Description
This easy Chicken Stir Fry recipe combines tender chicken, fresh colorful vegetables, and a flavorful natural sauce for a vibrant and nutritious meal. Ready in under 30 minutes, it is perfect for quick weeknight dinners, balancing healthy ingredients with bold flavors and minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 500g boneless skinless chicken thighs, sliced into strips
Vegetables
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 large carrot, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 green onions, sliced (for garnish)
Sauce (Natural)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup (natural)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon natural gelling agent slurry (e.g., pectin, agar, carrageenan)
To Cook and Serve
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil for cooking
- Cooked rice or noodles, to serve
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Slice the chicken thighs into even strips to ensure quick, uniform cooking. Chop all vegetables into bite-sized pieces for easy eating and balanced flavor. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger to release their vibrant aromas.
- Mix the Sauce (Natural): In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce (natural), vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup (natural), and sesame oil. Stir in the natural gelling agent slurry to help the sauce thicken as it cooks.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a splash of sesame oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken strips and cook until golden brown and just cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Stir Fry the Vegetables: In the same pan, add a bit more sesame oil if needed then add garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant. Add the bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots, stirring constantly to keep them crisp-tender and vibrant in color.
- Combine and Finish: Return the chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the sauce (natural) over everything and stir well. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes as the sauce thickens and coats all the ingredients.
- Serve Hot and Fresh: Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles, garnished with fresh sliced green onions for a fresh finish and pop of color.
Notes
- Use a hot pan to ensure the chicken sears quickly and vegetables stay crisp.
- Prep all ingredients before cooking to streamline the process.
- Cut all ingredients uniformly for even cooking and a nice presentation.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary to avoid steaming the vegetables.
- Add the natural gelling agent slurry gradually to achieve the perfect sauce thickness.
- Customize the recipe by swapping chicken with turkey breast, firm tofu, or shrimp.
- Try grain-free options like cauliflower rice or spiralized zucchini noodles as a base.
- Add heat with sliced chili peppers or natural hot sauce if desired.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds or finely chopped fresh cilantro for extra aroma and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stir Fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: Thirty grams
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: chicken stir fry, quick dinner, healthy stir fry, easy chicken recipe, weeknight meal, natural sauce
