Chicken Stir Fry - A Quick and Healthy Meal

Looking for a simple yet delicious meal that you can whip up in just 30 minutes? Chicken stir fry is the perfect dish to try! This versatile recipe offers an array of flavors, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced cooks. The key to success lies in choosing fresh ingredients and following a few basic steps.

Chicken stir fry consists mainly of chicken pieces, vegetables, and sauces. The main components include boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces, bell peppers (any color), carrots, broccoli florets, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. You will need a large frying pan or wok for this dish.

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts - 300 grams (6 servings)
• Bell peppers - 1 medium size (any color)
• Carrots - 2 small pieces
• Broccoli florets - 1/2 a head
• Fresh garlic cloves - 3-4
• Finely chopped fresh ginger - about 1 tablespoon
• Soy sauce - 2 tablespoons
• Oyster sauce - 1 tablespoon (optional)
• Sesame oil - 1 teaspoon
• Vegetable oil for stir frying

Steps to Prepare Chicken Stir Fry

To begin, prepare all your ingredients. Wash the vegetables and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Peel and finely chop the garlic and ginger. Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips.

In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce, oyster sauce (if using), and sesame oil. Set this mixture aside for later use as a marinade. Next, heat up your frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add a little bit of vegetable oil to coat the surface evenly.

Once heated, add the chicken strips into the pan. Stir-fry them until they turn opaque and are no longer pink inside—approximately 5-7 minutes. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan using tongs or a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate.

Clean your pan briefly by scraping off any leftover bits with a spatula, then add another small amount of oil if necessary. Toss in the chopped garlic and ginger for about 30 seconds to release their fragrances. Add the sliced carrots followed closely by the bell peppers. Stir-fry these vegetables for another couple of minutes until they begin to soften.

Finally, add back the chicken pieces along with the prepared vegetable mixture into the pan. Pour in your marinade sauce and stir everything together well. Let it simmer gently while continuing to toss occasionally. Continue cooking until all elements are heated through—another 2-3 minutes at most.

Cooking Time & Servings

This recipe takes approximately 35 minutes from start to finish, including preparation time. It serves six people as an entree or side dish. Feel free to adjust quantities according to your preferences or the number of guests you're entertaining.

Health Benefits: Chicken provides protein which aids muscle repair and growth; vegetables like bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, promoting immune system health; carrots supply beta-carotene linked with improved vision. Combined, these components make chicken stir fry a nutritious choice for your daily meal plan!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, consider adding sliced scallions or green onions right before serving. You could also try substituting some of the vegetables used here with others such as snap peas, mushrooms, or spinach.

If you prefer a slightly sweeter taste, increase the amount of soy sauce while reducing oyster sauce accordingly. For a more savory option, use less soy and add more soy-based sauces like hoisin sauce instead.

Remember that proper portion control is essential for maintaining good health. Enjoy your homemade chicken stir fry anytime you're hungry but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen!