Perfectly Balanced Dinner: Chicken Stir-Fry

Chicken stir-fry is a versatile dish that can be tailored to suit your taste preferences and dietary requirements. It's a quick meal idea for busy nights when you need something satisfying yet simple.

The preparation time required for this recipe is approximately 30 minutes, making it ideal for those with limited time. It serves four people generously.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 1 large onion, chopped finely
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated (optional)
• Fresh cilantro for garnishing (optional)

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, marinate the chicken slices with soy sauce and a little bit of olive oil. Set aside for 15 minutes.

2. Heat up your wok or large frying pan on medium heat and add olive oil followed by sesame oil to give it that extra flavor. Once the oils are hot, stir-fry garlic cloves along with fresh ginger (if using) until they become fragrant but not too brown.

3. Add all peppers and onion into the wok; cook for about 5 minutes while stirring frequently so that vegetables don't get burned. The idea here is to soften them without making them overly mushy.

4. Stir in the marinated chicken strips, cooking until they have lost their pink color and are fully cooked through - approximately another 6-7 minutes depending on how well-done you like your meat.

5. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (Approximate)

• Calories: 360 kcal
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Total Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 30 g

Tips & Variations

• To add more flavor, consider adding some sliced mushrooms or bamboo shoots.

• If you're looking for a lower calorie option, use less oil when stir-frying and opt for whole grains like quinoa instead of white rice.

Chicken stir-fry is an excellent choice if you're seeking a healthy yet flavorful dish that doesn't take long to prepare. Whether you’re hosting friends over or having dinner alone, this meal ticks all the boxes - delicious, nutritious and easy enough for even novice cooks to master.

The versatility of chicken stir-fry allows it to be adapted according to individual tastes; whether you prefer mild spices or a fiery kick from hot sauce, adjustments are straightforward. This dish also works well with a variety of accompaniments such as sushi rice, jasmine rice, soba noodles, or even dumplings.

To elevate your experience further, try different sauces like oyster sauce for a richer flavor profile or hoisin sauce for its sweet and savory balance. You could also experiment with adding various vegetables depending on what’s in season at your local grocery store.