Perfectly Balanced Recipes for a Nutritious Meal

In today’s fast-paced world, finding delicious yet nutritious meals can be quite challenging. However, with the right recipe, you can enjoy both the taste and health benefits of your food. Let's explore a simple yet satisfying recipe that focuses on balanced nutrition – a Chicken Stir-Fry with Steamed Vegetables.

Chicken Stir-Fry is not only a favorite for its flavor but also because it allows for quick cooking in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy nights or days when you need to prepare meals fast. The recipe serves four people and can be easily adjusted according to the number of guests you are expecting.

Ingredients:

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 carrot cut into matchsticks
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
• Salt to taste (optional)

Instructions:

1. Start by marinating the chicken. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, cornstarch, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Add the chicken breasts to this mixture and let them sit for at least 15 minutes.
2. In the meantime, prepare your vegetables. Wash and chop the broccoli florets, cut the carrot into thin matchsticks, and shred the cabbage finely.
3. Heat up a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Once heated, pour in the olive oil or vegetable oil. Allow it to shimmer before adding the chicken breasts.
4. Stir-fry the chicken until it turns opaque, which should take about 5-7 minutes depending on your preferred doneness. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
5. Next, add the vegetables to the same skillet or wok. Stir-fry them for another 3-4 minutes until they begin to wilt slightly.
6. To make a quick sauce while the vegetables are cooking, combine soy sauce, cornstarch, garlic powder, ginger powder, and water in a small bowl. Stir well until the mixture is smooth. Pour this sauce into the pan with the stir-fried vegetables. Cook for another minute or two to let everything come together.
7. Return the chicken breasts back into the skillet or wok. Mix gently but thoroughly so that all pieces of meat are coated evenly in the sauce and vegetables.
8. Once fully heated through, check seasoning with salt if necessary. Remove from heat immediately after adjusting flavors as they continue to cook slightly upon removal due to residual heat.

Cooking Time: Total preparation time required for this dish is approximately 40 minutes including marination and waiting periods between steps.

Servings: This recipe yields enough servings for four people, but can be easily doubled or halved depending on your needs. Adjust the quantities of ingredients accordingly.

Nutritional Benefits

This Chicken Stir-Fry offers a variety of nutrients essential for maintaining good health. Poultry such as chicken provides protein which helps build and repair tissues in our bodies. It also contains vitamin B6, which contributes to normal immune function. The vegetables included are rich sources of vitamins A, C, K, and fiber. All these contribute significantly towards overall wellness.

Incorporating balanced meals like Chicken Stir-Fry into your diet helps ensure you receive all necessary nutrients without overloading on fats or sugars commonly found in many other quick meal options available today.

Whether you're looking for something new to try during dinner time or want an easy go-to option when planning meals ahead, this Chicken Stir-Fry paired with steamed vegetables is sure to delight both your palate and body. Try it out tonight and experience its delightful flavors along with the benefits it brings!