Citrus Infused Chicken Stir-Fry
Elevate your dinner experience with this Citrus Infused Chicken Stir-Fry, where tender cubes of chicken are marinated in a vibrant blend of orange juice and zesty spices. This quick and nutritious dish is bursting with flavors, making it a delightful choice for busy weeknights. The marinade not only enhances the chicken's flavor but also creates a wonderfully glossy sauce that pairs perfectly with fresh pea pods. For an extra kick, feel free to sprinkle in some red pepper flakes. Serve this colorful stir-fry over a bed of fluffy Jasmine rice for a satisfying meal that the whole family will love.
N/A
Servings
133
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
orange juice
1 cup (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
garlic
1 clove (minced)
ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon (none)
soy sauce
3 tablespoons (low sodium preferred)
orange zest
1/2 teaspoon (from fresh orange)
boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 lbs (cut into cubes)
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (for frying)
cornstarch
1 tablespoon (for thickening)
frozen pea pods
6 ounces (thawed)
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine the orange juice, orange zest, minced garlic, soy sauce, and ground ginger. Stir well to blend the ingredients together.
2
Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade for later use. Add the remaining marinade to a separate bowl with the cubed chicken and stir to thoroughly coat the chicken in the marinade. Cover and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
3
In a nonstick skillet heated over medium-high heat, add vegetable oil. Once the oil is hot, drain the chicken from the marinade, discarding the used marinade.
4
Place the marinated chicken into the skillet and stir-fry for 3 to 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and turns a pale white color.
5
While the chicken is cooking, take the reserved marinade, mix in the cornstarch until smooth, and set aside.
6
Once the chicken is done, pour the cornstarch mixture into the skillet and continue to cook while stirring constantly until the sauce reaches a boil.
7
Allow the sauce to boil for 1 minute to thicken, then add the thawed pea pods to the skillet.
8
Reduce the heat and cover the skillet, simmering for an additional minute until the pea pods are heated through.
9
Serve the stir-fry hot over steamed Jasmine rice for a delicious and colorful meal.
Nutrition Information
2.5g
Fat
15g
Carbs
10.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Citrus Infused Chicken Stir-Fry?
It is a quick and nutritious dish featuring tender chicken marinated in a vibrant blend of orange juice, zest, and spices, served with pea pods over Jasmine rice.
How many calories are in this stir-fry?
Each serving of the Citrus Infused Chicken Stir-Fry contains 133 calories.
What are the main ingredients for the marinade?
The marinade consists of orange juice, orange zest, minced garlic, soy sauce, and ground ginger.
How long should the chicken be marinated?
The chicken should be covered and allowed to marinate for 15 minutes.
Can I use store-bought orange juice for this recipe?
Yes, you can use either freshly squeezed or store-bought orange juice.
What is the fat content of this dish?
This recipe contains 2.5g of fat per serving.
What type of chicken is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into cubes.
How much protein does this meal provide?
Each serving contains 10.5g of protein.
What vegetables are included in the stir-fry?
The recipe includes 6 ounces of frozen pea pods that have been thawed.
How do I thicken the stir-fry sauce?
The sauce is thickened by mixing cornstarch with a reserved portion of the marinade and boiling it for one minute.
What should I serve with the Citrus Infused Chicken Stir-Fry?
It is best served hot over a bed of fluffy steamed Jasmine rice.
Can I make this stir-fry spicy?
Yes, you can sprinkle in red pepper flakes for an extra kick of heat.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is tagged as a meal prep friendly recipe and is quick to prepare.
How long does it take to cook the chicken?
The chicken should be stir-fried for 3 to 5 minutes or until it is cooked through and turns a pale white color.
Do I need to thaw the pea pods before cooking?
Yes, the 6 ounces of frozen pea pods should be thawed before being added to the skillet.
What is the purpose of the orange zest?
The orange zest adds a concentrated citrus flavor and aromatic quality to the marinade.
Which oil is best for frying this dish?
The recipe recommends using 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil for frying.
How many carbohydrates are in one serving?
There are 15g of carbohydrates per serving.
Can I use low sodium soy sauce?
Yes, low sodium soy sauce is actually preferred for this recipe.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
There are 9 main ingredients required for this recipe.
What should I do with the marinade used for the raw chicken?
The marinade that was in contact with the raw chicken should be discarded; you should only use the reserved clean marinade for the sauce.
Why do I need to reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade?
The reserved marinade is used to create a clean, safe sauce by mixing it with cornstarch later in the cooking process.
How long should the sauce boil?
The sauce needs to boil for 1 minute to allow the cornstarch to properly thicken it.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy dinner option and is relatively low in calories and fat.
What is the final step before serving?
The final step is to simmer the pea pods in the sauce for one minute until they are heated through.
Can I substitute the ground ginger?
While the recipe calls for ground ginger, you could likely use fresh minced ginger for a more intense flavor.
Is this a good weeknight dinner?
Yes, because it is quick to cook and easy to assemble, it is a delightful choice for busy weeknights.
What texture should the sauce have?
The sauce should be wonderfully glossy and thick enough to coat the chicken and pea pods.
Does the recipe contain garlic?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 clove of minced garlic in the marinade.
Can I use other rice besides Jasmine?
While Jasmine rice is recommended for its fluffiness, you can use any rice you prefer as a base.