Simple Chicken Stir-Fry with Vegetables

Chicken Stir-Fry with Vegetables is a versatile and delicious meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The combination of tender chicken pieces, crisp vegetables, and flavorful sauce makes this dish a popular choice for quick weeknight dinners or special family gatherings. With minimal ingredients and preparation time, you can whip up this dish in no time!

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

Ingredients You Will Need:

Chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
Fresh vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli
Olive oil or cooking spray for sautéing
Salt and pepper to taste
Garlic and ginger (optional but recommended) - finely chopped
Teriyaki sauce (or any sauce of your choice)
Fresh cilantro, sesame seeds, or soy sauce for garnish (optional)

Steps to Prepare Simple Chicken Stir-Fry with Vegetables:

Start by preparing the chicken. Rinse it under cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring you have a good balance of white meat and some dark meat for flavor.
While your chicken is marinating or resting, prepare your vegetables. Wash all fresh produce thoroughly before cutting them up. Slice bell peppers into strips, thinly slice carrots, and cut broccoli florets to fit nicely in the stir-fry pan.
In a small bowl, mix together the teriyaki sauce with some water if needed for thinning purposes. This will be used as the base of your stir-fry sauce. You can also add other ingredients like soy sauce or oyster sauce to suit your taste preferences.
Heat up a wok or large frying pan over medium-high heat and drizzle in some olive oil or spray it with cooking oil if you prefer not using too much fat. Once the oil is hot, add garlic and ginger for extra flavor (if using). Sauté them until fragrant but not browned.
Add the chicken to the pan immediately after adding aromatics; stir-fry quickly over high heat so that all parts get cooked through thoroughly without breaking down completely. Continue cooking until no pink color remains in the center of each piece, about 5-6 minutes depending on portion size and thickness.
Once done, remove chicken from the pan using a slotted spoon or tongs to set aside while you proceed with adding vegetables next. Stir-fry them separately but briefly since they don't take as long to cook compared to meat. Just until they turn bright green for bell peppers and slightly tender for carrots/broccoli.
Now return the chicken back into the wok/pan along with the prepared sauce mixture. Mix well ensuring that everything is coated evenly before reducing heat down to low. Let it simmer gently while stirring occasionally until thickened according to desired consistency.
If you wish, garnish your final dish with fresh cilantro leaves, toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top, or drizzle soy sauce around the perimeter of plate for additional flavor.

Tips & Variations:

To make this meal even healthier, replace chicken breast meat with leaner cuts such as skinless thighs instead. They will still provide plenty of protein without adding extra calories from fats.
For those who prefer less spice, reduce or omit the amount of garlic and ginger used during preparation. Alternatively, use mild versions if available.

Why Choose This Recipe?

This simple yet satisfying dish offers numerous benefits beyond just its delicious taste. Firstly, it's extremely versatile - you can adjust seasoning based on your personal preference or dietary restrictions such as eliminating salt entirely for those watching their sodium intake closely. Secondly, because stir-frying is quick and straightforward, this meal allows busy individuals to save time without compromising quality or nutrition value.

Moreover, chicken stir-fry with vegetables provides essential nutrients including proteins from the meat combined with vitamins A & C found in bell peppers among others. This balanced nutrient profile supports overall health maintenance when incorporated regularly into one’s diet plan.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Simple Chicken Stir-Fry with Vegetables is a fantastic option for anyone looking to enjoy a quick yet nutritious meal at home. Its simple ingredients list and easy preparation process make it perfect for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike who wish to impress friends and family members. Whether served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish alongside rice noodles, this versatile recipe promises satisfaction on the palate while offering various health benefits.