I recently stumbled upon a delicious recipe that has quickly become a favorite in my household – Simple Stir Fried Chicken with Snow Peas. Bursting with vibrant flavors, this dish is incredibly easy to make and perfect for those busy weeknights when you want something healthy and satisfying on the table in no time. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a savory sauce and stir-fried with crunchy snow peas for a delightful combination of textures. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned chef, this recipe is sure to please your taste buds and leave you wanting more.
Ingredients
To make this delicious stir-fried chicken with snow peas, you will need the following ingredients:
Chicken breast
Start by slicing the chicken breast into thin strips. This will ensure that the chicken cooks quickly and evenly in the stir-fry.
Snow peas
Prepare the snow peas by removing the ends and strings. This step will make them easier to eat and enhance their overall texture in the dish.
Vegetable oil
You will need vegetable oil for stir-frying the chicken and snow peas. Vegetable oil works well because of its high smoke point and neutral flavor.
Soy sauce
Soy sauce is a key ingredient in this recipe as it adds saltiness and depth of flavor to the dish. Make sure to use a good quality soy sauce for the best results.
Garlic
Mince the garlic cloves to release their aromatic flavors. Garlic adds a delicious savory element to the stir-fry.
Ginger
Grate the ginger to extract its intense and fragrant taste. Ginger adds a subtle kick to the dish and complements the other ingredients perfectly.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch is used in the marinade as a thickening agent. It helps create a glossy and velvety texture to the sauce.
Salt and pepper
Season the dish with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors of the chicken and snow peas.
Preparation
Before you start stir-frying, it’s important to take a few minutes to prepare your ingredients properly.
Slice the chicken breast into thin strips
Begin by slicing the chicken breast into thin strips. This allows for quick and even cooking in the stir-fry. Make sure to use a sharp knife and cut the chicken against the grain to ensure tenderness.
Prepare the snow peas by removing the ends and strings
To prepare the snow peas, simply snap off the ends and pull the strings along the sides. Removing these parts will make the snow peas more enjoyable to eat and give them a cleaner appearance in the dish.
Mince the garlic cloves
Mince the garlic cloves finely using a knife or a garlic press. The smaller the garlic pieces, the more flavor they will release when cooked.
Grate the ginger
Grate the ginger using a grater or a microplane. This will help extract its intense flavor and ensure it gets evenly distributed throughout the dish.
Marinade
Let’s move on to preparing the marinade for the chicken. The marinade serves two purposes: to infuse the chicken with flavor and to tenderize it.
In a bowl, combine soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, cornstarch, salt, and pepper
In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Stir the ingredients well until they are thoroughly combined. The soy sauce provides a savory base, while the garlic and ginger add their aromatic notes. The cornstarch helps create a velvety texture to the sauce, and the salt and pepper season the dish to perfection.
Add the chicken strips to the marinade, making sure each piece is coated evenly
Add the chicken strips to the marinade, making sure each piece is coated evenly. Use your hands or a spoon to toss the chicken in the marinade, ensuring that all the pieces are well-coated. This will allow the chicken to absorb the flavors and become more tender while it rests.
Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes
Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes. This will give the flavors time to penetrate the chicken and tenderize it. If you have more time, you can marinate the chicken for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for even better results.
Stir-frying
Now that you have prepared the ingredients and marinated the chicken, it’s time to start stir-frying!
Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan or wok over high heat
Start by heating vegetable oil in a large frying pan or wok over high heat. The oil should be hot enough so that when you add the chicken, it sizzles immediately.
Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until it is cooked through and slightly browned
Add the marinated chicken to the hot pan and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until it is cooked through and slightly browned. Use a spatula or tongs to continuously toss and stir the chicken, ensuring that all sides cook evenly. The high heat will help seal in the juices and create a delicious caramelized crust on the chicken.
Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside
Once the chicken is cooked through and slightly browned, remove it from the pan and set it aside in a separate plate or bowl. This step allows the chicken to rest and ensures it stays juicy while you finish cooking the snow peas.
Snow peas
Now it’s time to cook the snow peas and incorporate them into the stir-fry!
Add the snow peas to the hot pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender
Add the snow peas to the hot pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until they are bright green and slightly tender. Continuously stir the snow peas with a spatula or tongs to prevent them from burning. The high heat will cook the snow peas quickly, while still maintaining their vibrant color and crisp texture.
Return the chicken to the pan and mix it with the snow peas
Return the cooked chicken to the pan and mix it with the snow peas. Toss the ingredients together to ensure they are well-combined. This step helps the chicken absorb some of the flavors from the snow peas and creates a cohesive stir-fry.
Sauce
A flavorful sauce is what brings this stir-fry together. Let’s make it!
In a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, cornstarch, and water
In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, cornstarch, and water. Stir the ingredients together until the cornstarch has dissolved and the mixture is smooth. This sauce will add a glossy coating to the stir-fry and infuse it with extra flavor.
Add the sauce mixture to the pan and stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens
Add the sauce mixture to the pan and stir-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens. The cornstarch will thicken the sauce as it heats up, creating a luscious coating on the chicken and snow peas. Make sure to continuously stir so that the sauce evenly coats the ingredients.
Serve
Your simple stir-fried chicken with snow peas is ready to be served!
Transfer the stir-fried chicken and snow peas to a serving dish
Transfer the stir-fried chicken and snow peas to a serving dish. Use a spatula or tongs to carefully move the dish, ensuring that the chicken and snow peas are evenly distributed.
Garnish with sliced green onions or sesame seeds if desired
For an extra pop of flavor and visual appeal, garnish your stir-fry with sliced green onions or sesame seeds. These additions add a touch of freshness and a subtle crunch to the overall dish.
Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles
Your simple stir-fried chicken with snow peas is best enjoyed hot, served with steamed rice or noodles on the side. The combination of tender chicken, crisp snow peas, and flavorful sauce will create a delightful meal that is both satisfying and healthy.
Tips
To help you make the most out of your stir-fry, here are a few helpful tips:
To save time, you can slice the chicken and prepare the marinade ahead of time
To streamline the cooking process, you can slice the chicken and prepare the marinade ahead of time. This way, when you’re ready to cook, all you have to do is toss the chicken in the marinade and let it sit for the required time. This tip is especially useful if you have a busy schedule or want to get dinner on the table quickly.
You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots for extra color and flavor
While this stir-fry is delicious on its own, you can always get creative and add other vegetables to the mix. Bell peppers or carrots are great options as they bring additional crunch, color, and flavor to the dish. Simply slice them thinly and stir-fry them along with the snow peas for a more diverse stir-fry.
Adjust the amount of soy sauce and spices according to your taste preference
Feel free to adjust the amount of soy sauce and spices in the marinade and sauce according to your taste preference. If you prefer a stronger soy sauce flavor, you can add a bit more to the marinade or sauce. Similarly, if you enjoy a spicier stir-fry, you can add a dash of red pepper flakes or chili sauce to amp up the heat. Personalize the dish to your liking and enjoy each bite even more!
In conclusion, this simple stir-fried chicken with snow peas recipe is a quick and delicious meal that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner. With its tender chicken, crisp snow peas, and flavorful sauce, it’s a perfect balance of textures and flavors. So give it a try, and enjoy this delightful stir-fry with your favorite side of rice or noodles.
