Mandy Croft
Chicken and water chestnut stir-fry is a classic Asian-inspired dish that perfectly balances tender protein with crisp, refreshing vegetables in a savory sauce. This dish is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner but carries enough depth of flavor to impress guests. Featuring delightful textures and vibrant colors, the recipe is both healthy and satisfying. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare an authentic, quick, and delicious chicken and water chestnut stir-fry.
Key Ingredients
- Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are preferred for their lean quality and ease of cutting into uniform bite-sized pieces. Chicken thighs can also be used for richer flavor.
- Water Chestnuts: Known for their crisp texture and mild nutty flavor, water chestnuts add a pleasant crunch that contrasts beautifully with the tender chicken.
- Vegetables: Typically includes broccoli florets and red bell peppers, adding both color and nutrition to the dish.
- Aromatics: Fresh minced garlic, ginger, and green onion bottoms provide the foundation for the dish’s fragrant aroma and taste.
- Sauce: A mix of soy sauce and chicken stock enhanced with toasted sesame oil forms the savory base. Cornstarch slurry is used to thicken the sauce, binding all the delicious flavors.
- Cooking oil: Peanut oil or sesame oil are ideal for stir-frying due to their high smoke points and complementary flavors.
- Rice: Steamed white or brown rice is traditionally served alongside to make a complete meal.
Step-by-Step Preparation
1. Prep Ingredients
- Dice chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
- Julienne red bell peppers and blanch broccoli florets.
- Drain canned or freshly peeled water chestnuts.
- Mince garlic, ginger, and green onions.
2. Heat the Oil
Place a wok or a large skillet over high heat and swirl in peanut or sesame oil. Heat until the oil just starts to smoke.
3. Cook Aromatics and Chicken
Quickly add garlic, ginger, and green onion bottoms to the hot oil, sautéing until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add the diced chicken and stir-fry continuously until lightly browned but not fully cooked, approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Vegetables
Introduce julienned red bell peppers, water chestnuts, and blanched broccoli to the wok. Stir-fry the mixture for 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender-crisp.
5. Create and Thicken Sauce
Pour in soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, and chicken stock. Add the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water) to the wok and mix well. Stir continuously and bring the sauce to a boil, allowing it to thicken and coat the chicken and vegetables evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serving
Serve the savory stir-fry hot over freshly steamed white or brown rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Tips for Success
- Uniform Size: Make sure chicken pieces and vegetables are cut into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking and texture.
- High Heat and Fast Cooking: Stir-fry is best cooked quickly over high heat to lock in flavors and retain the crispness of vegetables.
- Versatile Veggies: Feel free to swap in or add other vegetables like snap peas, bamboo shoots, carrots, or mushrooms to add variety and extra nutrients.
- Adjusting Sauce Thickness: Modify the amount of cornstarch slurry according to your preference for sauce consistency.
- Marinate for Flavor: Optionally, marinate the chicken briefly with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for a deeper flavor infusion.
Nutrition Profile (Approximate per Serving)
- Calories: 340-360 kcal
- Protein: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 40-45g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 3-5g
This dish offers a balanced nutrition profile rich in lean protein and fibrous vegetables while being low in fat.
Why This Dish Works Well
Chicken and water chestnut stir-fry is celebrated for its combination of textures—tender chicken contrasts with the crunch of water chestnuts and fresh vegetables. The savory, slightly nutty sauce ties all the components together harmoniously. Moreover, it is a fast dish to make, requiring minimal hands-on cooking time, while delivering vibrant flavors inspired by Asian cuisine.
Conclusion
Whether you are a novice cook or an experienced foodie, chicken and water chestnut stir-fry is a versatile, healthy meal that brings together freshness, texture, and a punch of umami in under 40 minutes. Paired with steamed rice, it offers a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both nutritious and satisfying. Once you try it, this quick and flavorful Asian delight is sure to become a staple in your meal rotation!
Enjoy your savory and crunchy chicken and water chestnut stir-fry—simple, speedy, and delicious!
#RecipeSummary
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 10-15 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- Cuisine: Asian / Stir-fry
Ingredients at a Glance:
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- ½ cup water chestnuts, sliced
- 3 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup red bell peppers, julienned
- 3 tbsp peanut or vegetable oil
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp minced fresh ginger
- 2 tsp minced green onion bottoms
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- ¾ cup chicken stock
- 4 tsp cornstarch slurry (cornstarch + water)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Steamed rice (to serve)
Follow this recipe, adjust to your taste, and discover the perfect savory balance in each bite!
