Easy Chicken Stir-Fry with Vegetables: A Quick Weeknight Dinner

Introduction: Looking for a simple yet delicious meal that can be prepared quickly and enjoyed by the whole family? This easy chicken stir-fry recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. It requires minimal preparation time, making it ideal for those with hectic schedules.

This dish features succulent chicken strips accompanied by an array of colorful vegetables such as bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, and broccoli. The stir-fried ingredients are tossed in a savory sauce that enhances the natural flavors of each component. This recipe promises not only satisfaction but also nutritional benefits due to its combination of lean protein (chicken) and vitamins from the vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 1 cup snap peas
• 1 large carrot, julienned
• 1 small head of broccoli, cut into florets
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil for stir-frying (optional)

Preparation:

1. Pound the chicken breasts until they are thin and even. This step ensures that the chicken cooks uniformly.
2. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce with cornstarch to create a thickening agent for the sauce.
3. Heat up 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
4. Add the pounded chicken strips and sauté until they are golden brown on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
5. In the same pan, add additional oil if needed, then stir-fry all vegetables until they reach your desired level of doneness but still retain some crispness.
6. Return the chicken to the pan and mix everything together carefully so that every piece gets coated with the sauce. Add minced garlic for extra flavor.
7. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 2 minutes more, allowing flavors to meld nicely before serving.

Cooking Time: Approximately 15-20 minutes total time including preparation and cooking steps.

Servings: Serves four as a main course or six if served alongside rice or noodles.

Tips for Success

• For best results, make sure that your chicken pieces are thin and consistent. This ensures even cooking throughout all parts of the piece.
• If possible, prepare some of the ingredients ahead of time so you can focus on just assembling everything together when it's time to start cooking.
• The more fresh vegetables you use, the better! Fresh produce brings out brighter colors and stronger flavors in your stir-fry.

Conclusion:

A delicious and nutritious dinner option like this easy chicken stir-fry with vegetables can quickly become a favorite go-to meal for any household. Whether you're looking to impress guests or simply enjoy a tasty home-cooked meal after work, this dish checks all the boxes. Its simplicity combined with versatility allows it to fit seamlessly into various dietary preferences such as gluten-free, dairy-free, and even vegetarian options by substituting chicken with tofu.