Experience a truly satisfying culinary delight with this quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry. Perfect for any day of the week, this dish promises to be a staple in your kitchen!

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Unleash Flavor: Your Go-To Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry Recipe

There are few dishes as versatile, healthy, and utterly delicious as a well-made stir fry. And when it comes to a meal that ticks all the boxes – healthy, packed with protein, loaded with fresh vegetables, and bursting with incredible flavor – this Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry takes center stage. It’s a dish I find myself returning to again and again, becoming an absolute obsession in my kitchen!

Imagine a meal that not only satisfies your deepest cravings but also nourishes your body and keeps you feeling energized. This stir fry does exactly that. Its vibrant flavors awaken the palate, while the balanced ingredients provide sustained satisfaction. It’s truly the perfect fusion of taste and nutrition, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or a healthy weekend treat.

Why This Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry Will Become Your New Favorite

After a recent trip filled with indulgent culinary experiences, nothing brought me back to my healthy eating goals quite like a large, satisfying bowl of this sweet and spicy stir fry. Its fresh ingredients and dynamic flavors were exactly what I needed to reset and refuel. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a lifestyle enhancer. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, making it a dream for meal prepping. I often whip up a big batch on Monday, enjoying it for lunches and dinners throughout the week. Sometimes, I even find myself craving it so much that it becomes a late breakfast – yes, it’s that good!

What truly sets this stir fry apart is its ability to deliver an explosion of fresh, balanced flavors with minimal effort. The beauty of stir frying lies in its simplicity and speed. You can have a wholesome, homemade meal on the table in about 30 minutes, significantly faster and healthier than any greasy takeout option. Plus, it’s a meal the entire family will adore. The customizable nature means you can easily adapt it to suit individual preferences, ensuring everyone gets a meal they love.

Feel free to get creative with your protein choice; swap chicken for succulent pork, plump shrimp, or even firm tofu for a vegetarian twist. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the vegetables either – use whatever fresh produce you have on hand or what’s in season. And if brown rice isn’t a family favorite, white rice works perfectly fine. The goal is to make this recipe truly your own, ensuring it becomes a dish you crave even when you’re too tired to cook. The satisfaction of a healthy, homemade meal will always trump convenience.

Essential Ingredients for Your Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry

Crafting the perfect sweet and spicy stir fry starts with fresh, quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Protein: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or your preferred alternative).
• Sweetness: Dark brown sugar for a rich, molasses-like sweetness.
• Salty Umami: Low sodium soy sauce, crucial for flavor without excessive saltiness.
• Cooking Fat: Canola oil or another high-smoke-point oil.
• Spice: Sriracha sauce, allowing you to adjust the heat to your liking.
• Aromatics: Fresh garlic, minced for maximum flavor.
• Acidity: Rice wine vinegar to balance the sweet and spicy notes.
• Veggies:
  • White onion, thinly sliced for a sweet, pungent base.
  • Red bell pepper, for sweetness and vibrant color.
  • Green bell pepper, adding a slightly bitter, fresh crunch.
  • Brussels sprouts, halved for a unique texture and earthy flavor.
  • Mini carrots, for natural sweetness and crispness.
  • Broccoli florets, a classic stir fry addition for nutrients and texture.
  • Sugar snap peas, for their satisfying pop and sweet flavor.
  • Shelled edamame, adding protein and a lovely bite.
• Base: Brown rice, for a nutty, fiber-rich foundation.
• Equipment: A sturdy wok or a large, deep skillet.

Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating the layers of flavor and texture that make this stir fry so irresistible. The balance between sweet brown sugar, savory soy sauce, and fiery sriracha is what gives the sauce its signature character, while the array of fresh vegetables ensures a nutrient-dense and satisfying meal.

Mastering Your Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these simple steps to create a restaurant-quality sweet and spicy stir fry in your own kitchen:

• Step 1: Marinate the Chicken. Begin by slicing your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into thin, bite-sized pieces. Place the chicken in a large resealable baggie. Add 2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of low sodium soy sauce. Seal the bag and gently massage to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature. While the chicken marinates, take this time to thoroughly prep all your vegetables and cook your brown rice according to its package directions, ensuring it’s ready to be added to the stir fry.
• Step 2: Cook the Chicken. Heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil in your wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the marinated chicken, along with any remaining marinade from the bag. Sauté the chicken, stirring frequently, until it is no longer pink in the middle and is lightly browned, typically about 8 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the wok and transfer it to a separate bowl. Set it aside for later.
• Step 3: Prepare the Sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the sriracha sauce, minced garlic, the remaining 1/4 cup of low sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of dark brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar. Mix until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is well combined. This flavorful sauce is the heart of your stir fry.

• Step 4: Stir Fry the Vegetables. With the wok still on medium-high heat (add a touch more oil if needed), pour the prepared sauce into the hot wok. Immediately add all of your prepped vegetables, except for the shelled edamame. Stir continuously, ensuring the vegetables are coated in the sauce. Allow them to sauté until they are just tender-crisp, which usually takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on the vegetables’ thickness and your desired crunchiness.

• Step 5: Combine and Finish. Once the vegetables have reached your desired tenderness, add the shelled edamame and the previously cooked chicken back into the wok. Stir everything together gently, allowing the flavors to meld and the edamame to warm through, about another 5 minutes. At this point, you can also stir in your cooked brown rice directly into the wok for a one-pan meal, or serve it separately.

• Step 6: Adjust Seasoning and Serve. Taste your stir fry and adjust the seasoning as needed. If you desire more saltiness, add a splash more soy sauce. For an extra kick, drizzle in more sriracha. Serve your hot and flavorful sweet and spicy stir fry immediately over a bed of fluffy brown rice (if not already mixed in). Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for an extra flourish, if desired.

Tips for the Perfect Stir Fry

• High Heat is Key: Stir frying requires high heat to cook ingredients quickly and achieve that signature tender-crisp texture. Ensure your wok or skillet is very hot before adding oil and ingredients.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding lowers the pan’s temperature, leading to steamed rather than stir-fried ingredients.
• Prep Everything First: “Mise en place” is crucial for stir-fries. Have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before you start cooking, as the cooking process is very fast.
• Cut Uniformly: Ensure all your vegetables and protein are cut into similar sizes for even cooking.
• Adjust Spice Levels: The beauty of this recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to use more or less sriracha to match your preferred level of heat.

We absolutely adore this Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry and hope it becomes a cherished recipe in your home, just as it has in ours! If you give this delicious dish a try, we’d love to see your creations. Snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @thebakermama. It brings me so much joy to see how you get inspired and creative with the recipes I share. Enjoy every flavorful bite!

xoxo,

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Sweet and Spicy Stir Fry

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  Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
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  Prep Time: 40 mins
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  Cook Time: 30 mins
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  Total Time: 1 hour 10 mins
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  Yield: 4 servings
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  Category: Main Course, Dinner

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Description

A quick, healthy, and incredibly flavorful Sweet & Spicy Stir Fry packed with protein and fresh vegetables. This versatile recipe is perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal or convenient meal prep, offering a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and spicy notes.

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Ingredients

• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar (for marinade)
• 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce (for marinade)
• 1 tablespoon canola oil (or other high-smoke-point oil)
• 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (for sauce)
• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar (for sauce)
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1/2 large white onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 cup halved brussels sprouts
• 1 cup mini carrots
• 1–1/2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup sugar snap peas
• 1 cup shelled edamame
• 1–1/2 cups cooked brown rice (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Marinate Chicken: Place sliced chicken in a large resealable baggie with 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Seal and massage to coat. Let marinate for 30 minutes. While marinating, prep all your vegetables and cook the brown rice according to package directions.
2. Cook Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken along with the marinade. Sauté, stirring frequently, until no longer pink in the middle and lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Remove cooked chicken to a separate bowl and set aside.
3. Prepare Sauce & Stir Fry Veggies: In a small bowl, whisk together the sriracha, minced garlic, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and rice wine vinegar. Add this sauce mixture to the hot wok (still on medium-high heat). Immediately add all of the prepared vegetables except for the edamame. Sauté the vegetables, stirring constantly, until just tender-crisp, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Combine & Serve: Add the shelled edamame and the cooked chicken back into the wok with the vegetables. Sauté for another 5 minutes to heat through and meld flavors. Taste and add additional soy sauce for saltiness or sriracha for spice, if desired. Serve immediately over or mixed with the cooked brown rice.

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