Perfectly Balanced Meal: Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry is a popular dish that combines the savory flavors of chicken with a variety of colorful vegetables for a nutritious and satisfying meal.

This recipe serves 4 as a main course, making it perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. The cooking time is approximately 25 minutes from start to finish. Here’s how you can prepare this dish:

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 carrot, peeled and julienned
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)

Instructions

1. Begin by preparing the chicken. Slice it into strips and set aside.
2. In a large skillet or wok, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the sliced onions and sauté for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become translucent.
3. Add the garlic, red bell pepper, broccoli florets, and julienned carrots to the pan. Stir-fry these vegetables for another couple of minutes, just long enough to ensure they retain some texture but are not overcooked.
4. Season the stir-fried vegetables with salt and black pepper. Next, add the sliced chicken strips into the skillet and continue cooking until the chicken is no longer pink inside (about 5-7 minutes).
5. To finish off, mix in the soy sauce and cornstarch slurry to create a sauce. Allow this mixture to cook and thicken up slightly for about 2 minutes.
6. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For Extra Flavor: You can add other spices such as ginger or turmeric depending on your preference. Ginger adds a spicy kick while turmeric imparts color along with its health benefits.
• Cooking Vegetables Al Dente: Make sure not to overcook the vegetables; otherwise, they will lose their vibrant colors and nutrients during the stir-frying process. Cooking them just until tender yet firm ensures that each bite is packed full of flavor.
• To Serve with Rice: Accompany this dish with steamed white rice or jasmine rice for an extra serving of carbohydrates to help balance out your meal.

Nutritional Information

A typical serving (assuming it is divided into four equal parts) will provide approximately 350 calories, 26 grams protein, 18 grams fat, and about 24 grams of carbohydrate. This dish provides a good amount of essential vitamins like vitamin C from the bell peppers along with fiber from various vegetables.

Conclusion

The Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile, allowing you to play around with different ingredients according to your taste. Whether you're looking for a quick weekday dinner or something special for the weekend, this simple yet hearty meal will definitely satisfy both your palate and appetite.

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p>Cooking this dish together with family members can be fun; it’s an excellent way to spend quality time while also teaching younger ones about healthy eating habits. Plus, leftovers make great lunchbox additions too!