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Easy Chicken Stir Fry

Thin-sliced velveted chicken breast stir-fried with crisp bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and carrots in a glossy garlic-ginger sauce — a 20-minute weeknight dinner better than takeout.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian

Ingredients
  

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For the Chicken
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced thin against the grain (450g)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch ​
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce ​
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil ​
For the Vegetables
  • 1 ​ red bell pepper sliced into strips
  • 1 ​ yellow bell pepper sliced into strips
  • 2 cups broccoli florets cut small
  • 1 cup snap peas strings removed
  • 2 ​ medium carrots julienned
  • 3 ​ green onions cut into 1-inch pieces
For the Stir Fry Sauce
  • ⅓ cup low-sodium soy sauce ​
  • 2 tablespoon oyster sauce ​
  • 1 tablespoon honey ​
  • 3 ​ garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil ​
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper ​
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water slurry

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, toss the thin chicken slices with the cornstarch, soy sauce, and sesame oil until every piece is lightly coated. Set aside for 10 minutes while you prep the vegetables — this quick velveting step is what keeps stir-fried chicken breast silky instead of dry.
  2. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir the cornstarch slurry separately and keep it nearby — it goes in at the very end to gloss up the sauce.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon of high-smoke-point oil (avocado or peanut) in a large wok or skillet over the highest heat until it just starts to smoke. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 1–2 minutes, then toss and cook 2–3 minutes more until golden at the edges and cooked through (165°F / 74°C internal temperature). Transfer to a clean plate.
  4. Add another teaspoon of oil to the screaming-hot wok. Add the carrots and broccoli first and stir-fry 2 minutes, then add the bell peppers and snap peas and cook 2–3 minutes more, tossing constantly, until the vegetables are bright and crisp-tender. Add the green onions in the last 30 seconds.
  5. Return the chicken to the wok. Give the sauce a quick re-whisk, pour it over everything, and toss to coat. Drizzle in the cornstarch slurry while tossing; cook 1 minute until the sauce turns glossy and clings to the chicken and vegetables. Serve immediately over hot jasmine rice.

Notes

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