Easy Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

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This is one of my all-time favorite weeknight meals: Chicken Stir Fry. It’s a recipe I turn to again and again because it’s not only quick and easy to make, but it’s also incredibly flavorful and packed with vibrant veggies and tender chicken.

Perfect for those busy nights when you want a nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You’re going to love this Chicken Stir Fry because it’s a true powerhouse of flavors and textures. The chicken is juicy and tender, the vegetables are crisp and colorful, and the sauce is rich with a savory depth that ties everything together beautifully.

Plus, it’s customizable based on your vegetable preferences or what you have on hand. It’s a fantastic way to get a balanced meal on the table fast—taking roughly 30 minutes from start to finish.

Cook Times

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutritional Facts of Chicken Stir Fry

(Serving size: 1 portion, serves 4)

• Calories: 310
• Total Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Cholesterol: 65mg
• Sodium: 420mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 27g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugars: 8g
• Protein: 28g

What You Need (Ingredients)

• 1 lb (450g) chicken breast, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 red bell pepper, julienned
• 1 green bell pepper, julienned
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 carrot, sliced into thin strips
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional garnish: sesame seeds, green onions

Instructions

1. Heat a large pan or wok over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil.
2. Add the chicken slices to the pan, seasoning with a little salt and pepper. Stir-fry until the chicken is golden and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed, and toss in the garlic and ginger. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Add the onions, bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots. Stir-fry the vegetables until they are just tender, about 4-5 minutes.
5. Return the chicken to the pan. Mix the soy sauce, honey, and cornstarch mixture together and pour over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to combine and coat everything in the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce has thickened and everything is heated through.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or soy sauce if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Gives Stir Fry Flavor?

In my experience, the key to flavorful stir fry lies in a combination of factors that work together to create a delicious and harmonious dish. Firstly, it’s all about the aromatics—I’m talking about ingredients like garlic, ginger, and onions, which form the flavorful foundation of many stir fry recipes.

These aromatic ingredients are typically sautéed in oil at the beginning of cooking, releasing their fragrant oils and infusing the dish with a rich depth of flavor. Secondly, the sauce plays a crucial role in adding complexity and balance to the stir fry.

Whether it’s a combination of soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil for a savory-sweet finish, or a spicy blend of chili paste and rice vinegar for a kick of heat, the sauce ties everything together and coats each ingredient with a layer of irresistible flavor. Finally, the cooking technique itself—quick, high-heat cooking—helps to preserve the natural flavors and textures of the ingredients, resulting in crisp, vibrant vegetables and tender, juicy meat.

With the right combination of aromatics, sauce, and cooking technique, you can create a stir fry bursting with flavor that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Do You Add Liquid To Stir Fry?

Yes, adding liquid to a stir fry is essential for creating a flavorful sauce that coats the ingredients and ties the dish together. While some stir fry recipes may rely solely on the natural juices released from the ingredients during cooking, many recipes call for the addition of liquid ingredients like soy sauce, broth, or citrus juice to enhance the flavor and provide moisture.

These liquids not only add depth and complexity to the dish but also help to deglaze the pan, picking up any flavorful browned bits that may have formed during cooking. Additionally, using a cornstarch slurry—a mixture of cornstarch and water—can help to thicken the sauce, giving it a glossy, velvety texture that clings to the ingredients beautifully.

Ultimately, the addition of liquid to a stir fry is a key component in creating a delicious, well-balanced dish that’s bursting with flavor.

What Is The Best Thickener For Stir Fry?

Cornstarch! Cornstarch is a versatile ingredient that easily blends into sauces, creating a smooth and silky texture without altering the flavor. To use cornstarch as a thickener, simply mix it with a small amount of cold water to create a slurry, then add it to your stir-fry sauce towards the end of cooking.

As the sauce simmers, the cornstarch activates and thickens the liquid, giving it a glossy finish that coats the ingredients beautifully. Cornstarch is particularly well-suited for stir-fries because it thickens quickly and doesn’t require much cooking time. Plus, it’s gluten-free, making it suitable for a wide range of dietary preferences.

Overall, cornstarch is my go-to thickener for stir-fry sauces, ensuring that each dish has the perfect consistency and texture.

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Wrap–Up

There you have it—a mouthwatering Chicken Stir Fry that’s perfect for a quick dinner any night of the week. It’s a great meal that combines protein, vegetables, and a delightful sauce that will keep you coming back for more.

Serve this over a bed of rice or noodles for a complete meal. This stir fry not only satisfies your taste buds but also adds a colorful boost of nutrition to your dinner routine. Enjoy cooking and more importantly, enjoy eating!