This Chicken & Asparagus Stir-Fry is a quick and healthy dish that’s packed with flavor. With fresh asparagus and tender chicken cooked in a savory sauce, it’s a great way to enjoy vegetables in a simple stir-fry. The recipe utilizes the technique of “velveting” the chicken to ensure it remains moist and tender during cooking. This dish comes together in about 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Marinade:
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12 ounces chicken breast, thinly sliced
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1 tbsp water
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1 tsp cornstarch
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1 tsp oil (vegetable or canola oil)
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1 tsp oyster sauce
For the Rest of the Dish:
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1/2 cup water (or chicken stock)
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2 tsp cornstarch
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1/4 tsp ground white pepper
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1/4 tsp sugar
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1 tbsp light soy sauce
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1 tbsp oyster sauce
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1/4 tsp sesame oil
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2 tbsp vegetable oil
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 lb asparagus, trimmed and sliced
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1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
Directions
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Marinate the Chicken:
In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, water, cornstarch, oil, and oyster sauce. Mix until the chicken absorbs the liquid. Let it marinate for 15-30 minutes. -
Prepare the Sauce:
In a small bowl, combine the water (or chicken stock), cornstarch, white pepper, sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil. Set aside. -
Stir-fry the Chicken:
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear for 30 seconds. Stir-fry for another 30 seconds or until about 75% cooked. Remove the chicken from the wok and set aside. -
Cook the Vegetables:
In the same wok, add another tablespoon of oil and the minced garlic. Cook for 15 seconds, then add the asparagus. Stir-fry for 1 minute, then add the Shaoxing wine and stir-fry for another 30 seconds. -
Combine and Simmer:
Add the sauce mixture to the wok and bring to a simmer. Add the chicken back to the wok and stir-fry for another 30 seconds. The sauce should thicken and coat the ingredients. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary. -
Serve:
Serve hot over rice for a complete meal.
Nutrients
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Calories: 212 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 7g
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Protein: 21g
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Fat: 11g
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Saturated Fat: 1g
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Cholesterol: 54mg
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Sodium: 518mg
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Potassium: 561mg
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Fiber: 2g
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Sugar: 2g
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Vitamin A: 883 IU
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Vitamin C: 8mg
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Calcium: 37mg
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Iron: 3mg
This dish offers a great balance of protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making it a nutritious and satisfying meal. The combination of soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sesame oil gives it a flavorful umami base, while the fresh asparagus provides a crisp texture.
Velveting the Chicken: Keeping It Tender and Juicy
One of the secrets to the success of this dish is the velveting process for the chicken. This technique is a Chinese cooking method used to keep chicken tender and moist during stir-frying. It involves marinating the chicken in a mixture of cornstarch, water, oil, and a small amount of oyster sauce, which forms a protective coating around the chicken. As the chicken cooks, this coating helps retain moisture and ensures that the meat remains juicy and tender, even after stir-frying.
Velveting is a quick and easy method that elevates the texture of the chicken, making it far more enjoyable than if it were just stir-fried directly. This technique is especially useful when cooking lean proteins like chicken breast, which can dry out quickly if not handled carefully.
The Asparagus: Crisp and Fresh
The asparagus in this stir-fry adds both texture and flavor, with its natural crispness providing a delightful contrast to the tender chicken. Asparagus is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium, which contribute to overall health. It’s also a good source of fiber, which aids in digestion and helps you feel full longer.
In this recipe, the asparagus is quickly stir-fried to maintain its crunch, ensuring it doesn’t become too soft or soggy. The Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry) added to the wok enhances the asparagus with a subtle depth of flavor, while the garlic gives it an aromatic boost.
The Sauce: Savory, Sweet, and Flavorful
The sauce is the heart of this stir-fry. Made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, and Shaoxing wine, it has a rich umami base that ties all the ingredients together. The combination of salty, sweet, and savory flavors in the sauce adds complexity to the dish, while the sesame oil contributes a nutty aroma that rounds out the flavors.
The cornstarch in the sauce helps to thicken it, ensuring that it coats the chicken and vegetables beautifully, creating a glossy, flavorful finish. The white pepper and sugar provide a subtle heat and balance, respectively, while the overall seasoning can be adjusted to taste for the perfect flavor profile.
Cooking the Dish: Quick and Simple
This stir-fry comes together quickly, making it an excellent choice for a fast and healthy meal. Here’s how the dish comes together:
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Marinate the chicken: The first step involves marinating the chicken for about 15-30 minutes in a simple mix of cornstarch, water, oil, and oyster sauce. This is essential to achieving the tender, juicy chicken that’s characteristic of velveting.
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Prepare the sauce: While the chicken is marinating, you can mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl. This allows the sauce to be ready to go when it’s time to cook, minimizing prep time during stir-frying.
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Stir-fry the chicken: Heat some oil in a wok or skillet and quickly stir-fry the marinated chicken, ensuring it gets seared on all sides. Once the chicken is partially cooked, it’s removed from the pan to make space for the vegetables.
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Cook the vegetables: In the same wok, garlic is sautéed briefly before adding the asparagus. The quick stir-frying ensures the asparagus remains crisp-tender, adding a fresh bite to the dish.
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Combine and simmer: The sauce is added to the wok, followed by the chicken. After simmering for a couple of minutes, the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and asparagus, creating a deliciously glossy finish.
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Serve: The dish is served hot over steamed rice, making it a complete meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.
Serving Suggestions: A Complete Meal
Chicken & Asparagus Stir-Fry is a standalone dish that pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or noodles, which absorb the flavorful sauce and provide a satisfying base. For a lower-carb option, you could serve the stir-fry over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
If you’re looking to round out the meal, consider serving it alongside a light cucumber salad or some grilled vegetables. The freshness of a simple side salad with a tangy dressing can balance out the richness of the stir-fry and add a refreshing contrast.
Why You Should Try Chicken & Asparagus Stir-Fry
This dish is perfect for those who are looking for a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal. The technique of velveting the chicken ensures that it remains juicy and tender, while the simple stir-fry method allows the asparagus to maintain its crispness. The combination of savory, slightly sweet sauce with the fresh, crunchy vegetables is satisfying without being too heavy.
Chicken & Asparagus Stir-Fry is ideal for anyone looking to eat something light yet filling, especially on busy nights when you don’t have much time to cook. Plus, it’s customizable—add extra vegetables, adjust the spice level, or serve it over different grains to suit your preferences.
Conclusion
Chicken & Asparagus Stir-Fry is a quick, easy, and nutritious meal that brings fresh vegetables and lean protein together in a delicious and satisfying way. The velveting technique ensures the chicken stays moist and tender, while the simple sauce and stir-frying technique make it a meal that comes together in about 20 minutes. Whether you’re looking for a light weeknight dinner or a nutritious lunch, this dish is perfect for any occasion. It’s a flavorful, healthy, and versatile option that’s sure to become a regular in your meal rotation.