Simple Chicken Stir-Fry: A Quick and Delicious Meal for Busy Nights

Chicken stir-fry is one of the most popular and versatile meals around. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or when you're short on time, this dish can be customized to suit your taste preferences. With just 30 minutes of cooking time, chicken stir-fry provides a nutritious and tasty meal that everyone in the family will love. This recipe serves four people and is simple enough even for beginners.

To start, gather the following ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for cooking

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Begin by washing the broccoli florets under cold water. Pat them dry with a paper towel and set aside. Slice the bell pepper into thin strips, ensuring they are not too thick as they will continue cooking in the stir-fry.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss until all sides of the chicken are evenly coated with the marinade. Allow the chicken to marinate for about 15 minutes in the refrigerator.

Step 3: Stir-Fry

In a wok or large frying pan, heat up a bit of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the garlic and stir-fry until fragrant, approximately one minute. Next, add the chicken to the pan and cook for five minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once the chicken has browned nicely on all sides, add in the vegetables—bell pepper and broccoli—turning down the heat to medium. Stir frequently while allowing the chicken to continue cooking until it is fully cooked through (approximately another 5-7 minutes).

Step 4: Serve

Remove from heat once all components are heated thoroughly, and transfer your delicious stir-fry into a serving dish. Season with additional soy sauce if desired.

Note: If you prefer more flavors, consider adding more vegetables like carrots or snap peas, or even some cooked rice to make it a complete meal!

Tips & Variations

1. For an extra kick of flavor, add 1-2 tablespoons of chili paste into the stir-fry at the end.
2. To keep things simple and save time, pre-cooked chicken (like rotisserie chickens) can be used instead of fresh chicken breasts. Pre-cooking adds minimal effort since it skips the initial cooking stage in Step 3.
3. Feel free to switch up the vegetables based on what you have available; any firm vegetable works well with this dish.

Conclusion

Chicken stir-fry is a time-honored classic that never fails to impress. It's quick, easy, and full of flavor! This versatile dish can be adapted to suit different tastes by adding various vegetables or sauces. Whether you're looking for something light and healthy or need a satisfying meal after a long day, chicken stir-fry fits the bill perfectly. Try this recipe today and see how it transforms your weeknight dinners into delightful culinary experiences!