I love Asian-inspired food. What I don’t love is how quickly it turns into a sugar-and-starch situation when you’re eating keto. Even dishes that sound safe usually aren’t — sauces are sweetened, thickeners sneak in, and suddenly you’re way off plan and out of ketosis.
This keto chicken stir fry is one of those recipes that solves that problem without turning into a whole production. It’s fast, flexible, and actually realistic for a busy weeknight.
I’ve shared a few other Asian-inspired low carb recipes over the years as well, including General Tso’s Meatballs and Keto Asian Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce, but this chicken stir fry is by far one of the fastest and most flexible options for a busy weeknight.
The secret weapon here is bagged broccoli slaw — one of the most underutilized keto-friendly vegetables in the grocery store. It doesn’t taste strongly of broccoli, it holds up well to high heat, and it’s surprisingly low in carbs (about 3g net carbs per ¾ cup). You’ll find it in the produce section, already washed and prepped, which saves a ton of time.
Because most of the vegetables come from the slaw mix, this low carb chicken stir fry comes together incredibly quickly. From start to finish, it takes about 15 minutes, including prep. Faster than takeout, and without the mystery ingredients.
This recipe is naturally low carb and gluten free, hearty enough to stand alone as a full meal, and easy to work into a weekly meal prep rotation. It’s featured in the Week Three Keto Menu Plan, alongside other simple, repeat-friendly meals designed for consistency.
Simple ingredients, bold flavor, and no post-meal regret — exactly how keto dinners should be.
Why This Keto Chicken Stir Fry Works
- Ready in about 15 minutes
- Uses store-bought broccoli slaw to cut prep time way down
- Naturally low carb and gluten free
- Easy to double for meal prep
- No specialty ingredients or complicated techniques
Easy Swaps & Variations
This recipe is flexible, so feel free to adjust based on what you have:
- Chicken thighs can be swapped for chicken breast if you prefer
- Add sliced bell peppers or mushrooms if your carb budget allows
- Serve over cauliflower rice or enjoy it on its own
Keto Chicken Stir Fry (Gluten Free)
- Total Time: 14 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
An easy low carb chicken stir fry that takes only 15 minutes to make!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup gluten free soy sauce (tamari)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar substitute
- 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
- 2 heaping cups bagged broccoli slaw mix
- 1/2 cup chopped scallions
Instructions
- Slice the chicken thighs into thin pieces or strips.
- In a large saute pan, stir fry the chicken and minced ginger in the sesame oil for 2 – 3 minutes.
- Add the soy sauce, water, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, sugar substitute, and xanthan gum.
- Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the slaw and the scallions and toss to coat – simmer for 2 minutes or until al dente. Don’t overcook or it will be mushy.
Notes
Approx nutrition info per serving: 219 calories, 10g fat, 5.5g net carbs, 19g protein
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Category: keto dinner recipes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 1/2 cups or half the batch
- Calories: 219
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Protein: 19g
Kesha says
This looks amazing! I’m going to make it this week for my lunch meal prep! Thanks!
Hélène says
Fry it in coconut oil and then drizzle some sesame oil on each serving. Sesame DOES give a good flavor but I dont cook with it either. If you dont like the coconut taste, use butter. I use bacon grease alot too…tastes great in Asian dishes!
Bonnie says
This was awesome! I’ve been wanting to use broccoli slaw in a low carb recipe but my husband hates veggies. I finally decided I’ll just make whatever I want and if the family doesn’t like it they can make their own food. Well, my husband gobbled this up! It was very surprising. It will be a regular in my house now. :)
Chicken+Thigh+Recipes+Gluten+Free says
Low Carb Chicken Stir Fry looks so delicious! Will try this for dinner tonight. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Chicken Recipes
Melody Moss says
I made this recipe last night and everyone loved it. I used grilled chicken breasts. There were no leftovers:).
Vina says
I love this recipie! but I heard something really scary about heating sesame oil! I heard that it releases toxins that could harm you, do you happen to know of this is true or not?
Mellissa Sevigny says
Never heard of that Vina but I’ll have to look into it, thanks for sharing! If you don’t want to heat it you can definitely add it in at the end for the flavor!
Meredith says
I’m new to your site but really like it! what do you use for “sugar substitute?” Can arrowroot powder be subbed for xantham gum? Thank you for the great recipes!!!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Hi Meredith and welcome to IBIH! I sometimes use a xylitol blend called Ideal, and other times I use sucralose granulated because my husband prefers the taste of it. But you can use whatever you like, many bloggers use swerve which is erythritol and swear by it!
Colleen says
Made this tonight. It was really good. I used white meat chicken and added some blanched broccoli. Hubs even liked it!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks for letting me know Colleen – especially that it passed the husband test! :)
Amanda says
That looks so good! I love broccoli slaw. I use it all the time for broccoli salad because I’m too lazy to cut up broccoli into small pieces.
Mellissa Sevigny says
SO many uses for this bagged slaw mix, I can’t wait to experiment with it more and I love how easy it makes the prep work!
Dawn says
Can’t wait was curious, how many ounces of chicken thighs for the recipe? Thank you for all you do.
Mellissa Sevigny says
It will vary a little depending on the size you’re using. I didn’t measure by ounces, just used 2 boneless thighs.
Jan says
I love broccoli slaw! This looks like a great way to use it and get my Asian food fix :)
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks Jan, hope you enjoy this one!
Sinon says
Web done have the strew here in Australia can I make my own somehow?