Perfectly Balanced Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry: A Flavorful Meal in Minutes

Chicken and vegetable stir-fry is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. It's a quick meal that requires minimal effort yet provides a satisfying, nutritious option for busy weeknights or even a packed lunch at work. This recipe is designed to pack in flavor with ease while keeping the preparation time under 30 minutes.

For this stir-fry, you'll need approximately 15 minutes of active cooking time and about 20 minutes of prep time. The total cooking time will be around 45 minutes including all preparations. This dish serves four people as a main course or can easily be doubled for a larger group.

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
• 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, bell peppers, and broccoli)
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated or minced
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil (sesame or vegetable)
• Salt to taste (optional)
• Toasted sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Begin by preparing all your ingredients and preheating the wok or large skillet. To prepare, place the chicken strips in a mixing bowl and pour half of the soy sauce over them to marinate for at least 10 minutes.

In another bowl, toss together the mixed vegetables with a little bit of the remaining soy sauce until they are evenly coated.

Heat up your cooking oil in the wok or skillet. Once it's hot, add the chicken strips and stir-fry them until they turn light brown and are cooked through. It’s important to have a high heat here as you want to sear the meat quickly so that it can hold its shape while stir-frying.

After the chicken is done, remove it from the pan and set aside on a plate. Return the wok or skillet to the stove and add any remaining cooking oil if necessary. Now add your vegetables to the hot pan and continue cooking until they are just tender but still vibrant in color – about 5 minutes.

Combine the cooked chicken with the stir-fried vegetables, then pour over the soy sauce mixture and season with minced garlic, grated ginger, black pepper, and a dash of salt. Stir well to combine all the flavors together.

Once everything is mixed nicely and heated through, transfer your dish into serving plates. Top it off with toasted sesame seeds for that extra bit of crunch if desired.

Tips & Variations

1. To make this dish more substantial, consider adding some cooked rice or noodles to serve alongside the stir-fry.
2. If you prefer less spice, reduce the amount of ginger and garlic used. Alternatively, add a pinch of sugar for balance if needed.
3. Feel free to experiment with different types of vegetables based on what’s available locally. Zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms all pair well with chicken in this recipe.

Cooking Time and Servings Summary

This quick and easy Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry takes about 45 minutes to prepare and serves four people as a main course.

Remember that proper nutrition plays an important role in maintaining good health. Including this dish in your weekly meal plan can help you maintain a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Enjoy cooking! Whether you are looking for something quick to whip up or just want to impress family and friends with homemade dishes, this Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry offers both delicious taste and convenience. Try out these simple steps today and experience the delightful flavors at home!