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This is a simple, crispy chicken stir fry bursting with color and flavor alike. We’re using verdant green beans and a decadent garlic sauce to make this at-home meal a fast favorite. Perhaps best of all is that you’ll have it ready in a little over half an hour, prep time included!
Quick and Easy Crispy Chicken Stir Fry
Stir fry isn’t just for takeout any more. This recipe is absolutely perfect for a weeknight dinner when you might be short on time and hungry for something bright, fresh, and satisfying. Using chicken as the protein and some crisp, crunchy green veggies, it’s already ticking our favorite weeknight dinner boxes.
Stir fries are quick, flexible meals made with high heat and constant movement to avoid burning. You can mix and match ingredients easily—today, we’re keeping it simple with a classic chicken stir fry.
You’ll Need
How To Make Crispy Chicken Stir Fry
This is less of a rule and more of a firm recommendation, but we strongly advise that you cook your chicken separately from your veggies. This allows you to cook the chicken to perfection without compromising on the vegetables and vice versa. In only a few easy steps, you’ll have yourself the ultimate weeknight stir fry dinner. Let’s take a look.
- First of all, start your pan on medium heat. This is to cook your neatly, evenly cubed chicken bits. Using high heat on chicken to start with is a great way to dry it out, and we want to enjoy some juicy, tender chicken.
- You need to heat the pan before adding anything else. Once the pan is warmed up, add your oil, and allow it to continue heating up until it starts to glisten.
- We strongly recommend that you work in batches. If you crowd the pan, your chicken will expel its liquid quickly, and you won’t get those lovely crispy brown edges for your stir fry. We recommend adding chicken to the hot oil in small enough batches that there’s half an inch to an inch of room between each piece. Stir it constantly, as this ensures even browning of your meat. Once your chicken has a visibly crispy sear, you can remove the chicken, and continue with your next batch. Do this until all your chicken is cooked to a similar degree.
Alternatively, you can air fry chicken in batches. Simply air fry for 9 minutes at 400°F ( 200°C).
- After cooking the chicken, crank up the heat. Add high smoke-point oil, then toss in the green beans—they should sizzle right away. Stir for a few minutes until they turn bright green and lightly blistered, not burnt.
- Lower the heat, then cook garlic, ginger, and green chili until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add soy sauce, return the chicken and green beans, toss to combine, and you’re done.
What’s in This Easy Chicken Stir Fry?
A stir fry always has protein, veggies, and sauce. Here, we use cubed chicken breast for even cooking, with green beans for crunch and sweetness. You can swap in beef, tofu, or other veggies like bell peppers or cabbage. The simple sauce blends garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and green chili for bold, savory flavor.
What To Serve With Chicken Stir Fry
Because this dish contains protein and vegetables, you can serve it as is. You don’t really need anything to accompany it at all! We encourage you to enjoy this chicken stir fry on its own, but if you want to add some carbs and bulk it out, rice is a classic in any Asian kitchen. Either jasmine rice or brown rice is perfect for this dish as they will soak up any extra sauce and won’t add any strong flavors or textures to the meal.
You can also drizzle our savory stir fry sauce over the crispy chicken right before serving for extra flavor without losing the crunch.
What Do I Need To Cook Stir Fry?
You’ll need a few key tools to make this stir fry, but we’ll bet that you probably have some – if not all – of them already.
- First of all, a sharp knife is non-negotiable. We’re dealing with chicken and tough vegetables, and every cook needs a nice, reliable, sharp knife.
- Next, you’ll want to use a decent-sized mixing bowl. It’s important that this has enough space.
- To cook your stir fry, a large skillet, or even better, a wok, is perfect. If you have the space (and your stove has the firepower), a larger wok will save you plenty of time by removing the need to work in batches.
- Finally, a trusty wooden spoon for stirring so you don’t scratch up your beautiful skillet.
More Easy Stir-Fry Dinners
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Crispy Chicken Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil, divided
- 14 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut into 3-4-inch pieces, (400 grams)
- 4-5 minced garlic cloves
- 1 sliced green chili
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger
- 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- salt , as needed
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, optional
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Toss together 2 pounds boneless and skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch pieces and 1/3 cup cornstarch in a large bowl.
- In a large skillet or wok heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium high heat. Once it is hot, add the chicken and sear until cooked through and crisp, about 7-8 minutes. Work in small batches not to overcrowd the skillet/ wok. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the remaining oil ( 2 tablespoons) to the same skillet and bring it to high heat. Once the oil is smoking, add in 14 ounces green beans, trimmed and cut into 3-4-inch pieces and cook for 5 minutes or until tender, but still crisp. Transfer to a plate. Alternatively you can air fry chicken in batches for 9 minutes at 400 F (200 C).
- Reduce the heat to medium low and allow the skillet to cool down slightly before adding 4-5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger and 1 sliced green chili. Cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce into the skillet. Return the chicken and green beans back to the skillet. Mix to coat evenly.
- Drizzle with 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil. Garnish with 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This stir fry was super easy and packed with flavor! The chicken stayed crispy, and the veggies had the perfect crunch. Way better than takeout!
Thanks, Alex! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Crispy chicken with crunchy veggies is always a winner!