Healthy Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

Keyword: Healthy Chicken Stir-Fry

Chicken stir-fry is a popular and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It’s quick to prepare, delicious, and offers numerous health benefits due to the minimal use of oil and reliance on fresh vegetables and lean protein sources.

The preparation time for this healthy chicken stir-fry recipe is approximately 20 minutes, and it serves four people perfectly. Here's how you can make a tasty and nutritious meal that will leave your family asking for more!

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced into strips)
• 1 large red pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 1 large green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 2 medium carrots, julienned
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium if preferred)
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 red onion, sliced into thin rings
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil for a healthier option)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water for a simple slurry

Instructions

1. Begin by prepping your vegetables. Slice the peppers, julienned carrots, and red onion into thin strips. While you're doing this, also slice the chicken breasts into strips about 1/4 inch thick.

2. In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, and water to create your stir-fry sauce. Set aside this mixture for later use during cooking.

3. Heat up the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it’s hot enough that you can smell the slight aroma of the oil without seeing smoke. You don’t want to burn your vegetables, but they will still brown nicely if done properly.

4. Add half of the sliced chicken strips and stir-fry until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Once this is complete, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate while you continue cooking with the remaining chicken.

5. Now add your garlic to the skillet or wok and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.

6. Add in all of the sliced vegetables including red onion, stirring them around frequently. Cook until the vegetables are bright and just tender-crisp, approximately 5-7 minutes. Be careful not to overcook!

7. Once the vegetables are ready, add back in the cooked chicken along with your prepared sauce mixture from earlier. Stir gently but thoroughly so that everything gets coated well.

8. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to let flavors meld together before serving immediately on plates.

Final Thoughts

This healthy chicken stir-fry not only satisfies your taste buds but also provides various essential vitamins and minerals. It's perfect for those who want something light yet satisfying. You can pair this dish with steamed rice or noodles for an even more complete meal.

Feel free to experiment by adding other vegetables such as broccoli, mushrooms, or snap peas based on what’s in season and available at your local grocery store. Additionally, you could try using different types of sauce or incorporating additional protein sources like tofu or shrimp if you wish to vary the flavor profile.

To ensure this dish remains appealing week after week, consider prepping it ahead of time by chopping all ingredients beforehand and storing them in separate containers in your fridge. That way, when you're ready to cook, everything is already prepared, allowing for a quick assembly process.

Enjoy your homemade healthy chicken stir-fry! This dish proves that delicious meals don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming; they can still be packed full of flavor and nutrition.