Hearty carrots, red bell peppers, and crunchy broccoli feature in this colorful, Asian-inspired Ground Chicken Stir-Fry.
In the realm of very simple dinner recipes, I think I admire the humble stir-fry the most. Stir-fry dishes are a great way to incorporate the odds-and-ends ingredients that we often find in our refrigerators. You know, the halved onion or the extra minced garlic from last night’s food prep—the things that take up space until they ultimately spoil after we’ve forgotten about them.
That’s one reason we ate so much stir-fry when I was growing up. My parents were pretty great at using up everything in the fridge and coming up with awesome dinners. Truth be told, stir-fry dishes expanded my palate quite a bit, too. The stir-fry dinners of my high school years exposed me to my first Asian seasoning ingredients—like soy sauce, sesame oil, fresh ginger, and hoisin—which I now use on a weekly basis.
This ground chicken stir-fry is an interesting take on typical stir-fry dishes, opting for ground chicken instead of the usual chopped chicken breast, sliced beef, or pork. Ground chicken is a lean protein, which makes the end result of this recipe less oily. Along with the garlic and fresh ginger, the soy sauce and hoisin provide ample Asian-inspired flavor notes. This is a simple, quick, and absolutely delicious dinner that your family will devour every time!
Is This Ground Chicken Stir-Fry Healthy?
Ground chicken stir-fry is definitely a healthy dinner. It’s low in calories and fat, high in protein, full of vegetables, and as written, it’s low-carb, too. The carrots provide a huge dose of vitamin A, the broccoli contains vitamin C and a dose of iron, and bell peppers are full of vitamins A and C as well. Combined, all the veggies in this dish provide lots of fiber and vitamins. Many stir-fry recipes call for beef or steak, but this recipe’s use of ground chicken also offers lots of lean protein. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, while garlic is well known for its heart health benefits. Note that this dish has a relatively high amount of sodium due to the soy sauce and hoisin sauce. If you’re sensitive to sodium (or if you’re eating gluten-free), I advise substituting coconut aminos in place of regular soy sauce and looking for a low-sodium hoisin sauce.
Overall, this dish is dairy-free and can be a healthy part of many different types of diets.
Endless Variation!
If you’re anything like me, you can appreciate recipes that allow for changes, and this is one of those recipes! Because this is an odds-and-ends dish, if you start making this recipe and suddenly realize you don’t have any broccoli, don’t sweat it. Simply swap it out with another veggie that you do have, such as snow peas, bok choy, or even cabbage.
Similarly, if you have some produce or meats in your fridge that aren’t in the recipe, but you’d like to add them to the pan, don’t hesitate! Stir-fry is a relaxed affair, so it’s a great base for all of your creative ideas. You can swap the ground chicken for leftover sliced steak, chopped pork, or even crispy tofu. Frozen veggies also work in place of fresh produce, as long as you thaw and pat the veggies dry first. I personally love throwing in a few grape tomatoes and sliced green onions at the end of the cook so that they’re just getting soft when you turn off the heat. Have fun with it, and don’t be afraid to experiment!
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Leftover stir-fry can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. You can also freeze leftovers in freezer-safe ziplock bags or containers for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. When you’re ready to enjoy your chicken stir-fry leftovers, simply reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
Serving Suggestions
A fluffy bed of Steamed Rice (or brown rice) is really all you need to complete this meal, but you have so many fun options when it comes to serving it. Instant-Pot Quinoa is also a delicious option that contains a little more protein. Most stir-fry dishes are very tasty with a garnish of fresh cilantro and green onions, and this recipe is no different.
If you’d like some sides for your stir-fry, I recommend these Crispy Air-Fryer Egg Rolls, some delicious Spring Rolls, or Crispy Fried Wontons. Personally, I’m well-known in my family for adding a fried egg to literally everything, so if you’re a fan of putting eggs on top of stuff, try one on this stir-fry!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 1 medium bell pepper sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup sliced carrots
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger minced
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground chicken and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
- Add sliced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for about 3 minutes, until vegetables start to soften.
- Mix in broccoli, carrots, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Cook for another 5-7 minutes, until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, over rice if desired.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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