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I've got the perfect 20-minute dinner fix for your busy nights! This shredded store-bought chicken stir-fry has become my nighttime lifesaver when I need something tasty but can't spend forever cooking. You'll fall in love with how the juicy chicken and crisp vegetables come together with the simple five-ingredient sauce.
Clever Kitchen Tricks
The brilliance behind this dish comes from smart shortcuts that don't sacrifice any taste. Store-bought rotisserie birds and ready-to-go frozen veggie mixes make this super fast! The sauce pulls everything together with its perfect mix of spicy, sweet and umami flavors that'll make your taste buds dance.
Your Grocery List
- Rotisserie Chicken: Already cooked and pulled apart to cut down prep time and boost taste.
- Frozen Stir-Fry Vegetables: A combo of carrots, water chestnuts, broccoli, peppers, and sugar snap peas.
- Garlic and Ginger: Pick ready-made cubes, paste in tubes, or chop fresh for that classic wok flavor.
- Soy Sauce: Standard soy brings that salty, deep flavor kick.
- Sesame Oil: Gives that distinctive nutty smell and taste to your stir-fry.
- Brown Sugar: Works to even out the salty and hot components.
- Sriracha Sauce: Adds spice and flavor depth (add more or less as you like).
- Cornstarch: Makes your sauce thick and shiny.
Cooking Dance Steps
- Step 1 - Ready Your Stuff
- Tear or cut up your store-bought chicken. Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, cornstarch, and sriracha in a small bowl for your sauce.
- Step 2 - Cook Your Veggies
- Get a big skillet or wok hot over medium-high heat. Drop in 1 tablespoon sesame oil and cook frozen veggie mix for 4-5 minutes until they're still a bit crunchy. Toss in garlic and ginger, stirring about 1 minute.
- Step 3 - Toss In Chicken
- Drop your shredded chicken into the pan and mix gently with the veggies. Heat for 2-3 minutes until the chicken gets warm.
- Step 4 - Pour On Sauce
- Dump your mixed sauce over everything in the pan. Keep stirring for 2-3 minutes while the sauce gets thick and coats all the bits.
- Step 5 - Time To Eat
- Dish it up right away with rice or noodles. Top with sesame seeds and green onions if you want.
Speedy Cooking Tips
Try these time-savers to make cooking even faster! I always grab frozen chopped onions and those frozen garlic and ginger blocks save tons of time. The quick rice packs that cook in the microwave are perfect when you're rushed.
Put Your Spin On It
This stir-fry is so fun to change up! I sometimes toss on crunchy sesame seeds or snipped green onions. Swap the rice for some noodles and it feels totally different. And if you're into spicy food like me just splash in more sriracha!
Can't-Miss Tips
Don't skimp on pan size or your food won't cook right. Get everything cut up and ready before you start because this dish moves fast once you begin! Handle that chicken carefully when you stir so it stays in nice chunks.
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Great Side Matches
This dish works with so many sides! We usually pile it on fluffy rice but it's wonderful with noodles too. Sometimes I'll cook extra veggies on the side to make the meal bigger. You can even roll it up in lettuce cups if you're watching carbs!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I switch up the vegetables?
Absolutely! Feel free to use any fresh or frozen veggies you like. Just tweak the cooking time based on whether they're fresh or frozen. Stick to about 20 ounces for the sauce to coat everything well.
- → How can I make it milder?
Cut down on or skip the Sriracha for a less spicy version. If you skip it completely, try adding a splash of rice vinegar or extra ginger to keep the flavors balanced. You might also want to adjust the sugar a bit if reducing the heat.
- → What can I prep in advance?
Chop the veggies and shred the chicken beforehand. Mix up the sauce and store it in the fridge. Doing this will make it even quicker to cook when you're ready!
- → Tips for reheating leftovers?
Warm leftovers in a pan over medium heat until heated through for the best texture. Add a splash of water or soy sauce if needed. Microwaving works too, but the veggies might get softer.
- → Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, just swap regular soy sauce for tamari or gluten-free soy sauce. Double-check your cornstarch is gluten-free, though most brands are fine. The rest of the ingredients should already be gluten-free.
Conclusion
A fast way to enjoy flavorful stir-fried chicken and veggies using rotisserie chicken. Short prep, big taste!