Stuck in the 'what can I make that is fast and actually tastes like dinner' loop? This chicken stir-fry gets you out of it. It is quick, bright, and satisfies the crispy-veg-meets-juicy-chicken craving. It also plays well with whatever is in the crisper, so you can swap the vegetables by season or mood and still land a solid weeknight meal.
What you need
- Chicken breast fillet - 300 g
- Bell pepper - 1 (about 150 g)
- Carrot - 1 small (about 80 g)
- Green beans, fresh or frozen - 100 g
- Broccoli - 150 g (small florets)
- Garlic - 2 cloves
- Fresh ginger - a 2 cm piece (about 10 g)
- Soy sauce - 3 tbsp
- Sesame oil - 1 tsp
- Neutral cooking oil - 2 tbsp
- Cornstarch - 1 tsp (to thicken the sauce)
- Sesame seeds for serving - 1 tsp
- Salt - to taste
- Ground black pepper - a pinch
How to make it
Prep first, cook fast later. Slice the chicken into thin strips so it sears quickly and stays tender. Cut the carrot into matchsticks and the bell pepper into wide strips. Break the broccoli into small florets. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger. Using frozen green beans? Let them thaw just a bit so they heat evenly.
Stir together the sauce in a small bowl: soy sauce, sesame oil, cornstarch, a pinch of salt, and the black pepper. Give it a moment so everything blends.
Heat the neutral oil in a wok or deep skillet over high heat. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes until it picks up golden edges. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
In the same pan, add the garlic and ginger and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Tip in the carrots, bell pepper, green beans, and broccoli. Stir-fry for 5 to 6 minutes so the vegetables turn crisp-tender and vibrant.
Return the chicken to the pan and pour in the sauce. Toss everything together and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the sauce thickens into a glossy coat over every bite. Finish with sesame seeds.
Serve it right
Serve hot with steamed rice or your favorite noodles. It is a flexible, fast stir-fry that earns a spot in the weekly rotation and makes leftovers people fight over.