Easy Chicken Stir-Fry: A Quick Weeknight Dinner Recipe

Chicken stir-fry, a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed anytime of the year, is a popular choice among busy families looking for healthy yet satisfying meals. The preparation time is minimal, making it ideal for weeknights when you want to impress your family without spending hours in the kitchen.

This recipe serves four people and can easily be doubled if you have guests coming over or just feel like sharing. You will need approximately 20 minutes of active cooking time with an additional 10 minutes for preparation, ensuring that dinner is served hot within a short period after your workday ends.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 600 grams)
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 onions, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 carrots, julienned
• 8 ounces (about 225 grams) button mushrooms, halved
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking wine or rice vinegar for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the chicken.

1. Begin by slicing your chicken breasts into thin strips. This will ensure even cooking and quick preparation.
2. Mix together two tablespoons of soy sauce, one tablespoon of cornstarch, and salt to taste in a medium-sized bowl. Add the sliced chicken pieces to this mixture and stir until they are thoroughly coated. Let it sit for about five minutes while you prepare other ingredients.

Step 2: Sauté vegetables.

3. While waiting, heat up three tablespoons of olive oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot but not smoking, add sliced onions and bell peppers. Cook for about two minutes until they begin to soften slightly. Then stir in carrots and mushrooms, cooking everything together for another couple of minutes.
4. Once all your veggies are done, remove them from the heat source and set aside on a plate or bowl.

Step 3: Cook chicken.

5. After removing vegetables, add more oil to the wok if needed, then lower the heat slightly. Pour in the marinated chicken pieces and cook them for about three minutes or until they turn white throughout and are no longer pink inside.
6. Towards the end of cooking time, stir in the minced garlic cloves and sesame oil. Taste the mixture; if necessary, adjust seasoning with additional soy sauce, salt, pepper, or any other condiments you prefer.

Step 4: Combine everything.

Mix your sautéed vegetables back into the chicken. Cook for another minute to heat through and let flavors meld together nicely. Serve immediately while hot with some steamed rice or noodles of your choice, along with a drizzle of cooking wine or rice vinegar if desired.

Tips & Variations

Tip: For extra flavor, you can add different spices such as chili flakes or ginger paste to the dish. Adjusting the heat level according to your taste preferences is encouraged for better enjoyment of this versatile meal.

• Variation 1: If you want to make an Asian-inspired chicken stir-fry, consider adding a few tablespoons of oyster sauce towards the end when combining ingredients. It adds depth and complexity to the dish without requiring any extra effort.
• Variation 2: You could also substitute some or all of the bell peppers with broccoli florets for added nutrients and texture contrast within your stir-fry mix.

Cooking Time Summary

This easy chicken stir-fry can be prepared in about 15 minutes once all ingredients are ready, plus another five minutes for marination. It's perfect for those nights when you need something quick but still nutritious and tasty!