This savory, spicy, and saucy Chinese-American inspired stir fry makes for the ideal crowd pleasing weeknight meal or Sunday night meal prep menu item. Stir fry is already quick and easy, but there are a few tips and tricks that will make you forget all about your favorite takeout spot.
Marinate the chicken before cooking!
The first step to juicy, tender chicken is a popular technique for tenderizing chicken, called velveting. Velveting is the process of marinating protein in a cornstarch slurry before frying or boiling to keep it moist and tender. The bit of downtime while the chicken marinates is great for dicing veggies and making stir fry sauce.
Get the right equipment.
A wok is definitely the top contender for making stir fry as close to authentic as possible, but, if you’re in a pinch, a beginner in the kitchen, or just plain can’t justify buying a wok, a large nonstick
skillet is totally fine. Go for a skillet with sloped slides so that you can properly toss the food as it cooks.
Prep all your ingredients ahead.
A French term meaning “put in place”. Minimize scrambling for ingredients while making stir fries. Have all of your ingredients pre-sliced and prepped in small bowls on a baking tray. Set the tray next to the stove top so each ingredient is within arm’s reach.