How to Make a Delicious Chicken Stir-Fry

In today's fast-paced world, many people are always looking for ways to make quick and delicious meals that can be enjoyed without much hassle. One such meal is the chicken stir-fry, which not only satisfies your taste buds but also provides you with various health benefits. In this article, we will explore how you can prepare a hearty and tasty chicken stir-fry in just 30 minutes for four servings.

Ingredients

To make this delicious dish, you will need the following ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized pieces
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, chopped into small pieces
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried ginger powder or 1 inch fresh piece of ginger, sliced and grated
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into strips
• 2 carrots, julienned
• 3 scallions, chopped at an angle
• Salt to taste
• Fresh cilantro (optional)

Preparation Steps

Step 1: Start by mixing the soy sauce, sugar, and cornstarch in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk until smooth. Set aside this mixture for later use.

Step 2: Heat up your wok or large skillet over high heat until it is very hot. Pour in the vegetable oil and swirl to coat the surface of the pan. Be careful not to burn yourself as the oil can get extremely hot very quickly.

Step 3: Add the chicken slices into the heated wok/skillet. Stir-fry until they are browned on all sides, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer the cooked chicken to a plate once it is done. Set aside for later use.

Step 4: While waiting for your chicken to cook, you can start preparing your other ingredients. Chop the onion into small pieces, mince or grate fresh ginger, and cut up all bell peppers and carrots as mentioned above.

Step 5: Once your stir-fry base (chicken) is done, it's time to add in all of the vegetables. Start by adding the chopped onions into the wok/skillet where the chicken was previously cooking. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until they start to turn translucent.

Step 6: Next, add the minced garlic and grated ginger into the wok/skillet. Stir everything together for another minute or so to allow all flavors to meld together.

Step 7: Now it’s time to combine the vegetables with the chicken. Return the chicken pieces that you had set aside earlier back into the pan along with the sliced carrots and bell peppers. Mix everything well and continue cooking until the vegetables are just tender but still bright in color, around another 3-4 minutes.

Step 8: Finally, pour in the soy sauce mixture that you had set aside earlier while stir-frying your other ingredients. Stir thoroughly to coat all of the chicken and veggies evenly with the sauce. Allow this final step to simmer for about a minute or two until everything thickens up nicely.

Step 9: Turn off the heat once your chicken stir-fry is ready. Garnish it with chopped scallions and fresh cilantro (if using). Serve hot immediately alongside steamed rice or noodles to enjoy as a complete meal.

Cooking Time

This recipe should take about 30 minutes from start to finish, including preparation time for ingredients and cooking time. If you want to save even more time, you can prepare the soy sauce mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator until needed. This way, when you are ready to cook, all you need is a few minutes of active cooking.

Number of Servings

This delicious chicken stir-fry will yield approximately 4 servings. Each serving can be enjoyed as a main course with either steamed rice or noodles, providing a satisfying and fulfilling meal for the whole family!

Tips & Variations

Chicken stir-fry is an incredibly versatile dish that allows you to experiment with different ingredients based on what you have available in your kitchen. You can also try substituting the chicken with beef or shrimp, depending on personal preference and dietary restrictions.

Feel free to adjust the amount of soy sauce and sugar according to how salty or sweet you like your dish. The addition of fresh cilantro adds a unique freshness that complements the savory flavors perfectly.

For those who enjoy more heat, consider adding some chili flakes into the mix during cooking for an extra kick of spice.

Conclusion

A delicious chicken stir-fry is easy to make and can be customized according to your tastes. With its quick preparation time and diverse flavor profiles, it's no wonder why this dish has become a favorite among busy cooks who want something quick yet nutritious for their family members or themselves.

Try out this recipe today and see how much you enjoy making and eating chicken stir-fry!