Chicken and Yellow Squash Stir Fry (Easy 20-Minute Dinner)

Chicken and Yellow Squash Stir Fry is a quick and easy dinner made with juicy chicken thighs, tender yellow squash, and a simple garlic soy sauce. It's light, flavorful, and comes together in just 20 minutes - perfect for busy weeknights.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This
• How to Cut Yellow Squash
• Ingredients (What you'll need)
• How to cook Chicken and Yellow Squash Stir Fry
• Storage & Reheating
• FAQ
• Chicken and Yellow Squash Stir Fry
• More Delicious Chicken Stir Fry Recipes
• Pin for later!

Why You'll Love This

• Ready in about 20 minutes
• Uses simple, everyday ingredients
• Light but still flavorful and satisfying
• Great way to use up fresh summer squash
• Easy to customize with other vegetables

How to Cut Yellow Squash

There are a few different ways to cut yellow squash for stir fry, depending on the texture you want:

Sliced (Half Moons)

• Cut the squash lengthwise, then slice into half moons
• Cooks quickly and evenly
• Great for simple, quick stir fries

👉 Best for: beginners and fast cooking

Cubed

• Cut into bite-sized chunks or cubes
• Holds its shape a bit more during cooking
• Slightly firmer texture

👉 Best for: chunkier, heartier stir fries

Roll Cut (滾刀切)

• Cut at an angle, then roll the squash slightly and cut again
• Creates irregular, angled pieces with more surface area

👉 Best for: stir fries - the pieces absorb more sauce and have better texture

Pro Tip

Try to keep the pieces similar in size so they cook evenly. For stir fry, you want the squash to be tender but not mushy.

@ohsnapletseat

Chicken and yellow squash stir fry 🍗🥒✨ This is one of those simple, go-to meals you can make any night of the week. Juicy chicken, tender squash, and a light savory sauce that comes together so fast 🙌 👉 Full recipe in bio! #chickenstirfry #yellowsquash #summersquash #asiancooking #chinesefoodrecipe

♬ Café Charm Bossa Nova - Bossa Chill

Ingredients (What you'll need)

Here's what you need to make this tasty meal!

Chicken Marinade

• 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, sliced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing rice wine
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Stir Fry

• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
• 2 medium yellow squash, sliced into half moons
• 1-2 tablespoons oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions

Optional Add-Ins (Highly Recommended)

• Splash of water (if you want more sauce)
• Drizzle of sesame oil

How to cook Chicken and Yellow Squash Stir Fry

Marinate the chicken
In a bowl, mix chicken with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, sugar, and freshly cracked black pepper. Let sit for about 10 minutes.

Cook the chicken
Heat oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and chicken, and cook until browned and mostly cooked through. Remove and set aside.

Cook the squash
In the same pan, add yellow squash and cook for 2-3 minutes, until just tender.

Combine and season
Return chicken to the pan and add oyster sauce and chopped green onions. Stir everything together until well coated and heated through.

Remove from heat and serve!

Storage & Reheating

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days
• For best results, reheat in a pan over medium heat until warmed through
• You can also microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through

👉 Note: The squash will soften more as it sits, which is normal

Can You Freeze It?

• You can freeze it, but the texture of the squash may become softer after thawing
• For best results, enjoy fresh or refrigerate instead of freezing

FAQ

Can I use zucchini instead of yellow squash?

Yes! Zucchini works great and is very similar in texture and flavor.

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, but be careful not to overcook it so it stays tender and juicy.

How do I keep the squash from getting mushy?

Cook it toward the end and avoid overcooking - it should be just tender.

Can I add other vegetables?

Definitely. Mushrooms, broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas all work well.

Is this dish spicy?

No, but you can add chili oil, chili crisp, or red pepper flakes if you want heat.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes! You can prep the ingredients ahead or reheat leftovers easily.

More Delicious Chicken Stir Fry Recipes

If you enjoyed this chicken and yellow squash stir fry, here are more easy and flavorful chicken stir fry recipes to try:

• Chicken Noodle Stir Fry (Easy & Flavorful Recipe)
  Tender chicken, noodles, and vegetables tossed in a savory sauce - a quick 30-minute dinner that's better than takeout.
• Cauliflower Chicken Stir Fry
  A lighter option with marinated chicken, crisp cauliflower, and carrots in a simple, savory sauce.
• Chinese Chicken Cabbage Stir Fry
  Chicken stir fried with garlic, mushrooms, and cabbage for a comforting and flavorful home-style dish.
• Spicy Sichuan Chicken Stir Fry with Garlic and Chilies
  Bold, spicy, and packed with flavor - perfect if you love heat and classic Sichuan flavors.

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