Delicious Chicken and Scallion Stir Fry: Your New Favorite Easy Weeknight Meal
There’s nothing quite like discovering a new recipe that effortlessly blends speed, simplicity, and incredible flavor. As an avid home cook and a big fan of Asian-inspired cuisine, I’m always on the lookout for fresh chicken recipes, especially those that lend themselves well to a quick stir-fry. My trusty wok gets a lot of use, and I have a collection of beloved stir-fry dishes that are staples in my kitchen. Today, I’m thrilled to share a new addition to that permanent library: an absolutely delicious Chicken and Scallion Stir Fry that is sure to become a family favorite.
This recipe is a true gem, creating a rich, savory gravy that coats every piece of tender chicken and vibrant scallion. What makes it even better is the remarkably short and simple ingredient list, most of which you likely already have on hand. My only minor adjustment to the original recipe was to use dried ginger, as that’s what I had readily available, instead of fresh. The result was still phenomenal! Everyone at my table thoroughly enjoyed this dish, and I can attest, there were absolutely no leftovers – a true sign of success in any household.
This Sesame Chicken contender offers a comforting, umami-rich experience. It’s the kind of meal that feels both wholesome and indulgent, perfect for a busy weeknight yet impressive enough to serve to guests. The balance of flavors and textures is simply exquisite, making it a standout dish among my extensive collection of easy chicken recipes.
And let’s be honest, getting to use one of my charming garage sale plates for the photos was an added bonus! It’s those little touches that make cooking and sharing recipes even more enjoyable. This dish isn’t just about feeding your family; it’s about creating a moment of culinary delight without the usual fuss. It’s an ideal choice for anyone seeking a quick chicken dinner solution that doesn’t compromise on taste.
The Heart of the Dish: Chicken and Scallion Stir Fry Explained
Recipe inspired by Healthy and Gourmet
Unlocking the Flavors: Key Ingredients and Their Roles
This simple chicken stir-fry achieves its profound flavor with just a handful of carefully selected ingredients. Let’s delve into why each component is essential:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: We opt for chicken breasts for their lean protein and quick cooking time. Slicing them into thin, uniform strips (about 2 inches long) is crucial for ensuring even cooking and maximum surface area for the cornstarch coating. This coating not only helps to tenderize the chicken but also contributes to the sauce’s luxurious thickness.
- Cornstarch and Chili Powder: The cornstarch serves a dual purpose: it creates a protective, tenderizing layer on the chicken and acts as the primary thickening agent for our rich sauce. A touch of chili powder adds a subtle warmth and depth, enhancing the overall savory profile without making the dish overtly spicy. Feel free to adjust the amount of chili powder to suit your heat preference.
- Canola Oil: A high smoke point oil like canola is ideal for stir-frying. It allows us to achieve the high heat necessary for quick cooking and browning without burning.
- Garlic and Ginger: These aromatic powerhouses are the backbone of many Asian dishes. Freshly minced garlic provides a pungent, savory base, while grated ginger offers a bright, zesty, and slightly peppery kick. While fresh is always preferred for its vibrant flavor, my experience with dried ginger showed it still yields a fantastic result, proving this recipe’s adaptability.
- The Sauce Blend: Chicken Broth, Oyster Sauce, Sesame Oil, and Soy Sauce: This combination forms the heart of our delicious gravy.
- Chicken Broth: Provides the liquid base for the sauce, ensuring it’s rich and flavorful.
- Oyster Sauce: A cornerstone of Chinese cuisine, oyster sauce delivers a complex umami flavor that is both sweet and savory. It’s truly indispensable for that authentic stir-fry taste.
- Sesame Oil: Added for its distinct, nutty aroma and flavor, sesame oil is best used as a finishing touch or in smaller quantities within the sauce, as its flavor can be quite potent.
- Soy Sauce: The essential seasoning for saltiness and a deep savory note. For those sensitive to gluten, tamari is an excellent gluten-free alternative.
- Scallion Stalks (Green Onions): The star of the show alongside the chicken! Scallions provide a fresh, slightly pungent, and oniony flavor that brightens the entire dish. They are added at the very end of cooking to maintain their vibrant green color and crisp texture.
Crafting Your Perfect Stir Fry: Step-by-Step Guidance and Tips
Achieving a restaurant-quality stir fry at home is surprisingly simple when you follow a few key principles. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort:
- Preparation is Key (Mise en Place): Before you even think about turning on the heat, ensure all your ingredients are prepped and ready. This means slicing the chicken, mixing the cornstarch and chili powder, preparing the sauce blend, mincing garlic and ginger, and washing and slicing your scallions. Stir-frying is a fast cooking method, so you won’t have time to chop mid-way through!
- Coating the Chicken: The cornstarch and chili powder coating isn’t just for flavor; it helps create a beautifully tender crust on the chicken and ensures the sauce adheres perfectly. Mix it well until each strip is lightly coated.
- High Heat, Hot Wok: Stir-frying demands high heat. Whether you’re using a wok or a large skillet, allow the oil to get thoroughly hot before adding your ingredients. You want it shimmering, but not smoking. This high heat ensures the chicken sears quickly, locking in juices and preventing it from steaming.
- Stir-Frying the Aromatics and Chicken: Add the coated chicken, garlic, and ginger to the hot oil. Stir-fry constantly for only 1-2 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink. Overcooking chicken in a stir-fry can make it tough, so be mindful of the timing. The goal is a quick sear and partial cook-through.
- Building the Gravy: Pour in your prepared chicken broth, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and soy sauce mixture. As it heats, the cornstarch from the chicken will begin to thicken the liquid, transforming it into a luscious, glossy gravy. Cook for another minute or two, stirring, until about half of the liquid has evaporated and you have a rich, thick sauce.
- The Final Touch: Scallions: Add the sliced scallions right at the very end. Toss them with the chicken and sauce for just 20 seconds. This brief cooking time allows them to soften slightly and release their flavor while retaining their bright green color and a pleasant, fresh crunch.
- Serve Immediately: Stir fries are best enjoyed fresh off the heat. Serve this delicious Chicken and Scallion Stir Fry over warm, fluffy white rice for a complete and satisfying meal. For an extra touch, you can garnish with a few extra fresh scallion greens or a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Variations and Customizations: Make It Your Own
One of the best things about stir-fries is their incredible versatility. This Chicken and Scallion Stir Fry serves as a fantastic base for countless customizations:
- Add More Vegetables: Enhance the nutritional value and texture by adding your favorite stir-fry friendly vegetables. Broccoli florets, sliced carrots, bell peppers (any color), snow peas, mushrooms, or baby corn would all be excellent additions. Add harder vegetables like broccoli and carrots a few minutes before the chicken broth mixture to ensure they cook through.
- Different Proteins: While chicken is wonderful here, feel free to experiment with other proteins. Sliced beef (like in Mongolian Beef or Chinese Pepper Steak), shrimp, or even firm tofu can be substituted. Adjust cooking times as needed.
- Spice It Up: If you love heat, increase the chili powder or add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic and ginger. A dash of sriracha or your favorite chili garlic sauce can also be stirred into the sauce mixture.
- Sweeter Sauce: For a touch more sweetness, a teaspoon of brown sugar or honey can be added to the sauce blend.
- Gluten-Free Option: Simply swap regular soy sauce for tamari to make this dish gluten-free. Always check labels on oyster sauce and chicken broth to ensure they are also gluten-free.
- Low-Carb Friendly: Serve this flavorful stir-fry over cauliflower rice or a bed of steamed greens instead of white rice for a lower-carb meal.
- Serving Alternatives: Instead of rice, try serving it with noodles (Broccoli Beef Noodle Stir Fry is a great inspiration!), quinoa, or even lettuce wraps for a lighter option.
Explore More Stir Fry Recipes
If you’re as enthusiastic about stir-fries as I am, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic recipes from my kitchen. Each one offers a unique flavor profile and is designed to be approachable for home cooks:
- Mongolian Beef
- Sesame Chicken
- Moo Goo Gai Pan
- Chinese Pepper Steak
- Teriyaki Chicken and Rice
- Kung Pao Chicken
Chicken Scallion Stir Fry
IMPORTANT – We’ve integrated frequently asked questions and helpful tips throughout the blog post above to guide you. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 10 scallion stalks
Instructions
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Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips, approximately 2 inches long. In a medium bowl, add the cornstarch and chili powder to the chicken and mix well until all pieces are evenly coated. Set aside to marinate slightly.
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In a separate small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and soy sauce until fully combined. This is your flavorful stir-fry sauce. Set aside.
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Thoroughly wash and dry the scallions. Trim off and discard the root ends. Slice the remaining stalks into 2 to 3-inch pieces. Keep the white and light green parts separate from the darker green tops if you wish, for varying textures, though for this recipe, mixing is fine. Set aside.
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Heat a large wok or skillet over high heat. Add the canola oil and let it heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the coated chicken, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the hot oil. Stir-fry vigorously, ensuring the chicken pieces cook evenly and don’t stick together, for about 1 to 2 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside.
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Pour the prepared chicken broth mixture into the wok. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, for another minute or two. The sauce will begin to thicken as the liquid evaporates and the cornstarch from the chicken activates, forming a rich, glossy gravy. Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, add the sliced scallions. Toss everything together gently for about 20 seconds, allowing the scallions to heat through and slightly soften while retaining their fresh bite. Remove from heat immediately and serve piping hot over warm rice or your preferred accompaniment.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
Other Asian-Inspired Delights You Might Enjoy:
If you loved this chicken and scallion stir fry, here are a few more recipes from my collection that I think you’ll adore, offering a variety of flavors and ingredients for your Asian cooking adventures:
- Stir Fried Spicy Beef
- Cashew Chicken
- Chinese Pepper Steak
Discover More Yummy Stir Fry Ideas from Around the Web:
Looking to broaden your stir fry horizons even further? Here are some excellent recipes from other culinary creators that I recommend:
- Mushroom Stir Fry – from Simply Recipes (a fantastic vegetarian option!)
- Broccoli Beef Noodle Stir Fry – from Steamy Kitchen (combines protein, veggies, and noodles in one delicious dish)
- Garlic Lover’s Vegetable Stir Fry – from Kalyn’s Kitchen (perfect for those who adore garlic and fresh vegetables)
I genuinely hope you try this Chicken and Scallion Stir Fry and make it a regular in your meal rotation. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly exceptional. Happy cooking!
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