This chicken stir-fry is a quick and flavorful dish that brings together tender slices of chicken breast and a vibrant mix of vegetables. Perfect for a busy weeknight, this recipe is not only easy to prepare but also packed with nutrients. The combination of soy sauce and oyster sauce adds a savory depth to the dish, while the cornstarch mixture ensures a perfectly thickened sauce that clings to every bite.
While most of the ingredients for this chicken stir-fry are commonly found in your pantry, you might need to pick up oyster sauce if it's not a staple in your kitchen. This sauce adds a rich, umami flavor that is essential for authentic Asian stir-fries. Additionally, ensure you have fresh vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots on hand, as they bring color and crunch to the dish.
Ingredients For Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
Vegetable oil: Used for cooking, it helps to sauté the ingredients without adding strong flavors.
Chicken breast: A lean protein that is sliced thinly for quick cooking and tenderness.
Mixed vegetables: A colorful blend of bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots that adds nutrition and texture.
Garlic: Provides a fragrant and savory base to the stir-fry.
Soy sauce: Adds a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
Oyster sauce: A thick, savory sauce that deepens the flavor profile with its rich umami notes.
Cornstarch: Mixed with water to create a slurry that thickens the sauce, ensuring it coats the ingredients well.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To ensure your chicken stir-fry is flavorful and tender, marinate the chicken breast slices in a mixture of soy sauce, a dash of oyster sauce, and a pinch of cornstarch for about 15-20 minutes before cooking. This not only infuses the chicken with flavor but also helps to tenderize it, resulting in a more succulent dish. Additionally, when stir-frying, make sure your vegetable oil is hot enough to quickly sear the chicken and vegetables, locking in their natural juices and creating a delightful texture contrast.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
vegetable oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil provides a similar cooking medium with a slightly richer flavor profile.
vegetable oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil is a neutral-flavored oil that works well for stir-frying.
chicken breast - Substitute with tofu: Tofu is a great plant-based alternative that absorbs flavors well and provides a similar texture.
chicken breast - Substitute with shrimp: Shrimp cooks quickly and offers a different but delicious protein option for stir-fry.
mixed vegetables - Substitute with snap peas and mushrooms: Snap peas and mushrooms add a different texture and flavor while maintaining the vegetable component.
mixed vegetables - Substitute with zucchini and snow peas: Zucchini and snow peas provide a fresh and crunchy alternative to the original vegetable mix.
garlic - Substitute with ginger: Ginger offers a different aromatic profile that complements stir-fry dishes well.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor that can enhance the dish in a different way.
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that offers a similar umami flavor.
soy sauce - Substitute with coconut aminos: Coconut aminos is a soy-free alternative with a slightly sweeter taste.
oyster sauce - Substitute with hoisin sauce: Hoisin sauce provides a sweet and savory flavor similar to oyster sauce.
oyster sauce - Substitute with mushroom sauce: Mushroom sauce offers a similar umami depth without the seafood component.
cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder is a gluten-free thickening agent that works similarly to cornstarch.
cornstarch - Substitute with potato starch: Potato starch is another thickening agent that provides a similar texture to cornstarch.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the chicken stir-fry to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
Transfer the cooled stir-fry into an airtight container. Opt for a container that fits the amount of stir-fry snugly to minimize air exposure.
Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the dish within 3-4 days. This keeps the chicken and vegetables fresh and flavorful.
For longer storage, place the airtight container in the freezer. The chicken stir-fry can be frozen for up to 2 months without significant loss of quality.
When ready to enjoy your frozen creation, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture of the vegetables and chicken.
Reheat the stir-fry in a pan over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to help revive the sauce and prevent sticking.
Stir occasionally to ensure even heating, and check that the chicken is heated through before serving.
Avoid reheating in the microwave if possible, as this can lead to uneven heating and a rubbery texture in the chicken.
If you must use a microwave, cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or wrap to retain moisture, and heat in short intervals, stirring in between.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Place a skillet over medium heat and add a splash of vegetable oil or a bit of chicken broth to prevent sticking.
- Add the leftover chicken stir-fry to the skillet.
- Stir occasionally, allowing the chicken and vegetables to heat evenly.
- Cook for about 5-7 minutes until everything is heated through.
Microwave Method:
- Transfer the chicken stir-fry to a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap to retain moisture.
- Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Check if it's heated through; if not, continue in 30-second intervals.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the chicken stir-fry evenly in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes, checking to ensure it's heated thoroughly.
Steam Method:
- Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
- Place the chicken stir-fry in the basket, ensuring it's not submerged in water.
- Cover and steam for about 5-8 minutes, or until heated through.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Spread the chicken stir-fry in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
Essential Tools for This Recipe
Large pan: A wide, flat-bottomed pan is essential for stir-frying, allowing for even cooking and quick heat distribution.
Spatula: Useful for stirring and flipping ingredients in the pan, ensuring even cooking and preventing sticking.
Knife: A sharp knife is necessary for slicing the chicken breast thinly and cutting the vegetables into uniform pieces.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for safely chopping chicken and vegetables.
Measuring spoons: Used to accurately measure the vegetable oil, soy sauce, and oyster sauce for the recipe.
Mixing bowl: Handy for combining the cornstarch with water to create a slurry before adding it to the stir-fry.
Garlic press: Optional, but can be used to efficiently mince the garlic cloves if you prefer not to chop them by hand.
Time-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Prep ingredients in advance: Slice the chicken and chop the vegetables ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Use pre-cut vegetables: Save time by purchasing pre-cut mixed vegetables from the store.
Marinate the chicken: Let the chicken soak in soy sauce and oyster sauce for a few hours to enhance flavor and reduce cooking time.
Cook in batches: If your pan is small, cook the chicken and vegetables separately to ensure even cooking.
Use a non-stick pan: This reduces the need for excessive oil and speeds up cleaning.
Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 pound chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and cook until browned.
- Add garlic and mixed vegetables, stir-fry for 5 minutes.
- Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, and cornstarch mixture.
- Cook until sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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