Lemon Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry in Under 30 minutes (Clean Ingredients and Soy Free)

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There is nothing better than a fresh, zesty dinner that comes together in under 30 minutes. Stir-fries are a staple for busy weeknights, but traditional versions are often loaded with seed oils and soy. This Lemon Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry is my go-to “Good Stuff” meal when I want something that feels light but is packed with flavor.

This recipe uses a few simple techniques-like snapping your asparagus instead of cutting it-to ensure every bite is tender and delicious.

The Good Stuff Ingredient Swaps

Before we heat up the skillet, let’s talk about how we’re cleaning up this classic dish. Check out the links below for full post about why I choose these ingredients!

The Sauce: Traditional stir-fry sauce relies on soy sauce. We are using Coconut Aminos instead. It gives you that same savory “umami” flavor but keeps the dish gluten-free and soy-free.
The Oil: Most restaurant stir-fries use vegetable or soybean oil. For high-heat cooking like this, Avocado Oil is a fantastic “Simple Swap” because it has a high smoke point and a clean ingredient profile.
The Aromatics: We are using fresh, USA-grown garlic. As I’ve shared before, domestic garlic is often more flavorful and avoids the bleaching, processing and some really crazy things that go on with imported varieties.

✨Good Stuff Tip: Snap Your Asparagus! To get the most tender results, hold a spear near the very bottom with one hand and a few inches further up with the other. Bend it gently until it snaps. The asparagus will naturally break exactly where the tough, woody end meets the tender stalk. It’s nature’s way of telling you exactly where the “Good Stuff” starts!

Holding a fresh green asparagus spear with both hands to find the natural breaking point at the woody end.

A pile of fresh, naturally snapped asparagus spears ready for cooking, showing the clean break without using a knife.

Snapping the bottom off a stalk of asparagus by hand to ensure only the tender portion is used for the stir fry.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken & Sauce

Lightly season your chicken cubes with salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and coconut aminos. In a second small bowl, whisk the cornstarch or arrowroot and water until smooth to create your slurry.

Step 2: Sauté the Asparagus

Heat a large non-stick wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of avocado oil. Add the asparagus and cook until tender-crisp (about 3–4 minutes).

Sautéing fresh asparagus and minced garlic in a stainless steel skillet for a healthy lemon chicken stir fry.

Step 3: The Garlic

Add the chopped garlic to the asparagus and cook until golden and fragrant (about 1 minute). Remove everything from the pan and set aside.

Step 4: Brown the Chicken

Increase the heat to high. Add another teaspoon of oil and half of the chicken. Cook until browned and cooked through (about 4 minutes per side). Remove and repeat with the remaining chicken.

Step 5: Thicken & Serve

Pour the broth mixture into the hot pan and bring to a boil for 1-2 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice and the cornstarch slurry. Once it simmers and thickens, return the chicken and asparagus to the pan. Toss to coat and serve immediately!

A vibrant serving of lemon chicken stir fry with tender asparagus in a white bowl, garnished with fresh lemon slices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen asparagus?

I highly recommend fresh for this recipe. Frozen asparagus tends to hold more water, which can make the stir-fry soggy instead of “tender-crisp.”

What if I don’t have coconut aminos?

You can use a gluten-free tamari, but keep in mind that coconut aminos are naturally a bit sweeter, so you may want to adjust your lemon juice to balance the saltiness.

How do I store leftovers?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This is a great meal-prep option because the lemon and garlic flavors actually deepen the next day!

Does this fit into a keto, low carb or whole 30 diet?

It can fit into all 3! Just be sure to use arrow root powder instead of cornstarch and you’ll be good to go!

More Asparagus Recipes!

Lemon Garlic Chicken & Asparagus Stir-Fry

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

A fresh, clean-label stir-fry featuring tender chicken and asparagus tossed in a zesty lemon garlic sauce. Made with avocado oil and coconut aminos, it’s a healthy, soy-free dinner the whole family will love.

Ingredients

1 ½ lbs Skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
Kosher salt, to taste
1 cup Chicken broth
4 tbsp Coconut aminos
3 tsp Cornstarch (or arrowroot powder)
4 tbsp Water
1 tbsp Avocado oil, divided
1 bunch Asparagus, ends snapped and cut into 2-inch pieces
4 cloves Garlic, chopped
3 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
Fresh black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prep: Season chicken with salt. Mix broth and aminos in one bowl; mix cornstarch and water in another.
Sauté Veggies: Heat wok on medium-high with 1 tsp oil. Sauté asparagus for 3-4 mins. Add garlic for 1 min, then remove and set aside.
Cook Chicken: Increase heat to high. Use remaining oil to brown chicken in two batches (4 mins per side). Remove and set aside.
Reduce Sauce: Add aminos mixture to the pan. Boil for 1.5 minutes.
Finish: Stir in lemon juice and cornstarch mixture. Once simmering, return chicken and veggies to the pan. Toss and serve.

Notes

For more recipes like this, check out thegoodstuffbakeshop.com!

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 117Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 467mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 10g

Nutrition information is calculated automatically as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Accuracy is not guaranteed as values can vary based on specific brands and preparation methods used.