Chicken stir fry is a quick and easy dish that can be made with just a few ingredients. One of the most important components is the sauce. A good stir fry sauce can make all the difference in the world, turning a bland meal into a flavorful masterpiece. In this article, we will show you how to make an easy and delicious chicken stir fry sauce that will take your dish to the next level.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
This recipe makes enough sauce for 4-6 servings. You can easily double the recipe if you want to make more sauce or if you prefer your stir fry to be extra saucy.
Instructions
Step 1: Mix the cornstarch and water
In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. This will prevent the cornstarch from clumping up in the sauce.
Step 2: Combine ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic until well combined.
Step 3: Cook chicken
Cook your chicken in a wok or large skillet until it is no longer pink. Remove chicken from the pan and set it aside.
Step 4: Add sauce
Add the sauce to the pan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook the sauce for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it thickens.
Step 5: Add chicken and vegetables
Add the cooked chicken and your choice of vegetables to the pan and stir to coat everything in the sauce. Cook for an additional minute or two, until everything is heated through and the vegetables are crisp-tender.
Step 6: Serve
Remove from heat and serve over rice or noodles.
Variations
The beauty of stir fry is that it is easy to customize to your personal taste. Here are a few simple variations you can try:
Spicy stir fry sauce
If you like your food with a bit of heat, add 1-2 teaspoons of Sriracha or chili paste to the sauce.
Sweet and sour stir fry sauce
Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of ketchup to the sauce for a sweet and tangy flavor.
Teriyaki stir fry sauce
Replace the hoisin sauce with an equal amount of teriyaki sauce for a Japanese-inspired flavor.
Tips and Tricks
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to avoid a salty sauce.
- Don’t overcook your vegetables. You want them to be crisp-tender.
- Experiment with different vegetables. Almost any vegetable works well in stir fry.
- Make extra sauce and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Serve the stir fry with additional toppings, like chopped nuts or green onions.
Conclusion
Making a tasty chicken stir fry sauce can be an easy and fun way to experiment with flavors and make a quick and healthy meal. With a few basic ingredients, you can create a delicious sauce that will take your stir fry to the next level.
FAQs
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Q: How much chicken should I use for a stir fry?
A: Use about 1 pound of chicken per 4 servings of stir fry. -
Q: Can I use other meats for stir fry?
A: Yes, beef, pork, shrimp, and tofu are all good options for stir fry. -
Q: What are some common vegetables to use in stir fry?
A: Broccoli, bell peppers, onions, carrots, and snow peas are all popular vegetables for stir fry.
References
Adams, R. (2020). Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables. Cook’s Illustrated. Retrieved from https://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/2315-chicken-stir-fry-with-vegetables
Allrecipes. (2021). Chicken Stir-Fry. Allrecipes. Retrieved from https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/221371/chicken-stir-fry/