Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe: A Flavorful Meal for Busy Weeknights

Looking for a quick and delicious chicken stir-fry recipe? This flavorful dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something that not only tastes great but also comes together in no time. With just 30 minutes of cooking time, this stir-fry serves four people perfectly. Let’s dive into the detailed steps to prepare an amazing chicken stir-fry.

To start, gather your ingredients and tools: chicken breasts, vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and cornstarch for thickening. You will also need a wok or large frying pan, spatula, chopping board, knife, and measuring spoons.

Begin by preparing the ingredients. Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips, ensuring they are as uniform as possible. This helps in achieving even cooking throughout. Dice the bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and garlic into small pieces for a more manageable stir-fry texture. If you have fresh ginger, grate it to release its aromatic essence.

Once all ingredients are prepped, heat up your wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add about two tablespoons of sesame oil, which is not only rich in flavor but also adds healthy monounsaturated fats to the dish. Allow the oil to shimmer before adding half a teaspoon of minced ginger and one finely chopped garlic clove for aroma.

Add the chicken strips to the pan or wok in batches if necessary to prevent overcrowding. Stir-fry them until they are lightly browned but still tender on the inside, approximately 3-4 minutes per batch depending on the thickness of your slices. Remove these cooked pieces as they finish cooking and set aside.

Next, pour another tablespoon or so of sesame oil into the pan if needed; you might find it sufficient based on how much of the first layer was absorbed by the chicken. Add half a cup each of diced bell peppers, broccoli florets, and carrots to the wok or pan. Stir-fry until these vegetables just begin to tenderize but still have some crispness left—about two minutes.

Mix one tablespoon soy sauce with a teaspoon of cornstarch in a small bowl; this mixture will serve as the base for your flavorful sauce. When your stir-fried vegetables are done, add them along with their juices back into the pan containing the browned chicken pieces. Pour the sauce over everything and toss well to coat all ingredients evenly.

Let the dish simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly due to the cornstarch acting as a natural thickener. At this stage, you can taste and adjust seasoning if necessary—perhaps adding more soy sauce or a dash of sugar for balance. Once satisfied with how it tastes, remove from heat immediately.

Now comes the fun part: serving time! Serve hot chicken stir-fry over steamed rice or noodles to complete your meal. Garnish with sesame seeds or fresh cilantro sprigs for extra zest and presentation points.

In conclusion, this simple yet delightful chicken stir-fry recipe offers a tasty solution when you need something quick but still satisfying. It’s versatile too; feel free to experiment by adding other vegetables like snow peas or mushrooms according to your preference. Enjoy your homemade meal!