Citrus Ginger Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this vibrant Citrus Ginger Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry. Bursting with zesty flavors from lemonade or orange juice concentrate and a hint of ginger, this dish combines tender chicken breast with a colorful medley of fresh vegetables. Perfectly quick and satisfying, it's an ideal recipe for those busy evenings or when you're craving a light yet flavorful meal. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete feast that will impress family and friends!
4
Servings
120
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken breast
1 (skinless, cut into strips or cubes)
cooking oil
2 (tablespoons)
garlic
1 (clove, sliced)
ground ginger
1/2 (teaspoon or 1 tablespoon fresh, minced)
assorted fresh vegetables
3 1/2 (cups, sliced)
lemonade concentrate or orange juice concentrate
1/4 (cup)
soy sauce
1/4 (cup)
water
1/4 (cup)
sugar
2 (teaspoons)
vinegar
1 (tablespoon)
cornstarch
1 (tablespoon)
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting the chicken breast into bite-sized strips or cubes. Season lightly with salt and pepper if desired.
2
Prepare your vegetables by washing and slicing them into bite-sized pieces. Popular choices include bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and carrots.
3
In a bowl, whisk together the lemonade or orange juice concentrate, soy sauce, water, sugar, vinegar, and cornstarch until well-combined to create your sauce.
4
Heat cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
5
Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chicken is browned and fully cooked.
6
Add the sliced garlic and ginger to the skillet, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
7
Pour in the prepared sauce and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir well to ensure the chicken is coated.
8
Add the assorted vegetables to the skillet, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
9
Continue to cook and stir until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
10
Remove from heat and serve hot, garnished with grated lemon zest or toasted sesame seeds.
Nutrition Information
3.5g
Fat
13g
Carbs
8.5g
Protein
1.25g
Fiber
2g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Citrus Ginger Chicken & Veggie Stir-Fry?
It is a vibrant weeknight dish featuring tender chicken breast and a colorful medley of fresh vegetables tossed in a zesty citrus-ginger sauce.
Can I use orange juice instead of lemonade concentrate?
Yes, you can use either lemonade concentrate or orange juice concentrate to create the zesty flavor profile.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains 120 calories.
How much protein is in this stir-fry?
This recipe provides 8.5g of protein per serving.
What vegetables are recommended for this recipe?
Popular choices include bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and carrots, totaling 3 1/2 cups of sliced vegetables.
How should I prepare the chicken?
The chicken breast should be skinless and cut into bite-sized strips or cubes.
Can I use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger?
Yes, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger with 1 tablespoon of minced fresh ginger.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What ingredients are in the stir-fry sauce?
The sauce is made from lemonade or orange juice concentrate, soy sauce, water, sugar, vinegar, and cornstarch.
How long does it take to cook the chicken?
The chicken should be cooked for about 5-7 minutes until it is browned and fully cooked.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 3.5g of fat per serving.
How do I thicken the sauce?
The cornstarch in the sauce mixture will naturally thicken the liquid as it simmers in the skillet for 2-3 minutes.
When should I add the garlic and ginger?
Add the garlic and ginger to the skillet after the chicken is browned, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
How much soy sauce is required?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of soy sauce.
Is there any sugar in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 2 teaspoons of sugar, resulting in 2g of sugar per serving.
What heat setting should I use?
A large skillet or wok should be heated over medium-high heat.
How do I garnish the dish?
You can garnish the finished stir-fry with grated lemon zest or toasted sesame seeds.
What should I serve with this stir-fry?
It is best served hot over a bed of rice or noodles for a complete meal.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 13g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much cooking oil is needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
How long should the vegetables cook?
The vegetables should be cooked for 3-4 minutes until they are tender-crisp.
What is the fiber content?
There is 1.25g of fiber per serving.
How much garlic is used?
The recipe uses 1 clove of sliced garlic.
Is the chicken seasoned before cooking?
Yes, you should season the chicken strips lightly with salt and pepper if desired before cooking.
What is the role of vinegar in the recipe?
One tablespoon of vinegar is used to add acidity and balance the sweetness of the citrus and sugar.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients in total.
What type of chicken is best?
Skinless chicken breast is recommended for this lean and healthy stir-fry.
How much water is added to the sauce?
The sauce requires 1/4 cup of water.
Can I use a wok for this recipe?
Yes, a large skillet or a wok works perfectly for this high-heat cooking method.
Is this a good recipe for busy evenings?
Absolutely, it is described as an ideal recipe for busy evenings due to its quick preparation and cooking time.