Chicken stir-fry is a versatile and delicious dish that has become a favorite in households worldwide. Bursting with colorful vegetables, tender chicken, and flavorful sauces, this meal is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a nutritious option that doesn’t compromise on taste. Here’s everything you need to know about preparing the perfect chicken stir-fry.
Why Stir-Fry?
Stir-frying is a popular cooking technique that originated in Chinese cuisine. It involves cooking ingredients quickly over high heat, which helps preserve their texture, color, and nutrients. This method is ideal for creating meals that are both healthy and flavorful.
Essential Ingredients for Chicken Stir-Fry
A great chicken stir-fry combines fresh ingredients, a balanced sauce, and the right cooking technique. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best. Cut them into thin, even strips for quick and uniform cooking.
- Vegetables: Use a mix of colorful vegetables for a visually appealing and nutrient-rich dish. Popular choices include bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, carrots, and onions.
- Aromatics: Garlic, ginger, and green onions are key to building depth of flavor.
- Sauce: A good stir-fry sauce typically includes soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and a touch of sweetness from honey or sugar. Cornstarch is often used as a thickener.
- Oil: Choose a high smoke point oil like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil.
Tips for the Best Chicken Stir-Fry
- Prep Ahead: Have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking, as stir-frying moves quickly.
- Cut Evenly: Uniformly sliced chicken and vegetables ensure even cooking.
- High Heat: Use high heat to achieve a good sear and retain the crunch of the vegetables.
- Experiment with Add-Ins: Try adding cashews, sesame seeds, or chili flakes for extra flavor and texture.
Conclusion
Chicken stir-fry is a quick, healthy, and endlessly customizable dish that deserves a spot in your weekly meal rotation. With its vibrant vegetables, tender chicken, and savory sauce, it’s sure to please everyone at the table. Give this recipe a try, and enjoy the satisfaction of creating a wholesome meal in no time.
Chicken Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil
- 2 thinly sliced Strauss Chicken Breasts
- ½ seeded and thickly sliced red bell pepper
- ½ seeded and thickly sliced yellow bell pepper
- ½ each thickly sliced green zucchini and yellow squash
- 1 cup of trimmed broccoli
- 3 tablespoons of coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon of sriracha
- ½ cup of peanuts
- 2 cups of cooked and drained lentils
- cilantro leaves for garnish
- sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large wok until it begins to smoke.
- Add in the sliced chicken and cook until browned and cooked through out. Set aside.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and stir-fry the peppers, zucchini, squash and broccoli over high heat for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the cooked chicken back in and stir in the coconut aminos and sriracha. Season with salt.
- Serve the chicken stir fry over the cooked lentils and garnish with peanuts and cilantro leaves.