Delicious Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe: A Quick and Easy Meal

Chicken stir-fry is a popular dish that offers a quick, delicious, and nutritious meal for families and individuals alike. This versatile recipe can be enjoyed as a main course or paired with side dishes like rice or noodles to create a complete meal. If you're looking for a simple yet flavorful dish to prepare in under 30 minutes, chicken stir-fry is perfect for you.

For this recipe, we will make a basic but delicious chicken stir-fry that serves four people. The total cooking time is approximately 25-30 minutes. Let's get started with the ingredients and steps involved to create this tasty dish.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
1 large red bell pepper, cut into small pieces
1 cup snap peas
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
Vegetable oil for stir-frying
Salt and pepper to taste
Cooked rice or noodles for serving

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce and cornstarch. Set aside this mixture. This will serve as your stir-fry sauce.
Heat some vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips to the pan and cook until they are no longer pink, about 5-6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
Add more oil if necessary, then add the minced garlic and bell pepper to the wok. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp but not overcooked.
Return the cooked chicken strips back into the pan along with the snap peas. Pour in the soy sauce mixture, and stir everything together well to combine. Cook for another couple of minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
Serve immediately over hot cooked rice or noodles. You can also drizzle a little sesame oil on top if desired.

Tips for Perfect Stir-Fry Chicken

Use fresh vegetables: Fresh vegetables will give you a much better flavor and texture compared to frozen ones. If you're using fresh bell peppers, make sure they are crisp enough before adding them to the stir-fry.
Cook chicken properly: Make sure your chicken is fully cooked by checking its internal temperature with a thermometer or observing that there's no pink inside when cut open. Overcooking can dry out the meat while undercooking might not kill harmful bacteria.
Use high heat: Stir-frying requires high heat to achieve the perfect sear and crisp texture of vegetables and chicken.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

The nutritional values below are approximate based on 1 serving out of 4 servings total. They can vary slightly depending upon the brands used for ingredients like soy sauce, etc.

Calories: ~350 kcal
Fat: ~20 g (saturated fat: ~8g)
Carbohydrates: ~32 g
Protein: ~40 g
Sodium: ~900 mg

Variations and Substitutions

p>If you want to vary this recipe, here are some suggestions:

Add sliced carrots or zucchini for extra color and nutrients.
Mix in some diced water chestnuts or bamboo shoots for a heartier texture and flavor profile.
For a bit more heat, include chili flakes or chopped jalapeños. Just be careful not to make it too spicy!

Conclusion

A simple chicken stir-fry can be the foundation for an incredibly satisfying meal that's both delicious and easy to prepare. With a few basic ingredients, you can create a tasty dish that satisfies your hunger while providing essential nutrients. Try this recipe today and enjoy a quick, healthy, and delightful dinner any night of the week!