| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins – 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 265 | 7g | 2g | 17g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 9g | 4g | 32g | 1g |
I’m delighted to share one of my favorite vegetable-based dishes with you, the Kencur Chicken Stir Fry. Drawing on my Italian-American heritage, with a dash of influence from my love for Asian cuisine, this recipe melds multi-cultural culinary traditions in the most delightful way.
Tradition Meets Innovation
As a New Jersey native who grew up cooking Italian-American favorites inspired by my beloved grandparents, the Kencur Chicken Stir Fry may seem like a surprising choice for a personal favorite. But as any good chef will tell you, the beauty of cooking lies in its boundless opportunities for creativity and experimentation. This dish, a vibrant blend of textures and flavors, reminds me of the beloved vegetable stews of my youth but with a refreshing, Asian twist.
The Health Benefits of Kencur Chicken Stir Fry
Not only is this stir-fry a delight for the senses, but it’s also packed with an array of health benefits. The chicken provides lean protein, while the rainbow of vegetables offer an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The use of Kencur (galangal) adds an additional health boost. Long used in traditional Asian cooking and medicine, galangal is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and potential to aid digestion. It’s a tasty way to add a bit of wellness to your meal.
Perfect Meal Pairings
Pair this Kencur Chicken Stir Fry with a side of brown rice or quinoa for a wholesome, balanced meal. If you want to keep up the Asian theme, why not try a fresh cilantro salad or cold sesame noodles on the side? As for wine, a crisp white like a Sauvignon Blanc or an off-dry Riesling pairs nicely with the complex flavors of this stir-fry.
Whether I’m cooking for my grandkids or hiking buddies, this Kencur Chicken Stir Fry never fails to impress. With its vivid colors, bold flavors and nutrient-packed ingredients, it’s definitely a recipe worth loving.
What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon finely grated galangal (kencur)
- 2 red bell peppers, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 3 small zucchinis, sliced
- 1 cup snow peas
- 1 cup carrot, sliced
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons of water
Method
Step One
Prepare your mise en place by thinly slicing the chicken breasts, onion, bell peppers, zucchinis, carrots, and green onions. Mince the garlic and grate the galangal (kencur). Set aside the sliced vegetables and chicken separately.
Step Two
Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the sliced chicken and cook until it turns white and is nearly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the wok and set aside.
Step Three
In the same wok, stir-fry the sliced onion and minced garlic until the onion starts to turn transparent. Then, add the grated galangal and stir for 30 seconds more, mixing it in with the onion and garlic.
Step Four
Next, add the sliced red and green bell peppers, zucchinis, snow peas and carrots into the wok. Continue stir-frying these vegetables until they begin to soften.
Step Five
Add the pineapple chunks, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and a bit of salt and pepper to taste to the stir-fried vegetables. Stir this mixture well so the vegetables and pineapple are well coated with the sauces.
Step Six
Return the cooked chicken to the wok with the vegetables and pineapple. Mix these ingredients together well to ensure the chicken absorbs the flavors of the sauce and combined ingredients.
Step Seven
Stir in the dissolved cornstarch solution to the wok. This will help to thicken the stir-fry sauce and coat every piece of the stir-fry more evenly. Keep stirring until the sauce has thickened to your liking.
Step Eight
Just before turning off the heat, sprinkle in the sliced green onions and give the stir-fry one last mix. Your Kencur Chicken Stir Fry is now ready to serve. Enjoy!
