Sesame Ginger Chicken Stir Fry

$- Chicken Breast: You need 1 pound of chicken breast. Slice it thinly for quick cooking. Chicken adds protein and flavor to your dish. - Vegetables: Use 1 cup of broccoli florets, 1 sliced red bell pepper, and 1 cup of snap peas. These veggies bring color and crunch. They also add vitamins and minerals. - Sauces and Flavorings: You will use 3 tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar. Add 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds, 3 cloves of minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger for a punch of flavor. - Cooking Oil: Use 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. This oil gives a rich, nutty taste to your stir fry. - Rice or Noodles for Serving: Have cooked rice or noodles ready. They serve as a base for your stir fry. Enjoy your meal over a fluffy bed of rice or twirled noodles. {{ingredient_image_1}} Preparing Ingredients First, gather all your ingredients. You will need: - 1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced - 2 tablespoons sesame oil - 1 cup broccoli florets - 1 red bell pepper, sliced - 1 cup snap peas - 3 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated - 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium) - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 2 tablespoons sesame seeds - 2 green onions, sliced - Cooked rice or noodles for serving Make sure to wash and chop the vegetables. This step helps add flavor and color. Marinating Chicken You can marinate the chicken for extra flavor. Mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Place the sliced chicken in a bowl and add the marinade. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. This process makes the chicken juicy and tasty. Heating the Skillet Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sesame oil, letting it get hot. This will help the chicken cook evenly and add a nice flavor. Stir-Frying Chicken Add the marinated chicken to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes. Stir often until the chicken is no longer pink. This keeps the chicken tender. Adding Vegetables and Sauce Once the chicken cooks, stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger. Cook for another 1-2 minutes. Then, add broccoli, red bell pepper, and snap peas. Stir-fry these veggies for about 3-4 minutes. You want them tender but still crisp. In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce and rice vinegar. Pour this sauce over the chicken and veggies. Stir well to coat everything. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Now, you can remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top. Your Sesame Ginger Chicken Stir Fry is ready to serve! Enjoy it over rice or noodles for a complete meal. How to Achieve Perfectly Cooked Chicken To get juicy, tender chicken, start with thin slices. Thin pieces cook faster and stay moist. Heat the sesame oil in your skillet until hot. Add the chicken and cook for about 5-7 minutes. Stir it often to avoid burning. Look for no pink spots to know it’s done. This keeps the chicken flavorful and tender. Stir-Fry Techniques for Crisp Vegetables For crisp vegetables, cook them quickly over high heat. After adding the garlic and ginger, toss in the broccoli, red bell pepper, and snap peas. Stir-fry these for about 3-4 minutes. You want them bright and slightly tender. This quick cooking keeps their color and crunch, making them tasty and healthy. Adjusting Soy Sauce and Vinegar Ratios The balance of soy sauce and rice vinegar is key. If you like it saltier, add more soy sauce. For a tangy kick, increase the vinegar. Start with the amounts in the recipe, then taste. Adjust as needed to match your flavor preference. This step is vital for a delicious stir fry. Adding Extra Spices or Herbs To make your stir fry special, try adding spices or herbs. Consider chili flakes for heat or fresh cilantro for brightness. You can also add a dash of sesame oil at the end for extra flavor. These little changes can elevate the dish and keep it exciting every time you make it. Pro Tips Slice Chicken Thinly: Cutting the chicken into thin strips allows for quicker and more even cooking, ensuring a tender texture. Veggie Crispness: To maintain the vibrant color and crispness of the vegetables, avoid overcooking them; they should be tender-crisp. Ginger Freshness: For the best flavor, use fresh ginger instead of powdered ginger, and grate it just before adding to the stir fry. Serving Suggestions: Serve your stir fry over jasmine rice or udon noodles for a delightful meal, and don’t forget to sprinkle extra sesame seeds on top! {{image_2}} Using Different Proteins (Tofu, Beef) You can swap chicken for tofu or beef. Tofu gives a nice texture and absorbs flavors well. Use firm tofu and press it to remove water. Cut it into cubes and stir-fry until golden. If you choose beef, use thinly sliced flank steak or sirloin. Cook it until it's browned and tender. Mixing Up the Vegetables Feel free to change the veggies in your stir fry. Use carrots, bell peppers, or bok choy. You can even add mushrooms for an earthy taste. Just make sure to cut them into even pieces. This way, they cook evenly and stay crunchy. Pairing with Different Rice or Noodles Serve the stir fry over rice or noodles. Jasmine or brown rice adds a nice touch. If you want something lighter, try rice noodles or soba noodles. They soak up the sauce well and add flavor. Creating a One-Pan Meal Make this a one-pan meal by adding cooked rice right into the stir fry. Toss everything together at the end. This saves time and makes cleanup easy. If you want extra flavor, add more soy sauce and sesame oil as you mix. After cooking, let your stir fry cool down. This step helps keep the food safe. Once cool, pack the stir fry into airtight containers. This method keeps the flavors fresh. Use glass or plastic containers that seal well. Label the containers with the date. This way, you know how long they last. To reheat, use a skillet over medium heat. This method warms the food evenly. You can also use a microwave. If using a microwave, cover the dish to trap steam. This helps keep the chicken moist. Stir the food halfway through reheating. You want even warmth. To retain texture and flavor, avoid reheating too long. Overheating makes the chicken tough. Aim for a warm center without boiling. Enjoy the fresh taste of your sesame ginger chicken stir fry every time! Can I use frozen vegetables for this stir fry? Yes, you can use frozen vegetables. They save time and are easy to find. Just add them directly to the pan. Cook them a bit longer to ensure they heat through. How do I make the sauce thicker? To thicken the sauce, mix a bit of cornstarch with cold water. Stir this into the sauce while it cooks. The sauce will become thicker as it heats. Is sesame oil necessary for the recipe? Sesame oil adds a rich flavor to the dish. If you don't have it, you can use another oil. Just know that the taste will change. Is this recipe gluten-free? The recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free soy sauce. Always check the labels of your ingredients to be sure. Can it be made keto-friendly? Yes, this recipe can be keto-friendly. Use less soy sauce and serve it with cauliflower rice instead of regular rice or noodles. What are some low-sodium alternatives? You can use low-sodium soy sauce for a lighter option. Other choices include coconut aminos or homemade sauce with less salt. This blog post covered how to make a delicious stir fry. You learned about the key ingredients like chicken, vegetables, and flavorful sauces. I shared easy steps for preparing and cooking. There are helpful tips to ensure perfect chicken and crisp veggies. You can also adapt the recipe by swapping proteins and experimenting with sides. Storing leftovers is simple, too. With these insights, you can create tasty meals on any day. Enjoy being creative in your kitchen!$

Sesame Ginger Chicken Stir Fry

A flavorful stir fry featuring chicken, fresh vegetables, and a sesame ginger sauce.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 cup broccoli florets
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
1 cup snap peas
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 medium green onions, sliced
as needed cooked rice or noodles for serving

Instructions

In a large skillet or wok, heat the sesame oil over medium-high heat.
Add the sliced chicken breast to the skillet and stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink.
Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the broccoli, red bell pepper, and snap peas to the pan. Continue to stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce and rice vinegar, then pour it over the chicken and vegetable mixture in the skillet. Stir well to coat all the ingredients.
Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.

Notes

Serve the stir fry over a bed of fluffy rice or noodles and garnish with extra sesame seeds and green onions for added color and crunch.

Keyword chicken, ginger, quick meal, sesame, stir fry