You know those nights? The ones where the clock is ticking too fast, the fridge looks a little sad, and the thought of cooking something complicated feels like climbing Mount Everest in flip-flops? Yeah, I live for those nights because they’re the birthplace of my absolute favorite quick fix: this Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce. Trust me, I’ve spent years tweaking recipes to be both lightning-fast and outrageously tasty, and this one? It’s a bona fide winner. It’s got that perfect balance of savory, sweet, and a little bit of zing, all thanks to a homemade teriyaki sauce that’ll make you swear off the bottled stuff forever. It’s my go-to when I need a satisfying meal on the table in under 30 minutes, and I bet it’ll become yours too!
Why You’ll Love This Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce
Seriously, why wouldn’t you love this? It’s:
- Super Speedy: Dinner on the table in about 30 minutes, start to finish. Perfect for those busy weeknights!
- Crazy Easy: No fancy techniques here. Just chop, whisk, and stir-fry. Even beginner cooks can nail this one.
- So Versatile: Don’t like broccoli? Swap it out! Throw in whatever veggies you have hanging around. It’s pretty forgiving!
- Packed with Flavor: That homemade teriyaki sauce is a game-changer. It’s savory, sweet, and oh-so-satisfying.
Gather Your Ingredients for Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce
Alright, let’s get our ducks in a row! Gathering your ingredients is half the battle for a quick and tasty stir fry. Here’s what you’ll need for this Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty standard stuff you might already have!
For the main event, you’ll want:
- Chicken: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Just chop ’em up into bite-sized pieces so they cook nice and fast.
- Oil: 1 tablespoon of good old vegetable oil for that initial sizzle.
- Veggies:
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup snap peas for that lovely crunch!
Now for the magic sauce – our homemade teriyaki! This is where all the flavor lives:
- Soy Sauce: 1/4 cup. The salty, savory base.
- Honey: 2 tablespoons. For that lovely sweetness.
- Rice Vinegar: 1 tablespoon. Adds a little tang to cut through the richness.
- Fresh Ginger: 1 teaspoon, grated. Gives it that zesty kick.
- Garlic: 1 clove, minced. Because garlic makes everything better, right?
And to thicken it all up nicely:
- Cornstarch: 1 teaspoon.
- Water: 2 tablespoons.
Oh, and don’t forget about serving! You’ll want some cooked rice ready to go.
Essential Equipment for Making Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce
Okay, so you don’t need a fancy professional kitchen for this, but having the right tools makes it a breeze! You’ll want a large skillet or a wok – that’s where all the magic happens. Make sure you have a couple of small bowls handy for mixing up your sauce and the cornstarch slurry. And of course, a whisk is essential for getting those sauces smooth!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce
Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic really happens. Don’t get intimidated, this is seriously straightforward and pretty fun. First things first, gather everything we talked about before – prep is key when you’re going for speed!
Step 1: Mix up that amazing teriyaki sauce. Grab a small bowl and whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, that lovely grated ginger, and the minced garlic. Give it a good whisk until it’s all combined and smells incredible. This is the flavor powerhouse, seriously. You can even check out my other teriyaki sauce recipe if you’re feeling adventurous!
Step 2: Prep your thickener. In *another* tiny bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. You want it super smooth, like a thin paste. This little slurry is what’s going to make your sauce nice and glossy and clingy to everything.
Step 3: Get your pan hot! Place your big skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add that tablespoon of vegetable oil. You want it nice and hot, but not smoking like crazy. A good way to tell is if a drop of water sizzles and evaporates instantly.
Step 4: Cook the chicken. Toss that chopped chicken into the hot pan. Stir it around and let it brown up nicely. It should take about 5-7 minutes, and you want it cooked all the way through – no pink bits allowed! Once it’s done, carefully scoop it out of the pan and set it aside on a plate. Don’t wash the pan!
Step 5: Veggie time! Now, throw in all your beautiful veggies: the broccoli florets, both bell peppers, and those snap peas. Stir-fry them for about 3 to 5 minutes. You want them to be tender-crisp – that means they’re bright and slightly firm, not mushy. Give them a good toss so they cook evenly. You’ll see them change color and get a little more vibrant.
Step 6: Bring it all back together. Now, pop that cooked chicken back into the skillet with the veggies. Give it all a quick stir.
Step 7: Sauce it up! Pour that amazing teriyaki sauce mixture you made earlier all over the chicken and veggies. Let it come up to a nice simmer. Smells good, right?
Step 8: Thicken the sauce. This is the final touch! Give your cornstarch slurry another quick whisk (it can settle) and pour it into the simmering sauce while stirring *constantly*. Keep stirring for just a minute or two until the sauce thickens up beautifully. It should coat the back of your spoon nicely. Be careful, it can splatter a bit!
Step 9: Serve it up! Get your cooked rice ready in bowls. Spoon that glorious chicken stir fry right over the top. Dig in immediately while it’s hot and delicious!
Tips for the Perfect Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce
Okay, friend, so you’ve got the recipe, but let’s talk about taking this Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce from good to totally unforgettable. I’ve learned a few tricks over the years messing around in my kitchen, and trust me, they make a world of difference!
First off, don’t overcrowd the pan. Seriously, it’s tempting to shove everything in at once, but this makes your ingredients steam instead of stir-fry. Cook your chicken in batches if you have to – it’s worth it for that perfect sear! Also, for an extra layer of flavor that’s just divine, you can marinate your chicken pieces for about 15-30 minutes in a little bit of soy sauce and ginger before you start. Kind of like a little flavor boost before the main event! I have a whole chicken marinade recipe that works wonders if you have a bit more time.
And about those veggies? Make sure they’re tender-crisp. That means they should still have a little bite to them, not be totally limp and sad. That’s where the flavor and texture really shine!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Okay, so sometimes you might be missing an ingredient or want to switch things up, and that’s totally fine with this stir fry! For the rice vinegar, if you don’t have it, a tiny splash of white vinegar or even apple cider vinegar can work in a pinch, just use a bit less since they can be stronger. If you can’t find snap peas, green beans or even some thinly sliced snow peas are great alternatives. And don’t be afraid to toss in other veggies like sliced carrots, mushrooms, or onions – they all taste amazing with that teriyaki sauce!
Serving Suggestions for Your Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce
This Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce is such a complete meal on its own, but it really sings when served over something fluffy, right? My absolute favorite is, of course, fluffy white rice! Jasmine or basmati make it feel extra special. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, some cooked noodles, like udon or even lo mein, are fantastic too. And for a little freshness, a crisp cucumber salad or some steamed edamame on the side just rounds everything out beautifully. You could even try it with some shrimp fried rice for a double dose of awesome!
Frequently Asked Questions About Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce
Got questions? I’ve got answers! People always ask me about tweaking this Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce, and honestly, it’s so forgiving. Here are a few things that pop up:
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are actually fantastic in stir-fries because they’re a bit more forgiving and tend to stay super juicy. Just trim off any excess fat and cut them into bite-sized pieces. The cooking time might be a minute or two longer than breasts, but you really can’t go wrong. They absorb flavor like a dream!
How can I make this stir fry spicier?
Easy peasy! If you like a little heat, just add some red pepper flakes right in with the garlic and ginger when you’re making the teriyaki sauce. Start with about 1/4 teaspoon and taste as you go. You could also add a swirl of sriracha or chili garlic sauce at the very end, or even toss in some fresh jalapeño slices with your other veggies!
Can I prepare parts of this ahead of time?
Yes, you can totally prep ahead! I often chop all my veggies and chicken earlier in the day or even the night before. The teriyaki sauce can also be mixed up ahead of time and stored in the fridge. Just give it a good whisk before you use it. The only thing I really recommend doing right before you cook is making that cornstarch slurry and cooking the stir fry itself.
Nutritional Information
Just a friendly heads-up, the nutritional info for this Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce is an estimate, okay? It can totally change depending on what brands you use, exactly how much you eat, and if you sneak in extra veggies (which you should!). But ballpark, you’re looking at around:
- Calories: 350 per serving
- Protein: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 10g
Remember, this is just a guide to give you an idea!
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Delicious Chicken Stir Fry With Teriyaki Sauce
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and flavorful chicken stir fry with a homemade teriyaki sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup snap peas
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic.
- In another small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Add broccoli, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and snap peas to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Return chicken to the skillet.
- Pour the soy sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 1-2 minutes.
- Serve immediately over cooked rice.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, or onions.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stir-fry
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: chicken stir fry, teriyaki sauce, easy dinner, quick meal, asian recipe