Perfectly Balanced Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

A delicious chicken stir-fry can be a quick yet healthy meal option that fits into any busy schedule. This versatile dish offers the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it suitable for both lunch and dinner. Today, we’ll explore how to prepare an amazing stir-fry with just a few simple ingredients!

Chicken stir-fry has been popular among home cooks for its ease of preparation and ability to cater to various dietary preferences. It is a dish that can be customized according to individual tastes by adjusting the amount of seasoning, vegetables used, or even protein source.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into thin strips
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 3 carrots, julienned
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for stir-frying

Cooking Time & Servings

This chicken stir-fry requires approximately 25 minutes of active cooking time and serves four people generously.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized strips. Set aside in a bowl.
2. Blanch the vegetables briefly to make them easier to stir-fry without overcooking them. This step ensures that they retain their bright color and crunchiness during cooking. After blanching, transfer these veggies from boiling water into ice-cold water until they are cool enough to handle easily.

Step 2: Marinade the Chicken

3. Mix soy sauce with cornstarch if you want a thicker, more flavorful sauce. Pour this mixture over chicken strips and let them sit for about five minutes to allow flavors to permeate the meat.

Step 3: Stir-Frying

4. In a wok or large frying pan, add enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom by about 1/8 inch. Heat until hot but not smoking.
5. Add minced garlic and stir-fry for a few seconds until fragrant.
6. Turn up the heat under your stir-frying vessel when you are ready to start adding ingredients. Start with the chicken pieces, stirring occasionally so they don’t stick together. Once they turn white on all sides, add the vegetables one by one according to their cooking times (start with carrots and finish off with bell peppers).
7. Once everything is well combined, mix in soy sauce mixture from Step 3.

Step 4: Serve

6. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles if desired. Garnish with sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

The typical serving size of this stir-fry is 4 servings; hence, each portion contains approximately:

• 150 calories
• 2 grams of fat
• 35 grams of carbohydrates
• 25 grams of protein

Tips for Success

To ensure your stir-fry turns out perfectly each time, follow these tips:

• The key to success is using a hot wok or pan. A cold pan will cause the ingredients to steam rather than sear.
• Don’t overcrowd your pan; this can lead to steaming instead of stir-frying. If necessary, cook in batches.

Chicken Stir-Fry is not only tasty but also a great way to use up any leftover vegetables you may have on hand. It’s also incredibly adaptable – feel free to experiment with different types of protein or add more veggies based on your preferences! With this simple recipe, you can enjoy a hearty meal in no time at all.