Chicken and asparagus stir fry: 20 minute dinner bliss

I cannot tell you how many times this chicken and asparagus stir fry has saved my life on a Tuesday night. You know those days when the house is a mess and you are exhausted and you just want to order pizza? Well I started making this instead because it is actually faster than waiting for a delivery driver. It takes me less than 30 minutes from start to finish and my whole family actually clears their plates. The best part is that the asparagus stays so nice and crisp and the savory sauce just coats everything perfectly. It is a total game changer in my kitchen and I think it will be in yours too.

Why You Will Love This Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry

You are going to love this dish because it is packed with protein and does not feel heavy at all. It is low in calories but high in flavor which is the absolute dream for a weeknight meal. Since we are using fresh ingredients you get that bright taste that you just cannot find in a takeout box. The cooking process is so simple that you will feel like a professional chef even if you are just rushing to get food on the table. It is fast and healthy and honestly it just tastes amazing. You get to control exactly what goes into the pan which means no hidden junk and just pure goodness.

Ingredients for Your Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry

Here is what you need to grab from the store. I always use chicken broth instead of cooking wine because it adds a deep savory flavor that everyone loves. Make sure your asparagus is nice and green and snappy.

• 1 lb chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 bunch of fresh asparagus trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3 cloves of garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
• 1/4 cup chicken broth used instead of rice wine
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil for frying

Step-by-Step Instructions for Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry

Once you have all your ingredients chopped and ready the actual cooking only takes about 10 minutes. It goes really fast so make sure you stay by the stove. If your sauce looks a little too thick you can always add a tiny splash more broth to get it just right.

Prepare the Sauce and Chicken

First things first grab a small bowl and whisk together your chicken broth and soy sauce and honey and cornstarch. This is your magic sauce so make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved. Then take your chicken pieces and give them a light coating with a pinch of salt and pepper. This helps the flavor get right into the meat before it even hits the pan.

Sear the Chicken

Get your pan or wok really hot over high heat and add your vegetable oil. Toss in the chicken and let it sear. You want it to get golden brown and fully cooked through. Once it looks perfect take it out of the pan and set it aside on a plate. This keeps the chicken tender while we handle the veggies.

Sauté the Asparagus

In that same hot pan throw in your asparagus pieces. You want them to stay crisp-tender so do not walk away. If you cook them too long they will get mushy and nobody wants that. This part usually takes about 3 to 4 minutes. Toss in your garlic and ginger during the last minute so they smell amazing but do not burn.

Combine and Thicken

Now pull that chicken back into the pan with the asparagus. Give your sauce mixture one last quick stir and pour it right over the top. The sauce will start to bubble and thicken up almost immediately because of the cornstarch. It should only take about 1 minute to coat everything in a glossy and delicious glaze.

Tips for the Best Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry

If you want the best results try to cut your chicken into uniform sizes so everything cooks at the exact same rate. I also highly recommend using a wok if you have one because it distributes the heat better but a large skillet works just fine too. Make sure your asparagus ends are trimmed off where they get woody so every bite is tender.

Common Questions About Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry

• Can I use frozen asparagus? Fresh is definitely better for that signature crunch but you can use frozen if you really need to. Just make sure to thaw it and pat it very dry so your stir fry does not get watery.
• What can I serve with this dish? This goes perfectly over a big bowl of white rice or brown rice. If you want to keep it even lighter you can try quinoa or even cauliflower rice.
• How do I store leftovers? You can keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It actually tastes great the next day for lunch.

Nutritional Information for Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry

This information is an estimate per serving based on four servings total.

• Calories: 280 kcal
• Protein: 26g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fat: 14g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 6g

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