Chicken Stir-Fry
Cuisine: American Type: Entree

Representative image. Recipe yield may differ
Amounts
Ingredient
Amount (g)
Chicken Breast
2 lbs (907)
Vegetable Oil
2 tablespoons (28)
Garlic
3 cloves (9)
Ginger
1 tablespoon (14)
Bell Pepper
1 large (173)
Onion
1 medium (110)
Broccoli
2 cups (180)
Soy Sauce
3 tablespoons (42)
Oyster Sauce
2 tablespoons (28)
Cornstarch
1 tablespoon (8)
Water
1 cup (240)
Salt
1 teaspoon (5)
Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (5)
Totals
62 oz
(1,749 g)
Calories
Ingredient
Calories (kcal)
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
165
Vegetable Oil
120
Garlic Cloves
4
Ginger
9
Carrots
52
Bell Peppers
30
Broccoli Florets
55
Soy Sauce
8
Hoisin Sauce
42
Cornstarch
30
Chicken Broth
10
Brown Sugar
52
Sesame Oil
40
Green Onions
4
Cooked Rice
206
Totals
827 kcal
Steps
1. Start by preparing the chicken. Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into thin, bite-sized strips.
2. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of cooking oil and allow it to heat up.
3. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken strips to the skillet. Stir-fry the chicken for about 5-6 minutes, or until it is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
4. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
5. In the same skillet, add a bit more oil if needed, and then add your choice of vegetables. Common vegetables used in chicken stir-fry include bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, snap peas, and onions. Stir-fry the vegetables for about 3-4 minutes, or until they are slightly tender.
6. If desired, you can also add minced garlic or ginger to the skillet for additional flavor. Stir-fry them with the vegetables for about 1 minute.
7. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir everything together to combine.
8. In a small bowl, whisk together your choice of sauce. Popular options for chicken stir-fry include soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, hoisin sauce, or a combination of these. You can also add a bit of chicken broth or cornstarch to thicken the sauce, if desired.
9. Pour the sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the skillet. Stir everything together to ensure the sauce coats all the ingredients evenly.
10. Continue to cook the stir-fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly and everything is heated through.
11. Taste the stir-fry and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add a pinch of salt, pepper, or any other desired spices at this point.
12. Once the stir-fry is ready, remove it from the heat and serve it hot. It can be enjoyed on its own or served over steamed rice or noodles.
13. Optionally, you can garnish the dish with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or cilantro for added freshness and visual appeal.
14. Enjoy your homemade chicken stir-fry!
Substitutions
- Chicken breast: Substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or tofu. Use the same quantity as specified in the recipe.
- Soy sauce: Substitute with tamari sauce or coconut aminos. Use the same quantity as specified in the recipe.
- Sesame oil: Substitute with vegetable oil or olive oil. Use the same quantity as specified in the recipe.
- Garlic: Substitute with garlic powder or minced garlic from a jar. Adjust the quantity to taste, as garlic powder is more concentrated.
- Ginger: Substitute with ground ginger or ginger paste. Adjust the quantity to taste, as ground ginger is more concentrated.
- Bell peppers: Substitute with any other colorful peppers such as red, yellow, or orange bell peppers. Use the same quantity as specified in the recipe.
- Snow peas: Substitute with snap peas or green beans. Use the same quantity as specified in the recipe.
- Carrots: Substitute with thinly sliced zucchini or julienned sweet potatoes. Use the same quantity as specified in the recipe.
- Broccoli: Substitute with cauliflower florets or green beans. Use the same quantity as specified in the recipe.
- Green onions: Substitute with regular onions or shallots. Adjust the quantity to taste.
- Cornstarch: Substitute with all-purpose flour or arrowroot powder. Use the same quantity as specified in the recipe.
- Chicken broth: Substitute with vegetable broth or water. Adjust the quantity to maintain desired consistency.
Note: Adjust cooking times and techniques as needed based on the substitute ingredients used.
Pairings
- Steamed white rice
- Lo mein noodles
- Fried rice
- Egg rolls
- Spring rolls
- Potstickers
- Sweet and sour sauce
- General Tso's sauce
- Soy sauce
- Sriracha sauce
- Fortune cookies
- Chinese hot mustard
- Sesame chicken
- Mongolian beef
- Vegetable chow mein
- Crab Rangoon
- Beef and broccoli
- Kung Pao chicken
- Orange chicken
- Thai iced tea
Upgrades
1. Improve presentation:
- Garnish the stir-fry with fresh herbs like cilantro or basil for a pop of color.
- Serve the stir-fry in a hollowed-out pineapple or bell pepper for an eye-catching presentation.
- Use a spiralizer to create vegetable noodles as a bed for the stir-fry, adding visual appeal.
2. Improve texture/flavor profile:
- Marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic for a more flavorful base.
- Add a handful of toasted cashews or sliced almonds for a crunchy texture.
- Incorporate a variety of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or water chestnuts to enhance the texture and flavor.
3. Elevate with luxurious/premium ingredients:
- Substitute regular chicken breast with tender, premium cuts like chicken tenderloin or boneless thighs.
- Include exotic mushrooms like shiitake or oyster mushrooms for a rich umami flavor.
- Drizzle the stir-fry with truffle oil or sprinkle with truffle salt to add a luxurious touch.
Remember, these enhancements are meant to elevate your chicken stir-fry and create a next-level dining experience.
Diet Restrictions
- Use skinless chicken breast instead of dark meat to reduce saturated fat content.
- Replace high-sodium soy sauce with low-sodium soy sauce or tamari to reduce sodium intake.
- Increase the amount of vegetables in the stir-fry to boost fiber and nutrient content.
- Use a healthier cooking oil like olive oil or avocado oil instead of vegetable oil for heart-healthy fats.
- Add variety to the stir-fry by including different colored vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snow peas for a wider range of nutrients.
- For those with gluten intolerance, use gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos as a soy sauce alternative.
- For individuals with lactose intolerance, avoid adding ingredients like dairy-based sauces or cheese.
- To reduce carbohydrate intake, serve the stir-fry over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of regular rice or noodles.
- For those following a vegetarian or vegan diet, substitute chicken with tofu, tempeh, or seitan.
- For individuals with diabetes, minimize the amount of added sugars by using a sugar-free stir-fry sauce or reducing the amount of sweeteners added.
Healthy Choices
- Use skinless chicken breast instead of dark meat or chicken with skin to reduce saturated fat content.
- Increase the amount of vegetables in the stir-fry to boost fiber and nutrient content.
- Opt for a variety of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, and snap peas for added vitamins and antioxidants.
- Use a minimal amount of oil for cooking or try using non-stick cooking spray to reduce added fat.
- Replace high-sodium soy sauce with reduced-sodium soy sauce or tamari to lower sodium intake.
- Consider adding fresh herbs and spices like garlic, ginger, or chili flakes for flavor instead of relying on high-sodium sauces or seasonings.
- Limit the amount of added sugar, such as honey or brown sugar, in the stir-fry sauce.
- Serve the stir-fry over a whole grain like brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice for added fiber and nutrients.
Shortcuts
1. Use pre-cut chicken or boneless, skinless chicken thighs for quicker preparation.
2. Opt for frozen stir-fry vegetable mix instead of fresh vegetables to save time on chopping.
3. Prepare a larger batch of stir-fry sauce and store it for multiple uses, reducing the need to make it from scratch each time.
4. Substitute expensive cuts of chicken with cheaper alternatives like chicken breast or tenderloin.
5. Replace specialty ingredients with common pantry staples, such as soy sauce instead of tamari or oyster sauce.
6. Cook the chicken and vegetables simultaneously in separate pans to speed up the cooking process.
7. Consider using a non-stick pan to minimize the need for excessive oil, saving both time and money.
8. Utilize leftover cooked chicken or vegetables from previous meals to reduce waste and save cooking time.
9. Incorporate rice or noodles leftover from previous meals as a base for the stir-fry, cutting down on preparation time.
10. Experiment with different seasoning combinations to enhance flavor without relying on expensive ingredients.