Homestyle Chicken Stir-fry
Homestyle Chicken Stir-fry
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, tenderized and cut into 1-inch pieces
For the Marinade
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 egg white
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for topping marinade
For the Stir-fry Vegetables
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for stir-frying
Instructions
- 1
Place chicken thighs on a clean cutting board. Using a meat tenderizer or the flat side of a cleaver, lightly pound and flatten the chicken to break up muscle fibers and tenderize it. Cut the tenderized chicken into 1-inch strips or bite-sized pieces.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Transfer the cut chicken to a medium-sized bowl. Add the water, soy sauce, granulated sugar, white pepper, and egg white. Using your hands, thoroughly massage all the ingredients into the chicken for 1-2 minutes until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Add the cornstarch to the marinated chicken and continue to massage until the chicken is well coated and the mixture is uniform and slightly thickened. Pour the 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the marinated chicken, gently tossing to coat, which helps prevent oxidation and keeps the chicken moist. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
While the chicken marinates, prepare the vegetables by slicing the yellow onion, red bell pepper, and celery stalks.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Heat the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, developing a slightly crispy exterior. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 6
Add the sliced yellow onion, red bell pepper, and celery to the same pan (add a splash more oil if needed). Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables.
⏱️ 8 min
- 7
Toss everything together to combine and heat through, about 1-2 minutes. At this point, you may add additional seasoning to taste, such as a dash more soy sauce, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Homestyle Chicken Stir-fry
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, tenderized and cut into 1-inch pieces
For the Marinade
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 egg white
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon olive oil, for topping marinade
For the Stir-fry Vegetables
- 1 yellow onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for stir-frying
Instructions
- 1
Place chicken thighs on a clean cutting board. Using a meat tenderizer or the flat side of a cleaver, lightly pound and flatten the chicken to break up muscle fibers and tenderize it. Cut the tenderized chicken into 1-inch strips or bite-sized pieces.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Transfer the cut chicken to a medium-sized bowl. Add the water, soy sauce, granulated sugar, white pepper, and egg white. Using your hands, thoroughly massage all the ingredients into the chicken for 1-2 minutes until well combined.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Add the cornstarch to the marinated chicken and continue to massage until the chicken is well coated and the mixture is uniform and slightly thickened. Pour the 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the marinated chicken, gently tossing to coat, which helps prevent oxidation and keeps the chicken moist. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
While the chicken marinates, prepare the vegetables by slicing the yellow onion, red bell pepper, and celery stalks.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Heat the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, developing a slightly crispy exterior. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 6
Add the sliced yellow onion, red bell pepper, and celery to the same pan (add a splash more oil if needed). Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp. Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables.
⏱️ 8 min - 7
Toss everything together to combine and heat through, about 1-2 minutes. At this point, you may add additional seasoning to taste, such as a dash more soy sauce, a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat, or a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 2 min