Easy Chicken Stir-Fry

Chicken stir-fry is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by the whole family. It’s quick to prepare, easy to customize according to your taste, and can serve as a satisfying main course or side dish for various meals.

This recipe focuses on creating a simple yet flavorful chicken stir-fry with minimal ingredients but maximum flavor. The key to this dish lies in the balance of savory, sweet, and umami flavors that come together seamlessly. You will need approximately 30 minutes to prepare the chicken stir-fry, and it serves four people.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (optional for extra umami flavor)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening the sauce)
• 4 green onions, sliced into rounds
• 3 carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• Salt to taste
• Vegetable oil for stir-frying

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken. Begin by slicing your chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce (optional), sugar, and cornstarch mixed with water. Stir until well combined to create the marinade. Add the chicken pieces into this mixture and stir gently to ensure all pieces are coated. Let them sit for about 10-15 minutes while you prepare the vegetables.

Step 2: Prepare Vegetables. While your chicken is marinating, wash and prep all vegetables. Slice the carrots diagonally into thin strips, slice the red bell pepper into small pieces, and slice the green onions on an angle to keep them fresh-looking when added later.

Step 3: Heat Oil and Stir-Fry Chicken. Heat up a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of your pan by about 1/4 inch. When the oil is shimmering, add half of the chicken pieces first. Stir-fry them until they turn golden brown on all sides; this should take about 3-4 minutes. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to remove the chicken from heat and set aside.

Step 4: Prepare Sauce. In another small bowl, mix your soy sauce mixture if you haven’t already done so. Once the chicken has cooked, return all of it along with any remaining marinade into the pan. Add garlic cloves for extra flavor and allow the pieces to heat through without browning too much further.

Step 5: Incorporate Vegetables. Next, add your carrots first since they need a bit more cooking time compared to peppers and onions. After about two minutes of stirring, add in the bell pepper and cook until tender but still crisp. Finally, toss in the green onions during the last minute or so to preserve their vibrant color.

Step 6: Thicken Sauce & Serve. Once everything is cooked, pour over your sauce mixture, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens slightly while coating all components evenly. Season with salt if needed before serving immediately onto plates.

Tips for Success

• To achieve better texture and flavor, marinate the chicken properly in advance.
• Ensure that your pan is sufficiently hot when frying so that the chicken gets a nice sear without becoming overly dry.
• The order of adding ingredients matters; start with items requiring longer cooking times before finishing off with lighter vegetables like green onions.

Cooking Time: 30 minutes for preparation and stir-frying.
Servings: 4 servings

Bonus Tip: Nutritional Information

• A serving of this easy chicken stir-fry contains approximately 180 calories per serving, depending on the amount you eat.
• The dish provides a good source of protein from chicken breast and some fiber from bell peppers and carrots. However, it also includes sodium due to soy sauce usage; hence, you may consider reducing salt or switching for low-sodium options based on dietary preferences.

This easy chicken stir-fry recipe offers flexibility in terms of ingredient selection and can be tailored according to personal tastes—whether you prefer spicy over mild dishes or need adjustments for specific diets. Whether enjoyed alone or alongside rice, noodles, or even as a topping for salads, this dish is sure to please everyone around the table!