Dive into a delightful culinary experience with this garlic sesame stir-fry, a dish that combines the rich flavors of sesame oil and soy sauce with the freshness of broccoli and red bell pepper. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, offering a satisfying balance of protein and vegetables. The chicken breast is cooked to perfection, while the sesame seeds and green onions add a final touch of texture and flavor.
When preparing this recipe, you might need to ensure you have sesame oil and sesame seeds on hand, as they are not always staples in every kitchen. These ingredients can typically be found in the international or Asian section of most supermarkets. Additionally, fresh green onions and red bell pepper might not be in your pantry, so be sure to pick them up to enhance the freshness and color of your dish.
Ingredients For Garlic Sesame Stir-Fry
Sesame oil: A fragrant oil that adds a nutty flavor to the dish, essential for authentic stir-fry taste.
Garlic: Freshly minced to infuse the dish with a robust and aromatic flavor.
Chicken breast: Lean protein, sliced thin for quick cooking and tenderness.
Broccoli: Provides a healthy crunch and vibrant color, rich in vitamins.
Red bell pepper: Adds sweetness and a pop of color, balancing the savory elements.
Soy sauce: A salty, umami-rich sauce that ties all the flavors together.
Sesame seeds: Adds a subtle crunch and enhances the sesame flavor profile.
Green onions: Chopped for a fresh, mild onion flavor and garnish.
Technique Tip for This Stir-Fry
To enhance the flavor of your garlic, try gently smashing the cloves with the flat side of a knife before mincing. This releases more of the aromatic oils, giving your stir-fry a richer taste. When cooking the chicken, ensure the slices are uniform in thickness for even cooking. If you prefer a bit of crunch in your broccoli and bell pepper, stir-fry them quickly over high heat to maintain their vibrant color and texture. For an added layer of flavor, lightly toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan before sprinkling them over the dish.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Sesame oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil provides a similar richness and can handle high heat, though it lacks the nutty flavor of sesame oil.
Garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it is less pungent than fresh garlic. Use about ¼ teaspoon per clove.
Chicken breast - Substitute with tofu: Tofu is a great plant-based alternative that absorbs flavors well and provides a similar texture when cooked.
Broccoli florets - Substitute with cauliflower florets: Cauliflower has a similar texture and can be used in the same way as broccoli in stir-fry dishes.
Red bell pepper - Substitute with yellow bell pepper: Yellow bell peppers have a similar sweetness and crunch, making them a good alternative.
Soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that offers a similar umami flavor profile to soy sauce.
Sesame seeds - Substitute with sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds provide a similar crunch, though they have a different flavor profile.
Green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives offer a mild onion flavor that can replace green onions in recipes.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Stir-Fry
How to Store or Freeze This Stir-Fry
Allow the stir-fry to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
Transfer the garlic sesame stir-fry into an airtight container. Choose a container that fits the amount of food snugly to minimize air exposure.
Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The chicken and vegetables will maintain their flavor and texture within this timeframe.
For freezing, place the cooled stir-fry in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container with the date. This helps keep track of how long it has been stored.
Freeze for up to 2 months. Beyond this, the quality may start to degrade, affecting the taste and texture of the broccoli and bell pepper.
To reheat, thaw the stir-fry in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This gradual thawing helps maintain the integrity of the chicken and vegetables.
Reheat in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of soy sauce or sesame oil to refresh the flavors. Stir occasionally until heated through.
Alternatively, use a microwave. Place the stir-fry in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Microwave Method: Place the Garlic Sesame Stir-Fry in a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for about 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Check if the chicken and vegetables are heated thoroughly. If not, continue heating in 30-second intervals.
Stovetop Method: Add a splash of water or a bit more sesame oil to a pan over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, add the leftover stir-fry. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to heat evenly. Cook for about 5-7 minutes or until the chicken and broccoli are heated through.
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the stir-fry evenly in an oven-safe dish. Cover with foil to prevent drying out. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure it doesn't overcook. This method is great for maintaining the texture of the vegetables.
Steamer Method: If you have a steamer basket, this is a gentle way to reheat without drying out the dish. Place the stir-fry in the basket over simmering water. Cover and steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until everything is heated through. This method helps retain the vibrant colors of the bell pepper and broccoli.
Essential Tools for Making This Stir-Fry
Large pan: A spacious cooking surface is essential for stir-frying ingredients evenly and ensuring they cook through without overcrowding.
Spatula: Useful for stirring and flipping ingredients in the pan, ensuring even cooking and preventing sticking.
Knife: Necessary for slicing the chicken breast, bell pepper, and chopping the garlic and green onions.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for safely chopping and slicing ingredients.
Measuring spoons: Used to accurately measure the sesame oil and soy sauce for the recipe.
Garlic press: Optional, but helpful for quickly mincing garlic if you prefer not to chop it by hand.
Serving dish: Ideal for presenting the finished stir-fry once it's ready to be served.
How to Save Time on This Stir-Fry Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Chop garlic, slice chicken, and cut vegetables in advance to streamline cooking.
Use a single pan: Minimize cleanup by using one large pan for the entire stir-fry process.
Preheat the pan: Ensure the sesame oil is hot before adding ingredients for faster cooking.
Batch cook: Double the recipe and store leftovers for quick meals later in the week.
Frozen vegetables: Substitute fresh broccoli and bell pepper with frozen ones to save on prep time.
Garlic Sesame Stir-Fry
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound chicken breast, sliced thin
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Heat sesame oil in a large pan over medium heat.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add chicken and cook until browned.
- Add broccoli and bell pepper, stir-fry until tender.
- Pour in soy sauce and mix well.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Stir-Fry
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