Quick & Easy Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

Chicken stir-fry is a popular dish that has gained immense popularity over the years due to its versatility and ease of preparation. This simple yet delicious recipe can be prepared in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or even as part of your weekend cooking plans.

The key to a great stir-fry is using fresh ingredients and cooking them quickly over high heat. You'll need chicken breast, broccoli florets, carrots, bell peppers, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil for this recipe. Serve it with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.

Let's dive into the detailed steps of making this quick and easy stir-fry:

• Cut 2 cups of chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.
• Prepare 1 head of broccoli, cutting off the florets. Finely slice them along with 1 large carrot.
• Quarter 2 bell peppers (any color) and remove the seeds.
• Minced garlic cloves – add about 3 to 4 cloves for flavor.
• Fresh ginger – grate a small piece, roughly about half an inch.

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 people

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with soy sauce and sesame oil to marinate for about 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to penetrate the meat.
2. Heat up 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat until it is very hot but not smoking. If you don't have a wok, any wide saucepan will do well too.
3. Add the garlic and ginger to the wok and stir-fry for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until they become fragrant. Be careful not to burn them as this can impart an unpleasant taste to your dish.
4. Remove the chicken from its marinade (discard any leftover marinade) and add it to the pan. Stir-fry the chicken until it turns golden brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes depending on your heat setting. Transfer the cooked chicken into a plate as you do this step for the vegetables.
5. Return the wok or pan to medium-high heat. Add another tablespoon of oil if necessary and add the carrots first, then the broccoli florets, followed by bell pepper pieces. Stir-fry until they are just tender but not overcooked – typically around 3-5 minutes total depending on how crunchy you like your veggies.
6. Combine everything together back in the same bowl or plate where all the ingredients were initially marinated. At this point, reheat briefly to ensure that all components of the dish reach a safe temperature before serving.

The dish is now ready to serve! You can garnish with chopped green onions for added color and texture.

Tips & Variations:

• Use different proteins: If you prefer, you can substitute chicken with beef strips or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Just make sure the time of cooking is adjusted accordingly based on how fast each ingredient cooks.
• Change the vegetables: Feel free to experiment with other seasonal veggies like snap peas, snow peas, or zucchini if you run out of what’s listed here.
• Vary flavors: Adjust soy sauce content according to your taste; add more if it seems too mild for your liking. For a richer flavor, use fish sauce instead.

The key to mastering the art of stir-frying lies in practice and experimentation. Try different combinations of vegetables and proteins, adjust seasoning preferences, and most importantly have fun while cooking! With this versatile recipe under your belt, you'll be able to whip up delicious meals in no time.