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Quick & Easy Chicken Stir-Fry: A Flavorful Meal in Minutes
Chicken stir-fry is one of the most popular and versatile recipes out there. It's a quick meal that can be served with rice or noodles, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners. This dish combines tender chicken strips with colorful vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and snap peas in a savory sauce. It’s easy to prepare and has endless variations depending on your preferences. Let’s dive into the details of how to make this delicious meal!
Preparation Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into strips)
- 1 large red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
- 1 medium onion, sliced thinly
- 10 oz snap peas, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ginger, grated or finely chopped (optional)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Rice or steamed noodles (optional)
Instructions
Start by preparing all your ingredients. Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips, and cut the bell pepper, onion, and snap peas to appropriate sizes for stir-frying.
In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper until well combined. Set this mixture aside as your marinade for the chicken strips.
Heat up 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the chicken strips to the pan. Stir-fry them until they turn opaque and are no longer pink inside, about 5-6 minutes. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan as this will lead to steaming instead of stir-frying.
Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Wipe out any excess oil from the skillet with paper towels if necessary.
In the same pan, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add garlic and ginger to infuse flavors; sauté until fragrant but not browned, about 1-2 minutes. Then add the sliced onions and bell peppers into the skillet. Stir-fry them for about 5 minutes until they start becoming tender.
Return the cooked chicken strips to the pan along with snap peas. Pour in the sauce mixture over everything, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens slightly and coats all ingredients evenly. This should take around 4-5 minutes. If you like a bit more heat, you can add a little bit of chili flakes at this stage.
Taste the dish for seasoning adjustments before serving. You might need to add salt or pepper depending on personal preferences.
Once ready, serve your Chicken Stir-Fry over rice or steamed noodles if desired. Enjoy hot and fresh out of the pan!
Tips for Success
- To ensure even cooking, make sure you slice the chicken breast into thin strips before stir-frying.
- For best texture, blanch snap peas in boiling water for about 1 minute to soften them slightly before adding them to the stir-fry. Alternatively, they can also be lightly steamed if preferred.
- If you are watching your calorie intake or prefer a lighter dish, use less oil when cooking and opt for low sodium soy sauce as well as reduced sugar oyster sauce options available in stores nowadays.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Total Carbohydrate: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
Variations and Extensions
If you want to expand on this basic recipe, here are some fun alternatives:
- Add more vegetables such as carrots or broccoli. Feel free to experiment with different types of greens like bok choy or spinach.
- Incorporate other proteins by including shrimp, tofu, or even beef for a richer taste profile.
- For extra flavor depth, consider adding some canned or fresh mushrooms towards the end of stir-frying when the vegetables are almost ready.
The versatility of chicken stir-fry lies in its simplicity yet complexity at the same time. Whether you're looking for something quick during a busy weeknight or preparing a satisfying meal on the weekend, this dish is sure to impress both family members and guests alike. Try this recipe today and see how easy it can be to whip up a delicious meal right from your kitchen!