When it comes to quick and satisfying meals, Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry stands out as a favorite for many. This vibrant and flavorful dish not only tantalizes your taste buds but also packs in a variety of nutritious ingredients.
Why We Love This Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
What’s not to love about Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry? This dish is incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit your personal taste. Whether you’re a fan of bold flavors or prefer a milder approach, you can easily adjust the ingredients and sauce. It’s a fantastic way to sneak in your daily servings of vegetables without feeling like you’re compromising on taste. The vibrant colors of the bell peppers, mixed vegetables, and glistening chicken create not only a feast for your palate but for your eyes as well.
Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry is also a quick meal that comes together in no time. With minimal prep and cook times, you can enjoy a delicious homemade dinner with ease. Plus, it’s an excellent option for meal prep, allowing you to enjoy this delightful dish multiple times throughout the week.
Ingredients for Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
To create your Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
- 3 cups chopped mixed vegetables (asparagus, broccoli, or snap peas)
- 1 (8-ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
- 2 medium green onions, finely chopped, divided
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- Low-sodium soy sauce (for serving)
- Prepared brown rice, quinoa, noodles, or cauliflower rice (for serving)
These ingredients provide a great base for your stir fry and can be adjusted according to your preferences or what you have on hand.
How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry: Directions
Cooking Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry is simple and straightforward! Follow these steps to create a mouthwatering dish that your family will enjoy.
Prepare the sauce. Start by combining water, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small pot. Set the pot over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth. Once blended, bring it to a boil.
Thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with a bit of water until smooth. Add this mixture to the pot and whisk until the sauce thickens, which should take about 1-2 minutes. Once thickened, remove it from heat and set aside.
Cook the chicken. In a large sauté pan or wok, heat half a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add your bite-sized pieces of chicken and cook until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. This should take around 4-6 minutes. Once they are done, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Add vegetables. In the same pan, add the remaining oil. Toss in the red bell pepper strips and your mixed vegetables. Sauté them for about 3-4 minutes until they are tender but still crisp.
Combine everything. Return the cooked chicken to the pan, and add the water chestnuts. Pour the teriyaki sauce over the mixture and toss to ensure everything is well-coasted. Allow it to simmer for another 1-2 minutes to blend the flavors.
Garnish and serve. Stir in half of the finely chopped green onions. For an added touch, sprinkle sesame seeds and the remaining green onions over the stir fry. This dish is best served warm over your choice of brown rice, quinoa, noodles, or cauliflower rice.
This easy-to-follow recipe provides you with a delicious dish that combines protein and vegetables, allowing for a nourishing meal that feels indulgent yet healthy.
How to Serve Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
Serving your Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry is just as important as making it! To present this delectable dish, choose your base. Whether you opt for prepared brown rice, fluffy quinoa, or choose to stick to traditional noodles, each option provides a unique flavor and texture that complements the stir fry beautifully.
When serving, place a generous portion of the stir fry over your chosen base. This not only helps absorb the flavorful sauce but also adds an appealing contrast in colors. Don’t forget to drizzle a little extra low-sodium soy sauce over the top for those who enjoy a little added flavor kick. For an extra visual appeal, garnish with additional sesame seeds and green onion slices. Your family and guests will be impressed by both the taste and the presentation!
Expert Tips for Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
To ensure you achieve the best flavors and textures in your Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry, here are some expert tips for you:
Marinate the chicken. For an elevated flavor, marinate the chicken in a portion of the teriyaki sauce before cooking. This will allow the chicken to absorb the flavors more deeply.
Use fresh vegetables. Fresh vegetables maintain their crunch and vibrant colors, making the dish visually appealing and nutritious. Consider seasonal vegetables for added flavor and variety.
Don’t overcrowd the pan. When cooking the chicken, ensure there’s ample space in the pan so the chicken cooks evenly. Crowding can lead to steaming instead of browning.
Adjust spice levels. If you prefer a spicier dish, feel free to increase the amount of red pepper flakes in the sauce. You can also add fresh chili slices during the stir-frying process.
Experiment with different bases. While rice or noodles are traditional choices, consider serving your stir fry over spiralized vegetables for a low-carb version, or use quinoa for a protein-rich alternative.
Following these tips will help you create a stir fry that’s not just flavorful but also appealing to the eye, ensuring satisfaction for everyone at the table.
How to Store Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, you’ll be pleased to know that Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry stores well! Here’s how to keep your dish fresh:
Refrigerate promptly. Allow the stir fry to cool down to room temperature before transferring it into an airtight container. Make sure it’s sealed properly to maintain freshness.
Store in the fridge. Your stir fry can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. When stored properly, the flavors may meld even further, enhancing your leftovers.
Reheat with care. When you’re ready to enjoy the leftovers, reheat them in a pan over medium heat. You may add a splash of soy sauce or a tiny bit of water to prevent sticking and to bring back the original texture.
Now, you can relish the wonderful flavors of your Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry even on your busy days!
Variations of Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
The beauty of the Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry lies in its versatility. You can adapt the ingredients to fit your taste preferences or dietary needs. Here are some variations to consider:
Add different proteins. If you want to switch up the protein, consider using shrimp, beef, or tofu. Each option will bring its unique flavor and texture to the stir fry.
Experiment with vegetables. Feel free to mix in other vegetables like carrots, snap peas, zucchini, or baby corn to diversify the flavor profile and nutritional benefits.
Change the sauce. While traditional teriyaki sauce is a favorite, you can also experiment with other sauces such as a sweet chili sauce or even a peanut sauce for a different taste experience.
Make it spicy. For those who love a bit of heat, adding diced jalapeños or incorporating sriracha sauce into the mix can elevate your dish.
By exploring these variations, you can enjoy a new twist on your Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry whenever the craving strikes.
FAQ About Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
Can I use frozen vegetables for Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry?
Absolutely! Frozen vegetables can work well in this stir fry. Just make sure to let them thaw and drain excess water before adding them to your cooking process to avoid a watery stir fry.
How can I make the stir fry gluten-free?
To make your Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry gluten-free, use tamari instead of standard soy sauce. Simply check the labels to ensure that everything used is certified gluten-free.
Can I prepare the teriyaki sauce in advance?
Yes! You can make the teriyaki sauce ahead of time and store it in your refrigerator for up to a week. This can save you time during your cooking process.
Is Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry healthy?
Yes! This dish is packed with protein from the chicken and a variety of vitamins and minerals from the mixed vegetables, making it a nutritious meal option.
Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
Equipment
- Large sauté pan or wok
- Small pot
- Measuring Cups
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil (divided)
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces)
- 1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
- 3 cups chopped mixed vegetables (asparagus, broccoli, or snap peas)
- 1 8-ounce can sliced water chestnuts (drained)
- 2 medium green onions (finely chopped, divided)
- 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds (optional)
- to taste low-sodium soy sauce (for serving)
- prepared brown rice, quinoa, noodles, or cauliflower rice (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the teriyaki sauce by combining water, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a small pot.
- Set the pot over medium-high heat, stirring until smooth; bring to a boil.
- Thicken the sauce by mixing cornstarch with a bit of water in a small bowl; add to the pot and whisk until thickened (1-2 minutes).
- In a large sauté pan or wok, heat half a tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat; cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through (4-6 minutes).
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Add remaining oil to the pan; toss in red bell pepper and mixed vegetables; sauté until tender but crisp (3-4 minutes).
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan, add water chestnuts, and pour the teriyaki sauce over the mixture; toss to coat.
- Allow to simmer for 1-2 minutes to blend flavors; stir in half of the green onions.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and the remaining green onions; serve warm over your choice of rice, quinoa, or noodles.
Send me this recipe!
Just enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox!