absolutely! Ground turkey works perfectly in this stir fry and has a similar mild flavor profile. You can also use ground pork for a slightly richer version, or even crumbled tofu for a vegetarian adaptation.

My zucchini always turns out soggy. How can I prevent this?
The key is high heat and quick cooking. Make sure your pan is very hot before adding the zucchini, and don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook the zucchini for just 2-3 minutes until it’s bright green but still has some bite to it. Remember that it will continue cooking slightly when you add the sauce.

Can I make this stir fry ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep all ingredients ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. The sauce can be mixed and stored for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to cook, the actual stir frying will take less than 10 minutes.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written, as soy sauce contains wheat. However, you can easily make it gluten-free by substituting tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce. Double-check that your cornstarch is processed in a gluten-free facility.

What can I do if my sauce is too thin?
If your sauce isn’t thickening properly, mix an additional teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and add it to the pan. Make sure the mixture comes to a simmer after adding the slurry, as cornstarch needs heat to activate its thickening properties.

Conclusion

This Ground Chicken and Zucchini Stir Fry is weeknight cooking at its finest — quick, nutritious, and packed with satisfying flavors that will make you forget all about takeout. It’s the kind of dish that proves simple ingredients can create extraordinary meals when treated with the right techniques. Whether you’re looking for a fast dinner solution or trying to incorporate more vegetables and lean protein into your diet, this versatile stir fry delivers on all fronts. Master this recipe, and you’ll have a reliable, delicious meal you can customize endlessly to suit your family’s preferences and what’s available in your kitchen.

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