Description
A quick and flavorful Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry featuring tender marinated chicken thighs and fresh zucchini, all cooked to perfection in a savory soy and oyster sauce blend. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner and pairs wonderfully with rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons sugar (or honey)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Stir Fry
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- 1 medium zucchini, cut in half lengthwise and then sliced
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- Ground black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the cornstarch, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and apple cider vinegar to create the marinade. Add the chicken pieces and mix well to coat each piece evenly. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Stir Fry the Chicken: Heat the cooking oil in a pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the smashed garlic and the marinated chicken, stirring frequently. Cook for about 2 minutes until the chicken loses its translucent appearance but is not fully cooked yet.
- Remove Chicken: Take the chicken out of the pan and set it aside, keeping the flavorful sauce and garlic in the pan for the next step.
- Cook the Zucchini: In the same pan, add the sliced zucchini. Stir fry for approximately 5 minutes until the zucchini is tender but still slightly crisp. This allows the zucchini to absorb the remaining flavors in the pan.
- Finish the Dish: Return the chicken to the pan and add the oyster sauce. Stir everything together well and cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the flavors meld perfectly. Optionally, season with ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve: Serve the Chicken Zucchini Stir Fry hot. It pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal. Enjoy your healthy and delicious dinner!
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for a minimum of 30 minutes; longer marination enhances flavor.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast if preferred, but thighs stay more tender and juicy.
- Adjust the sugar or honey amount to your desired level of sweetness.
- For added heat, sprinkle some chili flakes or add sliced chili while stir frying.
- Cook zucchini just until tender to maintain a pleasant crunch and vibrant color.
