How to Make Delicious Chicken and Vegetables Stir-Fry

Chicken and vegetables stir-fry is a versatile meal that can be enjoyed by families with its simple preparation method and ability to cater to different tastes. This dish is perfect for those looking for something quick yet nutritious, requiring minimal effort in the kitchen.

The cooking time for this dish is approximately 20 minutes, and it serves four people comfortably. It’s a great way to use up leftover vegetables or to incorporate seasonal produce into your meal plan.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into thin strips)
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free option)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• (Optional) 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with water for thickening the sauce

Instructions

Start by preparing all your vegetables. Slice the bell peppers, cut the broccoli into florets, and chop the onion. While these are being prepared, slice the chicken breasts into thin strips.

In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce with cornstarch (if using) for the thickening agent. This will help in creating a more substantial gravy that clings nicely to your stir-fried ingredients once cooked.

Heat up 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add half of the chicken strips and cook for about two minutes on each side, ensuring they turn golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Add another tablespoon of oil to the pan; lower the heat slightly if needed before adding all sliced bell peppers and onions along with minced garlic. Stir-fry these vegetables until they start becoming tender but still retain their crispness – this should take around three minutes.

Return the chicken to the pan, followed by the broccoli florets. Pour in the sauce mixture evenly onto everything, stirring gently so as not to break up the chicken pieces too much while still getting good coverage of the veggies and chicken.

Cook for another two-three minutes or until everything is heated through thoroughly. Taste it and add salt and pepper according to your preference before serving immediately with steamed rice or noodles on top.

Tips & Variations

1. Protein Options: You can also use tofu instead of chicken for a vegetarian version, or even mix in some shrimp for added flavor and protein content.
2. Variety in Vegetables: Feel free to experiment with different colored bell peppers or try adding snow peas if you have them on hand. Just ensure all the components are cut into similar sizes so they cook evenly together.
3. Gluten-Free Alternative: Substitute soy sauce with tamari for those who need a gluten-free option.

This simple recipe offers flexibility depending upon what ingredients you have available in your refrigerator or pantry. With just some basic kitchen tools like a wok or large skillet, along with fresh herbs and spices, this dish can be made every week without getting repetitive.