How To Make The Best Chicken Stir Fry

Step 1: Prep the Ingredients

Before you start cooking, make sure everything is prepped and ready to go. Stir frying happens quickly, so having everything ready is essential.

Chicken: Cut the chicken into thin, bite-sized strips or cubes. Thin pieces cook faster and evenly.
Vegetables: Slice the bell peppers, onion, and carrot. Break the broccoli into florets, and mince the garlic and ginger.

Step 2: Make the Stir Fry Sauce

In a small bowl, combine all the stir fry sauce ingredients: soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or brown sugar), sesame oil, chicken broth, and cornstarch. Whisk well until everything is fully combined and the cornstarch is dissolved. This sauce will bring all the flavors together and coat the chicken and vegetables perfectly.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is browned and cooked through. The chicken should be golden on the outside and no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Vegetables

In the same skillet or wok, add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Toss in the garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the onions, bell peppers, carrots, and broccoli. Stir fry the vegetables for 4-5 minutes until they are tender but still crisp. You want the vegetables to maintain some crunch for texture.

Step 5: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the prepared stir fry sauce over the mixture. Stir everything together to coat the chicken and vegetables evenly in the sauce. Allow it to cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and everything is well combined.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the chicken stir fry hot, either on its own or over a bed of steamed rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, or a sprinkle of chili flakes for an extra touch of flavor and color.

Tips for the Perfect Chicken Stir Fry

Cut Chicken Evenly: Make sure your chicken is cut into uniform pieces to ensure it cooks evenly and quickly.
Use High Heat: Stir frying requires high heat to cook the ingredients quickly and maintain their flavor and texture.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: If you’re making a large batch, cook the chicken and vegetables in batches. Overcrowding the pan can make the ingredients steam instead of stir-frying.
Customize the Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like snap peas, mushrooms, zucchini, or baby corn. The versatility of stir fry makes it easy to use whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Adjust the Sauce: If you like your stir fry extra saucy, double the sauce ingredients. For a lighter stir fry, reduce the sauce by half.

Variations for Chicken Stir Fry

Spicy Chicken Stir Fry: Add more chili paste or fresh chopped chili peppers to the sauce for an extra kick of heat.
Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry: Swap the soy sauce and hoisin sauce for teriyaki sauce for a sweeter and more savory version.
Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry: Increase the honey and garlic in the sauce for a sweeter and more garlicky flavor.

Conclusion

Making the best chicken stir fry is easy, fun, and results in a flavorful, satisfying dish that can be enjoyed by the whole family. With tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a savory, slightly sweet sauce, this stir fry is sure to become a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation. Plus, it’s a dish you can customize with your favorite ingredients and flavors, making it versatile and perfect for any occasion.

So grab your wok or skillet, gather your ingredients, and get ready to create the perfect chicken stir fry that everyone will love!

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