Easy Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Chicken and vegetable stir-fry is a favorite among many as it offers a delicious combination of flavors while being relatively easy to prepare at home. The versatile dish can be customized according to your taste preferences, making it an ideal go-to meal for busy weeknights or weekend feasts.

This recipe serves 4 people and takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish, including preparation time and cooking time. Here's a detailed look into the ingredients you'll need and how to prepare this tasty dish:

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken (about 1 kg) – cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon of sugar
• 1/4 cup of water chestnuts
• 1/2 cup of carrots, sliced diagonally
• 1/4 cup green beans, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 tablespoon of cooking oil (sesame or vegetable)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Garnish: fresh cilantro leaves for garnishing

Instructions

Begin by preparing the chicken pieces. Rinse them under cold running water, pat dry with a paper towel, then mix well with soy sauce, garlic, sugar, and salt. Marinate this mixture in the fridge for at least 30 minutes; this will help tenderize the meat and intensify flavors.

While the chicken is marinating, prepare all other vegetables mentioned above. Make sure to slice them into appropriate sizes that would balance well when stir-frying together. This ensures even cooking and prevents overcooking or undercooking of any ingredient during the process.

After 30 minutes have passed, heat up your wok or large frying pan using high heat before adding a tablespoonful of oil. Once heated properly, add chicken pieces to the hot oil; stir-fry until they turn golden brown, about 5-7 minutes depending on size. Remove cooked chicken from the pan and set aside.

Next, return the wok or frying pan back onto medium heat. Add another tablespoon of cooking oil if necessary. Toss in your vegetables one by one starting with water chestnuts then carrots, followed by green beans and finally bell peppers. Stir-fry them for 4-5 minutes until they reach a desired tenderness. Be careful not to overcook these veggies as their crunchiness is crucial for balance in texture.

Once all the vegetables are nearly done, add back into the pan any leftover chicken along with some water (about half cup). Let it simmer gently for another 2-3 minutes or so until the sauce thickens up slightly. Taste test and adjust seasoning if needed before adding a teaspoon of sugar to sweeten things up just right.

Finally, garnish your dish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve hot alongside steamed jasmine rice or noodles. Enjoy your homemade chicken and vegetable stir-fry immediately after preparation while it's still warm from the stove!

Tips for Success

• Making sure you have all ingredients ready before beginning helps streamline the process and ensure that each component cooks evenly without waiting around unnecessarily.
• Using a non-stick wok or pan can make stir-frying easier, especially when dealing with slippery items like chicken. However, it is perfectly acceptable to use any large frying pan if you prefer not to invest in specialty cookware.
• The key ingredient in achieving success here lies within the quality of vegetables used; choose firm yet still tender specimens for best results when stir-frying.

Conclusion

Celebrate the simplicity and deliciousness that comes with creating a chicken and vegetable stir-fry at home. With minimal effort, you can enjoy a nutritious meal packed full of flavor. Try experimenting by substituting different types of vegetables or adding extra spices like gingerroot or chili flakes to suit your tastes perfectly.