Healthy Homemade Chicken Stir-Fry: A Delicious and Nutritious Meal

Healthy Homemade Chicken Stir-Fry is a popular keyword for those looking to enjoy a tasty yet nutritious meal that can be prepared quickly. This stir-fry combines tender chicken with a variety of colorful vegetables, all seasoned in a savory sauce. It’s not only satisfying but also packed with essential vitamins and minerals.

The dish requires approximately 20 minutes of active cooking time and serves four people generously. Let's dive into the recipe to bring this healthy stir-fry to life!

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for cooking)
• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 large green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 large carrot, julienned
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium optional)
• 2 tablespoons chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening the sauce)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tamari or regular soy sauce for garnish
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional but recommended for garnish)

Instructions

Begin by preparing your ingredients. Slice the bell peppers and julienned carrot according to size. Mince the garlic.

1. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water until it forms a smooth slurry. This will help thicken your stir-fry sauce later.
2. Heat up the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and cook them for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Ensure that the chicken is golden brown on all sides. Remove it from the pan and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed, then sauté the sliced bell peppers and carrots for another 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften but still retain some crispness.
4. Return the chicken back into the skillet along with minced garlic. Pour in soy sauce, chicken broth, and mixed cornstarch slurry. Stir everything together well and let it simmer for about 5 more minutes or until your sauce has thickened appropriately to suit your preference.
5. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding salt, pepper as required. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving hot.

Healthy Homemade Chicken Stir-Fry is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in different ways. It goes wonderfully well with steamed rice or noodles for extra satisfaction. For those who prefer to have it on the side, you could serve this stir-fry over quinoa salad or alongside a simple green vegetable like broccoli.

Nutritional Information

Chicken stir-fry is an excellent source of protein and low in fat when cooked with minimal oil. Bell peppers add vitamin C, carrots contribute beta-carotene, garlic has sulfur compounds which are beneficial for immune health. This dish provides a balanced meal full of essential nutrients.

Tips & Variations

Feel free to adjust the recipe according to your taste preferences or dietary needs:

• Add more vegetables such as zucchini, mushrooms, or bok choy for added color and texture.
• If you prefer a less spicy dish, reduce or omit chili flakes entirely from the stir-fry process.
• For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with tofu. You might want to add more soy sauce in this case since tofu doesn’t naturally have umami flavor like meat does.

Conclusion

A healthy homemade chicken stir-fry is not just about convenience; it's also about enjoying delicious food that nourishes your body. With its quick preparation time and ability to accommodate various ingredient choices, this dish proves incredibly versatile and adaptable. Whether you're looking for an easy weekday dinner or a special weekend treat, this recipe will certainly become one of your favorites.