Are you ready to elevate your weeknight dinners with a dish that's as quick to prepare as it is bursting with flavor? Look no further than this tantalizing Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry! In just 25 minutes, you can whip up a vibrant, Asian-inspired meal that’s not only healthy but also incredibly satisfying. With tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a savory soy sauce glaze, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Dive into the world of stir-frying and discover how easy it is to create a restaurant-quality dish right in your own kitchen!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, sliced
- 2 medium zucchinis, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by slicing chicken breast into thin, even strips about 1/4 inch thick. Cut zucchinis and bell peppers into similar-sized diagonal slices to ensure uniform cooking.
- Mince garlic cloves finely and chop green onions, setting them aside separately for different stages of cooking.
- Season sliced chicken breast with salt and pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Let the chicken sit for 5 minutes to absorb the seasoning.
- Heat sesame oil in a large wok or wide skillet over medium-high heat. Wait until the oil is shimmering but not smoking.
- Add chicken strips to the hot pan, spreading them in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is golden brown and nearly cooked through.
- Add minced garlic and stir quickly to prevent burning, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Introduce sliced zucchinis and bell peppers to the pan, stirring rapidly to maintain high heat and prevent vegetables from becoming soggy.
- Pour soy sauce over the ingredients, tossing everything to ensure even coating and flavor distribution.
- Continue cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes, until vegetables are crisp-tender and chicken is completely cooked through.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles, ensuring the stir fry remains hot and vibrant.
Tips
- Prep Ahead: To save time, slice all your ingredients in advance. This way, you can focus on cooking when you're ready to stir-fry!
- Uniform Cuts: Make sure to cut your chicken and vegetables into similar sizes to ensure even cooking. This will help everything cook at the same rate and achieve that perfect tender-crisp texture.
- High Heat is Key: Stir-frying requires high heat to quickly cook the ingredients while preserving their texture and color. Make sure your pan is hot enough before adding the chicken.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If you're making a larger batch, consider cooking the chicken in batches to avoid steaming, which can happen if the pan is too crowded.
- Fresh Garlic: Use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor. Add it right after the chicken to infuse the oil with its aroma without burning.
- Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to swap in your favorite vegetables! Broccoli, snap peas, or carrots can add even more color and nutrition to your stir fry.
- Serve Hot: For the best experience, serve your stir fry immediately over steamed rice or noodles to keep everything warm and delicious.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 85mg
