Cooking a delicious dinner doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task. With this quick and easy chicken stir-fry recipe, you can whip up a nutritious meal in just 15 minutes. Ideal for busy weeknights, this dish combines tender chicken with vibrant vegetables and a flavorful sauce. Let’s dive into how you can create this delightful meal.

Ingredients

To make this quick recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 bell pepper (any color)
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 carrot
• 1 small onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked rice or noodles (optional)

Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Before you start cooking, it’s essential to have all your ingredients ready.

• Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into thin strips. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly.
• Vegetables: Slice the bell pepper, carrot, and onion into thin strips. Chop the broccoli into small florets. Mince the garlic cloves.
• Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch. This mixture will create a rich and savory sauce for the stir-fry.

Cooking Instructions

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

• Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
• Once the oil is hot, add the chicken strips. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until it turns golden brown and is no longer pink in the center.
• Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

Step 3: Stir-Fry the Vegetables

• In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil.
• Add the minced garlic and sliced onions. Stir-fry for about 1 minute until fragrant.
• Add the bell pepper, broccoli florets, and carrot strips. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.

Step 4: Combine and Cook

• Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables.
• Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything evenly.
• Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Serve

Your quick and easy chicken stir-fry is now ready to be served. You can enjoy it on its own or with a side of cooked rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Tips for the Perfect Stir-Fry

Use High Heat

Stir-frying is all about cooking quickly at high heat. This helps to retain the crispiness of the vegetables and ensures that the chicken remains tender. Make sure your skillet or wok is hot before adding the ingredients.

Keep Ingredients Uniform

Cutting your ingredients into similar sizes ensures even cooking. This way, everything will be perfectly cooked at the same time.

Don’t Overcrowd the Pan

Overcrowding the pan can lead to steaming instead of stir-frying. If necessary, cook the chicken and vegetables in batches to maintain high heat and achieve that perfect stir-fry texture.

Variations and Substitutions

Protein Alternatives

If you prefer a different protein, you can easily substitute the chicken with beef, shrimp, or tofu. Each of these options brings a unique flavor and texture to the dish.

Vegetable Choices

Feel free to mix and match your favorite vegetables. Snow peas, snap peas, mushrooms, zucchini, and baby corn are all excellent additions to a stir-fry.

Sauce Adjustments

If you like a bit of heat, consider adding a teaspoon of chili sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture. You can also adjust the sweetness by adding a touch of honey or brown sugar.

Nutritional Information

This chicken stir-fry is not only quick and easy but also nutritious. Here’s a rough estimate of the nutritional value per serving:

• Calories: 300-350
• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fat: 15g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g

These values may vary depending on the exact ingredients and portions used.

Conclusion

Incorporating this quick and easy chicken stir-fry into your meal rotation is a fantastic way to enjoy a healthy and tasty dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for both novice and experienced cooks. Try it out today and savor the delightful flavors and textures of this classic dish.