Chicken & Mushroom Stir Fry
Need a quick and tasty meal for busy weeknights? This Chicken & Mushroom Stir-Fry is the perfect solution! Featuring tender chicken, savory mushrooms, and crisp vegetables, this dish is loaded with flavor thanks to a rich sauce and a simple marinade. The stir-fry delivers a delightful combination of Asian-inspired tastes, enhanced by a touch of heat from dried red chilies. Best of all, it’s ready in no time, making it an ideal choice for those who want a delicious, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients:
**For the Stir-Fry:**
– 10.5 oz (300 g) chicken breast, thinly sliced
– 3 dry red chilies, sliced (optional for spice)
– 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
– 2 slices ginger, julienned
– 2 scallions, chopped into 2-inch segments
– 10 mushrooms, cubed or sliced
– ½ bell pepper, thinly sliced
– ½ sweet onion, thinly sliced
– 2 spring onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
– 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
– Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
**For the Chicken Marinade:**
– 1 teaspoon corn starch
– 1 teaspoon sesame oil
– 1 teaspoon sugar
– 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
– ¼ teaspoon baking soda
**For the Sauce Mix:**
– 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
– 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
– 1 teaspoon sesame oil
– 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
– 1 teaspoon sugar
– 1 teaspoon corn starch
– ¼ teaspoon white pepper
Instructions:
1. **Marinate the Chicken:**
In a bowl, combine sliced chicken with corn starch, sesame oil, sugar, light soy sauce, and baking soda. Mix well to coat the chicken and marinate for 10-15 minutes to tenderize and infuse it with flavor.
2. **Prepare the Sauce Mix:**
While the chicken marinates, whisk together oyster sauce, light soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sugar, corn starch, and white pepper in a small bowl. Set aside; this will add a rich, umami flavor to your stir-fry.
3. **Stir-Fry the Aromatics:**
Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add garlic, ginger, and dried red chilies (if using). Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
4. **Cook the Chicken:**
Add the marinated chicken to the pan and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned and almost cooked through.
5. **Stir-Fry the Vegetables:**
Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add mushrooms, bell pepper, sweet onion, and spring onions. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp, and the mushrooms have released some moisture.
6. **Combine Everything:**
Add the prepared sauce mix to the pan, stirring everything together. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat the chicken and vegetables.
7. **Garnish and Serve:**
Once the stir-fry is well combined and the sauce has thickened, remove from heat. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor and serve immediately.
This quick and easy Chicken & Mushroom Stir-Fry combines the perfect blend of textures, spices, and flavors, making it a go-to for any weeknight meal!