Simple Chicken Stir-Fry with Vegetables

A simple yet delicious way to enjoy a quick and healthy meal is through chicken stir-fry with vegetables. This versatile dish can be customized based on your taste preferences and what you have in your refrigerator, making it perfect for busy weeknights or a light weekend dinner.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into thin strips)
• 1 large bell pepper, sliced thinly
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small carrot, julienned
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil (such as vegetable or peanut oil)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Preparation and Cooking Time

This recipe takes approximately 30 minutes, with a total preparation time of about 15-20 minutes and a cooking time of around 15 minutes. It serves four people generously.

Steps to Prepare Chicken Stir-Fry with Vegetables

1. Cooking the chicken: Start by slicing your chicken breasts into thin strips if they are not already sliced. Heat up a wok or large skillet over high heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken and stir-fry until it turns golden brown on all sides and is fully cooked through. This should take about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
2. Prepping vegetables: While your chicken is cooking, prepare the rest of the ingredients. Slice the bell pepper, chop the onion finely, mince the garlic cloves, and julienne the carrot.
3. Stir-frying vegetables: In the same pan used for the chicken, add another tablespoon of oil. Once heated, add the garlic and stir-fry until fragrant. Then toss in the bell pepper and onions, cooking them for about 3-4 minutes or until they are slightly softened but not overcooked.
4. Combining everything: Now it’s time to combine all elements together. Add back the cooked chicken into the pan along with soy sauce, stirring well to let the flavors meld. Cook this mixture for another couple of minutes, ensuring that each bite has a good mix of flavors and textures.
5. Serving: Once everything is heated through and combined nicely, transfer your stir-fry onto serving plates or bowls. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot!

Additional Tips for Perfecting Your Chicken Stir-Fry

To ensure that you get the best results every time, here are some tips:

• Precision in timing: Both chicken pieces and vegetables need to be cooked at their optimal times. Overcooking can result in a dry texture, while undercooked ingredients will still have a raw flavor.
• Freshness matters: Using fresh ingredients ensures that the dish has a bright taste rather than a stale one. Fresh herbs like cilantro add extra freshness and complement the flavors perfectly.
• Taste test regularly: While cooking, it’s important to check seasoning periodically to adjust for saltiness or sweetness as per individual preferences.

Variations of Chicken Stir-Fry

The base recipe for chicken stir-fry with vegetables can easily be customized according to dietary restrictions or personal preference. Here are a few ideas:

• Vegetarian version: Omit the chicken and replace it with tofu or tempeh, which absorb flavors beautifully.
• Spicy option: Add some chili flakes or fresh hot peppers to give your dish a kick. Adjust according to taste preference!
• Fresh fruit addition: For extra sweetness, add thinly sliced apples or pears just before the chicken is added back into the pan.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

Chicken stir-fry with vegetables offers a variety of benefits. It’s not only quick to prepare but also rich in vitamins and minerals provided by fresh vegetables. Plus, it's incredibly versatile; you can use leftovers from other meals or even make it as an entirely new dish each day without repeating the same flavors.

If you're looking for an easy weeknight dinner that won't take too much effort yet still packs a lot of flavor into every bite, then this chicken stir-fry recipe is perfect for you. Whether served with rice noodles or plain steamed jasmine rice, it’s sure to become one of your go-to meals when time is short but you want something satisfying and nutritious.