Easy Chicken and Vegetables Stir-Fry

This delicious Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry is a healthy, quick meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re craving something simple yet satisfying. With just 30 minutes of cooking time, this dish serves 4 people generously.

Ingredients You'll Need

1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, thinly sliced
2 cups broccoli florets
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon sesame oil (optional)
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch for thickening
Ginger root, peeled and finely chopped
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

This stir-fry recipe is rich in flavors and packed with nutrients. The combination of chicken and vegetables makes it a complete meal, providing protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking the Chicken: Start by heating up your wok or large skillet over high heat. If you want to add a little more flavor, use sesame oil instead of vegetable oil. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and stir-fry for about 5 minutes until they are golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Prepping Vegetables: While the chicken is cooking, prepare all your vegetables by slicing them as mentioned in the ingredients list above. This includes chopping the onions, cutting up the peppers, and slicing carrots and broccoli.
Sautéing Garlic and Ginger: After removing the chicken from the pan, lower the heat to medium-high. Add a teaspoon of garlic and finely chopped ginger root into the wok or skillet. Sauté these for about 1 minute until aromatic.
Add Vegetables: Pour in your prepared vegetables (except broccoli) along with soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar if using, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir-fry everything together vigorously for another 5 minutes or so until the vegetables are bright and crisp-tender but not overcooked.
Mix Everything Together: Now it’s time to combine all ingredients once again. Place the chicken back into the pan with the stir-fried vegetables. Continue cooking for an additional minute or two, stirring constantly, just enough for everything to warm through and meld together nicely.
Dish It Out: Once done, turn off the heat and let the stir-fry sit for a moment before serving. Serve immediately over rice or noodles if desired.

This dish can be served on its own with plain steamed rice or mixed into a bowl of hot cooked noodles for a heartier meal. You could also add some sliced green onions (scallions) and sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture. For those who love spice, consider adding red pepper flakes to the mix!

Tips & Variations

Leftovers: Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave when ready to eat again.
Variations: To make this dish more interesting, you can substitute chicken with tofu or add mushrooms and spinach for additional texture and nutrients.

Nutritional Information

The exact nutritional values will depend on the specific ingredients used; however, a typical serving size (about 1 cup) provides around:

Approximately 300 calories per person
Protein content varies depending on how much chicken is included.
Fats and carbohydrates vary based on vegetables chosen.
Vitamin C, B vitamins like B6 and B12 are present thanks to the chicken and bell peppers respectively.

Conclusion

Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry is a versatile, tasty dish that brings together various flavors and textures. Its simplicity makes it easy to prepare even on busy days while offering nutritious benefits from both protein-rich chicken and vitamin-packed vegetables. Try making this recipe soon - your taste buds will thank you!