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Balanced Chicken Stir Fry

This chicken stir fry features tender, caramelized chicken strips cooked quickly over high heat, combined with crisp, vibrant vegetables. The dish is brought together with a carefully crafted, flavorful sauce that balances sweet, salty, sour, and umami notes, resulting in a glossy, savory finish. The final dish is colorful, slightly sticky, and bursting with bold flavors and textures.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pieces chicken breasts thinly sliced into strips
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce low-sodium preferred
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil or neutral oil
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch dissolved in water
  • 1 cup bell peppers sliced into strips
  • 1 cup broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 inch fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tablespoon oil sesame or peanut oil

Equipment

  • Wok or large skillet
  • Sharp knife

Method
 

  1. Start by slicing the chicken breasts into thin strips and marinate them with a teaspoon of soy sauce and a pinch of cornstarch for about 10 minutes. This helps them sear better and stay tender.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and a splash of water to create your stir-fry sauce. Set it aside.
  3. Chop the bell peppers into thin strips and cut the broccoli into bite-sized florets. Keep everything ready for quick cooking.
  4. Heat your wok or skillet over high heat until it just starts to smoke, then add a tablespoon of oil and swirl to coat the pan.
  5. Add the marinated chicken strips in a single layer and cook without moving for about 2 minutes, until they develop a golden, caramelized crust. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes until just cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  6. Pour a little more oil if needed, then toss in the chopped vegetables. Stir constantly for 2-3 minutes until they are bright, slightly crisp, and fragrant with aroma.
  7. Return the chicken to the pan, then pour in the prepared sauce. Toss everything together quickly, stirring for about 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats all the ingredients with a shiny, glossy finish.
  8. Remove the stir fry from heat and let it sit for a minute to allow flavors to meld. Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds or chopped scallions if desired.