Chicken Stir-Fry
A vibrant and flavorful chicken stir-fry featuring crisp peppers, tender chicken, and a savory sauce with hints of garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it offers a balanced mix of protein and vegetables with a touch of crunch from roasted peanuts for added texture.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut skinned and boneless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix slightly beaten egg white, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, soy sauce, and fresh ground pepper in a plastic bag.
- Add chicken to the bag, tie it, and refrigerate for up to 1 hour, turning the bag occasionally.
- Cut both green and red peppers into thin strips.
- Slice the yellow onion very thin and separate into rings.
- Mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch, water, sugar substitute, and sesame oil to make a slurry.
- Heat wok until very hot, pour oil down the sides of the wok and rotate to oil all sides.
- Add onion, garlic, and ginger; stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes until onion is light brown and softened.
- Add chicken and stir-fry until chicken pieces turn white.
- Add hoisin sauce and chili paste; stir for about 30 to 40 seconds.
- Stir in chicken broth and heat to boiling.
- Add the green and red pepper strips; stir-fry for about 1 minute more.
- Add the cornstarch mixture and stir until thickened.
- If desired, sprinkle with roasted peanuts.
Tips & Substitutions
For a more vibrant dish, feel free to add other vegetables like broccoli or snap peas. If you're looking for a gluten-free option, substitute soy sauce with tamari. Adjust the chili sauce to your spice preference, or replace it with Sriracha for a different flavor. To enhance the crunch, consider adding cashews instead of peanuts.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Chicken Stir-Fry over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh cucumber salad. For an Asian-inspired dinner, consider serving it with a light miso soup alongside.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, use a microwave or a skillet on low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out. Stir-frying briefly can help restore the dish's original texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Stir-Fry contains roughly 350 calories, with 4g protein, 59g carbohydrates, and 12g fat. It is an excellent source of calcium (35% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin C and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 604mg per serving (26% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
While it's best to use fresh chicken for optimal texture, you can use frozen chicken. Just ensure it is fully thawed and patted dry before marinating to avoid excess moisture, which can affect stir-frying.
What can I substitute for hoisin sauce?
If you don’t have hoisin sauce, you can mix soy sauce with a bit of honey or brown sugar, and a touch of vinegar for tang. This will mimic the sweet, salty, and slightly spicy flavors of hoisin sauce.
Is there a vegetarian version of this stir-fry?
Absolutely! You can replace the chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian option. Ensure to use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and consider adding more vegetables to enhance the dish's flavor and texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).