Perfectly Balanced Meal: A Simple Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

Keyword: Chicken and vegetable stir-fry

Cooking a delicious chicken and vegetable stir-fry is not only an easy task but also a great way to introduce more vegetables into your diet. This recipe takes just about 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or lunchtime options. The stir-fry technique ensures that the chicken and veggies stay tender-crisp while keeping all flavors vibrant and fresh.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced thinly
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced thinly
• 1 large carrot, peeled and julienned
• 1 cup broccoli florets (cut into small pieces)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional)
• 2 tablespoons oyster sauce (for a richer flavor; optional)
• Salt to taste
• Paprika for garnish (optional)

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4 people

Steps to Prepare a Delicious Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry

To start, you will need to prepare the chicken pieces. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together cornstarch and water (approximately half cup of water). This helps thicken your stir-fry sauce.

After mixing, add the chicken breasts into the mixture and coat it evenly with the starch. Allow this process to sit for about 10 minutes. This will help in making the chicken extra juicy by coating each piece before cooking.

In a large skillet or wok, heat up vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Once your pan is ready, add the marinated chicken pieces into it and stir-fry for about 4-5 minutes. You want to cook them just enough so that they are no longer pink inside; this ensures a safe and delicious meal.

Once the chicken has been seared, remove it from the skillet and set aside on a plate while you prepare the vegetables.

• While the chicken is cooking, wash your bell peppers and carrots thoroughly. Cut them into thin slices or matchstick pieces if preferred.
• Cut the broccoli florets into smaller, bite-sized pieces to ensure they will cook quickly alongside the chicken without overcooking.
• After you have prepared all vegetables, return the skillet to medium heat. Add minced garlic and stir-fry for about 10 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
• Next, add the bell peppers and carrot pieces into the pan along with a little bit more vegetable oil if needed. Stir-fry these together over medium heat for around 5 minutes or until they start to soften slightly but still retain their crispness.

Add back the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet with the vegetables. If desired, you can also add soy sauce and oyster sauce at this point if you want to enhance the flavor further. Stir everything together gently for another 2-3 minutes until the flavors meld nicely. Season with salt as needed during this step.

Once done cooking, transfer the chicken and vegetable stir-fry onto serving plates. Garnish with paprika or any other spices of your choice. Serve hot alongside steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal!

Why You Should Try This Recipe

This recipe is incredibly versatile; you can modify it based on what ingredients you have available in your pantry or fridge. It’s an excellent way to use up leftovers from previous meals as well since most components are easy to store for a few days.

The preparation time isn’t long, making this dish suitable for both weeknight suppers and packed lunches. Plus, it allows for customization depending on personal preferences such as adding more protein or adjusting the amount of vegetables included in each serving.

Health Benefits

This dish is rich in vitamins A and C due to its high content of bell peppers and carrots. It also provides essential minerals like potassium from the vegetables and lean protein from the chicken, which supports muscle growth and repair after exercise. Additionally, because this meal doesn't contain much fat or sodium unless additional sauces are added, it makes for a healthier alternative compared to many restaurant options.