Perfectly Balanced Meal: A Simple Chicken Stir-Fry with Vegetables

A healthy chicken stir-fry with vegetables is a delightful choice for your dinner menu. This versatile dish can be prepared in just 30 minutes and serves up to four people. It’s a quick, easy meal that you can customize according to your taste preferences and available ingredients. Whether you're looking for an effortless weekday dinner or a family-friendly dish on the weekend, this stir-fry is sure to impress.

The key to any successful stir-fry lies in its simplicity. Begin by selecting fresh chicken breasts for their tenderness and mild flavor. You'll also need a variety of vegetables—such as bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, and broccoli—to add color and nutrients. A little bit of ginger and garlic will add the perfect amount of zing to this dish.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken breasts (about 6 ounces per person)
• 1 cup of mixed vegetables (bell peppers, carrots, snap peas, broccoli)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons ginger, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• Salt to taste (optional)

Steps for Preparation and Cooking

1. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce with cornstarch; this will help thicken your sauce later on.

2. In another bowl or ziplock bag, combine minced ginger and garlic along with salt to taste. Add the chicken pieces and marinate for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

3. While waiting for the marinade time to pass, prepare your vegetables by slicing them into similar sizes so that they cook evenly. Chop the carrots lengthwise into thin strips; cut bell peppers into slices or chunks depending on how crisp you like them; and trim and snap the ends of the snap peas.

4. Heat a wok or large pan over high heat. Once hot, add cooking oil. When the oil is shimmering but not smoking, carefully add the marinated chicken pieces into the pan. Stir-fry until they are golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.

5. Transfer cooked chicken from the wok to a plate and set aside. Wipe out excess oil if necessary; then return the pan to medium heat. Add your chopped vegetables into the pan immediately after cleaning up. Stir-fry until they are tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes.

6. Return the chicken back into the wok or pan along with soy sauce mixture made earlier. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and continue stirring for another minute to let the flavors come together well.

7. Serve immediately over steamed rice, accompanied by a fresh salad if desired. Garnish with sliced green onions for an extra touch of freshness.

Why Choose This Recipe?

This chicken stir-fry is not only quick and easy to prepare but also very healthy. By using lean cuts of chicken such as breast pieces, you ensure a lower fat content in your dish which helps maintain a balanced diet. Adding vibrant vegetables provides essential vitamins and minerals that are vital for good health. Moreover, the preparation process does not require any special equipment beyond what most kitchens already have—just a wok or large frying pan.

The taste is nothing short of delicious too! The combination of savory soy sauce combined with slightly sweet bell peppers creates a delightful contrast in flavors. For those who prefer less spicy food, you can adjust the amount of ginger and garlic according to your preference. This versatile dish works well as part of a balanced meal plan whether served alongside a grain like rice or noodles.

Customization Ideas

If you wish to make this recipe more complex, consider adding some additional ingredients such as water chestnuts for crunchiness or tofu for extra protein. If you have leftovers from another dish, add them into the stir-fry towards the end of cooking for a surprise twist on flavor! Alternatively, try different sauces like hoisin sauce instead of soy sauce to give it an international flavor.

In conclusion, this chicken stir-fry with vegetables is simple yet satisfying. It requires minimal prep time and yields great results every single time you prepare it. Whether enjoyed alone or paired with other dishes, it serves as a delicious cornerstone for many meals throughout the week. So why not try out this recipe at home today and see how much everyone loves it?