Stir-frying is a beloved tradition in Chinese cooking, known for its quick cooking technique that preserves the natural flavors and textures of the ingredients. Today, I will guide you through a Chicken Celery Stir-Fry recipe. This dish is packed with tender chicken, crunchy celery, and carrot slices. It's delicious, easy to make, and perfect for busy weeknights.
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Let's dive into how to make this flavorful and nutritious stir-fry in just a few simple steps.
Main ingredients
- Chicken breast
- Celery: Chopped celery adds a crunchy texture and a fresh flavor that balances the chicken and sauces. I used 4 celery stalks in this recipe; there is no hard rule on the amount; you can add or decrease the celery stalks based on your preference.
- Carrot: Carrot slices add a sweet contrast to the celery and chicken while adding vibrant color and additional texture.
- Cooking oil: A neutral oil like vegetable or peanut oil is ideal; olive oil and other oils also work.
- Minced garlic: Adds that garlicky flavor to the stir fry.
- Shaoxing cooking wine: Shaoxing wine is slightly sweet and helps tenderize the chicken while giving the stir fry a richer flavor.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps create a silky texture and seals in moisture during stir-frying, keeping the chicken juicy.
- Light soy sauce
- A dash of dark soy sauce: It adds a deeper flavor and a darker color to the dish; it is optional.
- Oyster sauce
- Salt and black pepper: to taste
Step-by-step cooking instructions
Prepare: Slice all the vegetables and cut the chicken breast into cubes. Gather all the seasonings and set aside.
Marinate the chicken: In a small bowl, combine the chicken pieces with Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, light soy sauce, a dash of dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Allow the chicken to marinate for 15 minutes to soak up the flavor.
Stir fry: Heat cooking oil over medium-high heat in a large cast-iron skillet or wok. Once hot, add the minced garlic and stir fry until fragrant. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until it is cooked and lightly browned. Push the chicken pieces to one side of the skillet, and add the celery and carrot slices. Continue stir fry for additional 3-4 minutes or until tender-crisp,
Seasoning: Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the chicken and vegetables, stirring well to coat everything evenly.
Serve: Serve the Chicken Celery Stir-Fry hot over cooked white or brown rice. Enjoy!
Pro tips to make the best chicken celery stir fry
Here are some pro tips for making a flavorful and balanced chicken celery stir fry:
- Marinate the chicken first before stir-frying: Marinate the chicken in a mix of sauce and seasonings for 15-20 minutes before the stir-frying process. This locks in moisture and adds extra flavor.
- Cook chicken separately: Stir-fry the chicken first before adding the vegetables. This ensures that the chicken is fully cooked and gives you better control over its texture.
- High-heat cooking: Stir-frying on high heat is the key to stir-frying dishes. High heat will sear the chicken pieces properly and develop flavor without overcooking the vegetables.
- Additional vegetables: If you are a vegetable lover, add more vegetables! Vegetables like red bell pepper, bean sprouts, green onion, red onions, and baby corn are great options for increasing nutritional content and flavor.
These tips ensure your chicken celery stir fry is perfectly seasoned, crisp, and delicious!
Serving suggestions
When it comes to serving Chicken Celery Stir Fry, the options are versatile. Here are some great ideas for serving this dish:
Serve with steamed jasmine rice or noodles. Rice's soft, fluffy texture and subtle aroma make it the perfect base for this savory stir fry. It absorbs the flavorful sauces, ensuring you get a taste of the dish in every bite. For a more substantial, filling meal, serve the stir fry over noodles. You can choose from a variety of options, such as egg noodles, rice noodles, or even whole wheat noodles for healthier options.
Pair with a light side: A refreshing salad or a bowl of soup offers warmth and umami flavor, complementing the stir-fried flavors without being too heavy.
Egg rolls: An egg roll served alongside stir fry has a crunchy, crispy texture that contrasts nicely with the tender chicken and celery in the stir fry. An egg roll adds additional protein and vegetables to the meal, making it more filling.
Final thoughts
Chicken celery stir fry is a delicious and nutritious meal that can be easily personalized to fit your taste. With its tender chicken, crunchy celery, and carrot, this stir-fry offers a delicious way to add vegetables to your diet! Whether you're a fan of Chinese cooking or simply looking for a quick and easy recipe to add to your recipe list, this dish will surely become your family's new favorite.
So, the next time you want a simple yet flavorful meal, try chicken celery stir fry. Happy stir-frying!
Delicious and Healthy Chicken Celery Stir-Fry Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 4 stalks celery chopped
- ½ cup carrot chopped
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing cooking wine
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- a dash of dark soy sauce optional
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare: Slice all the vegetables and cut the chicken breast into cubes. Gather all the seasonings and set aside.
- Marinate the chicken: In a small bowl, combine the chicken pieces with Shaoxing wine, cornstarch, light soy sauce, a dash of dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 15 minutes to soak up the flavor.
- Stir fry: Heat cooking oil over medium-high heat in a large cast-iron skillet or wok. Once hot, add the minced garlic and stir fry until fragrant. Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes or until it is cooked and lightly browned. Push the chicken pieces to one side of the skillet, and add the celery and carrot slices. Continue stir fry for additional 3-4 minutes or until tender-crisp,
- Seasoning: Sprinkle salt and black pepper over the chicken and vegetables, stirring well to coat everything evenly.
- Serve: Serve the chicken celery stir-fry hot with cooked white or brown rice. Enjoy!
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