Chicken Stir-Fry with Veggies

Reason This Dish Should Be a Part of Your Weekly Rotation

Imagine this: you go through your door having had a long day and you are hungry and tired. The last thing you want is to take an hour cooking. There, the chicken stir-fry with vegetables comes to the rescue.

It is not any ordinary dinner recipe. It is your trick during the hectic weekdays. A nutritious meal that is also colorful can be made on the table and ready faster than it could be ordered as takeout. And, you are the one to decide what is going on your plate.

Stir-fry beauty is in its flexibility. You have vegetables that are left over in the fridge? Throw them in. Like spicy food? Add more heat. Feeling like something light on the children? Easy to adjust. One recipe gets made to suit what you require.

You will know all the tricks in this guide, how to select the pan you need to the art of the ideal sauce. These tips can be used to make restaurant-quality foods at home whether it is the first time you are cooking or you are trying to perfect your technique. For more culinary inspiration and lifestyle tips, check out TrendyBlitz.

The Secret of Perfect Stir-Fry Every Time

We should go through what is unique about stir-fry before you begin chopping the vegetables. The method is Chinese by origin, as high temperature and fast cooking maintain the crunchiness and color of vegetables as well as it provides unbelievable taste.

The term stir-fry is used to explain the actual process; a stirring of the ingredients and then frying them under a lot of high heat. This is a quick way of cooking food, which preserves moisture and nutrients. Your chicken stays tender. Your vegetables stay crisp. Everything is fresh and vivid.

So What Is So Popular About This Method of Cooking

There is a reason why people love stir-fry. First, it’s genuinely fast. Totaling between 20 and 30 minutes, preparation to finish, most stir-fries are prepared within these time limits. Second, it’s healthy. You use very little oil and vegetable vitamins are preserved by the quick cooking. Third, it’s economical. A family of four can be fed on a few dollars than a restaurant meal.

Another advantage? Cleanup is simple. The cutting board, one knife, and one pan are used mostly. No half a dozen pots and pans crowding your kitchen sink.

To Collect the Ingredients of Success, You Need to Compile These Ingredients in a Proper Way

It is a matter of the right ingredients. We will unpack your needs and the reason behind the components.

Choosing Your Chicken

In the case of stir fry, then boneless and skinless chicken breast is best. It is fast and remains lean. Chicken thighs are a very good option since they contain a higher amount of fat, and therefore, they are more flavored and have fewer risks of drying.

Purchase chicken, approximately one and a half pounds of chicken, to serve four people. Chop it into bite-size, around the same size. This ensures even cooking. No one would wish to have some parts of the food too cooked and the rest remain uncooked.

Picking the Best Vegetables

This is the place where you can be creative. Conventional stir-fry vegetables are:

• Red, yellow, or green bell peppers
• Broccoli florets
• Snap peas or snow peas
• Carrots (sliced thin)
• Onions
• Mushrooms
• Baby corn
• Water chestnuts

Select three or four types of vegetables in color and texture variation. Target a cumulative number of four to five cups. There are more veggies which in turn translates to more nutrients and more visual appeal.

The Flavor Builders

Your sauce is a way of making something out of nothing. Simple stir-fry sauce consists of:

• Soy sauce (3 tablespoons)
• Oyster sauce (2 tablespoons)
• Sesame oil (1 teaspoon)
• Rice vinegar (1 tablespoon)
• Honey or brown sugar (1 tablespoon)
• Garlic (3 cloves, minced)
• Fresh ginger (1 tablespoon, grated)
• Cornstarch (1 teaspoon together with 2 tablespoons water)

Cornstarch mixture will give your sauce a consistency to seem to cling to the chicken and vegetables rather than stay on the bottom of your plate.

Equipment You Are Secretly in Need Of

A nice kitchen is not necessary to prepare great stir-fry, but it is quite easy with some essential tools.

The Right Pan Makes a Difference

The traditional one is a wok, though a big skillet (12 inches or larger) will also be effective. It is only that there are sufficient surface area. When all ingredients are packed into a small pan, it will not fry but will get heavy with steam thus leaving everything wet.

If you have a wok, great. If not, don’t rush out to buy one. Your skillet, the biggest you have in the world, will serve.

Other Helpful Tools

Keep these nearby:

• A sharp knife of a chef to cut
• A sturdy cutting board
• A stirring spoon or spatula made of wood
• Small bowls with prepared ingredients
• A measuring cup and spoons

Being prepared with all that you need before you commence cooking (this is known as mise en place by chefs) saves you on running around and letting your food burn.

Cooking Directions: The Following Are Step-by-Step Cooking Directions

Now for the fun part. These steps most certainly will result in a tasty dish of chicken stir-fry with vegetables that will look and taste great.

Preparation: The Most Important Step

Begin with combining your sauce in a small bowl. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar and honey. Stir till the honey is melted. Add the minced garlic and ginger grated. Set this aside.

Cornstarch mixture in water, in another small bowl. Later this slurry will make your sauce thick.

You need to slice your chicken into uniform sized pieces of chicken about three-quarter inch cubes. Wipe them dry using paper towels. Dry chicken browns better.

Prepare all your vegetables. Cut them into similar-size pieces to ensure that they cook evenly. The harder vegetables such as carrots and broccoli ought to be thinner as compared to the soft ones such as bell peppers.

Cooking Your Chicken Right

Heat your wok or skillet until high. In case it is very hot (the water droplets must sizzle and evaporate at once), place one tablespoon of vegetable oil. Stir it about to coat the pan.

The chicken will be added in a single layer. Don’t stir it immediately. Allow it to rest between 30 and 45 seconds to form a golden brown crust. Stir and mix another 3 to 4 minutes until cooked.

Take out the chicken to a clean plate. It does not matter that it is slightly undercooked as it will cook later.

One Should Always Add Vegetables in the Correct Sequence

A secret here is that not all vegetables cook at the same rate. Added in portions, they are best.

Put in another tablespoon of oil in your pan. Begin with the most difficult vegetables. The first ones are carrots and broccoli. Stir-fry for 2 minutes.

Then add medium soft vegetables such as bell peppers and onions. Cook for another 2 minutes.

Lastly, put in quick cooking vegetables such as snow peas or mushrooms. Cook for 1 minute.

Your vegetables must be bright and they must not be mushy or soft.

Bringing It All Together

Put the cooked chicken back in the pan along with the vegetables. Pour in your prepared sauce. Combine all the ingredients and stir it 30 seconds.

Add the cornstarch slurry. Stir continuously after one minute. The sauce will then become thick and it will cover everything in a beautiful manner.

Turn off the heat. Your veggie and chicken stir-fry is served.

Miscellaneous Suggestions to Serve Before and After the Meal

Stir-fry must have something to absorb that tasty sauce. Here are your best options.

Rice: The Classic Choice

White rice is traditional. Prepare your ingredients as you cook the food so that it all is ready at the same time. Prepare approximately 2 cups uncooked rice (that is, 6 cups cooked) for four people.

More fiber and more nutrients are added by brown rice. Cooking it requires more time, and thus it should be started first.

An alternative that has become very popular is cauliflower rice, which is low-carb.

Noodles: Yet Another Great Choice

Noodles such as rice or lo mein noodles will be just fine. Prepare in packages as directed and cook, drain, and put the stir-fry on top.

Other individuals even put cooked noodles into the stir-fry at the final minute of cooking. This puts them in a state of being covered in sauce and it all goes in a dish.

More Tips on Finding Your Stir-Fry Style

A single recipe, with infinite variations. This is how to vary the chicken stir-fry with vegetables to suit various tastes.

Making It Spicier

Love heat? Add red pepper flakes, sriracha or fresh chili peppers. Begin with little and then keep on tasting. It is possible to always add more spice, but not to remove it.

Creating a Sweeter Version

Add more honey to 2 tablespoons. During the final minute of cooking add a few pieces of pineapple. The savory and sweet combination is unbelievable.

Going Low-Sodium

Substitute regular soy sauce with low-sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos. Omit the oyster sauce or substitute it with a low sodium oyster sauce. Your stir-fry will not be bad.

Adding Different Proteins

Substitute chicken with shrimp, beef, pork or tofu. The mode of cooking remains the same. All you have to do is change the times of cooking a little. Shrimp will cook in less time (2 to 3 minutes) and beef may require 5 to 6 minutes.

Best Practices on Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes

These mistakes are committed even by the experienced cooks. Take their example and spare yourself the bother.

Mistake 1: Not Heating the Pan Enough

Unless your pan is hot enough then the food will steam rather than fry. The result? Wet vegetables and rubbery chicken. Add ingredients after your pan has gotten hot.

Mistake 2: Overcrowding the Pan

An overabundance of food in the pan decreases temperature. All oozes and vaporizes. Cook in batches if necessary. It will require a bit more time but better results will be achieved.

Mistake 3: Uneven Cutting of Ingredients

Large chunks and small pieces do not cook at a similar speed. Take a little more time and cut it all the same. The future you will be a grateful one.

Mistake 4: Adding Sauce Too Early

At the end, not the beginning of the sauce. This addition at the initial stage renders the vegetables moist and weakens the taste. Add sauce when all is almost cooked and thicken the sauce fast.

Nutritional Value of This Dish

Chicken stir-fry and vegetables are not only delicious. It’s genuinely good for you.

Protein Power

Chicken contains lean protein that builds and contributes to the muscles. An average serving provides approximately 30 to 35 grams of protein, which is approximately fifty percent of what an average adult should intake in a day.

Vegetable Variety

The combination of vegetables provides fiber, minerals, and vitamins. Bell peppers contain vitamin C. Broccoli contains vitamin K and folate. Carrots provide you with beta-carotene for the eyes.

Balanced Meal Composition

The correct amount of serving consists of protein, rice or noodle carbohydrates and lots of vegetables. This proportion makes you full and refreshed.

Lower Fat Content

Stir-fry requires a little oil in comparison to fried food or heavy cream sauces. A single meal usually has 8 to 12 grams of fat, but it is healthy fat.

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

Prepare smart meal preparation with make chicken stir-fry with veggies in your busy schedule.

Prepping Ahead

On Sunday, cut all your vegetables. Keep them in airtight containers in the refrigerator, not more than 4 days. Everything is prepared when you are in cooking mood.

Mix your sauce in advance. It stores to a maximum of one week in the fridge. Shake it well before using.

You may even chop and marinate the chicken one day before. This in fact enhances the taste.

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Storing Leftovers

Stir-fry can be stored in the fridge up to 3 to 4 days. Keep in a sealed container. Add a splash of water or broth when reheating or it will dry out.

Cook it on the stove in medium heat stirring regularly. Microwaving is also effective, although the vegetables may become a bit soft.

Freezing for Later

Stir-fry has good freezing but on thawing, the vegetables become a little soft. Allow the stir-fry to cool then freeze. Freeze in not more than 3 months.

Allow to thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat fully and serve.

Guide to Budget-Friendly Shopping

You do not have to spend much to make chicken stir-fry with veggies.

Smart Shopping Strategies

Buy chicken when it’s on sale. Freeze additional portions to be used. The price of a whole chicken is lower compared to that of pre-cut chicken. You can cut it yourself and save money.

Frozen vegetables are very well suited to making stir-fry, and are cheaper than fresh. They are frozen at optimum freshness hence they are pretty healthy. Find mixed stir-fry vegetable mixtures.

Asian grocery stores have soy sauce, sesame oil, and other Asian goods. They are priced lower than the normal supermarkets. For more information on Asian cooking techniques and ingredients, visit the Wok Shop.

Cost Breakdown

The following is an approximate cost of four servings:

That’s $3.25 to $4.60 per serving. That would be compared to $12 to $15 a person in a restaurant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to prepare chicken stir-fry without a wok?

Absolutely. A big skillet (12 inches or larger) would be very suitable. It is always important to make sure there is a lot of space between the ingredients so that they do not stack up. Should you have a smaller pan, cook in batches.

Which is the most appropriate oil to fry with?

Oils that have a high smoke point such as vegetable oil, canola oil or peanut oil are to be used. These are able to endure the high temperature without burning. Do not use olive oil or butter which burn at lower temperatures.

What do I do to maintain the crunchiness of my vegetables?

Don’t overcook them. The vegetables are to remain bright colored and crisp-tender. Another one is to ensure that your pan is very hot such that they can be seared and not steamed.

Can I use frozen chicken?

Fresh chicken is preferable, but it is ok with thawed frozen chicken. Do not use chicken, which is still frozen. It will leak excessively and will not brown up. It should be thawed out in the refrigerator and then completely.

What if my sauce is too thin?

Add additional cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water in equal measures). Spoon it bit by bit and stir until the sauce is as thick as you would like.

Is stir-fry gluten-free?

Soy sauce that is regularly used has gluten. Substitute tamari or coconut aminos. Also check your label of oyster sauce because some of them contain gluten.

How can I add more vegetables?

Go ahead! Stir-fry is extremely versatile. Add bok choy, zucchini, green beans, cabbage, or asparagus. Only bear in mind to change the cooking time depending on hardness or softness of every vegetable.

Can kids eat this?

Yes. Eliminate hot foods or put them aside. Majority of children love the light, a bit sweet taste of simple stir-fry sauce. Allow them to choose what kinds of vegetables they like to be included.

Some Last Words on the Art of This Indispensable Dish

Chicken stir-fry and veggies are not simply another fast food option. It is one of the core cooking techniques that unlocks unlimited options in terms of meals. After you have the elementary version, then you can always experiment with any kind of protein, veggie or even a sauce.

This is a very simple and versatile dish and this is its beauty. Busy weeknight? It’s ready in 20 minutes. Trying to eat healthier? It is full of vegetables and high-protein lean. Have some odds and ends to get rid of in your fridge? All is in a stir-fry.

Perfection is not something to be afraid of in the first attempt. Stir-frying is like any other skill, the more one does it, the better one gets it. The second time is always improved on the first. Better still will be your tenth. In a short time, you will be able to cook without even a recipe on your fingertips.

Start tonight. Clean up some counter space, warm up that pan and make a colorful, tasty meal the entire family will love. The path to being sure of yourself in the kitchen begins with the simple recipes such as this one.

Keep in mind: cooking is not a stressful activity. Play some music, get yourself a drink and have fun. This way, you will soon find yourself having homemade chicken stir-fry with veggies as part of your repertoire when you feel like having it fast, healthy, and most importantly delicious.