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I've got to tell you about my lifesaver 20-minute meal! This Shredded Store-Bought Chicken Veggie Toss has become what I turn to when life gets crazy but I still want something tasty. You won't believe how good tender chicken tastes with crisp vegetables coated in this simple five-ingredient sauce.
Clever Kitchen Tricks
The beauty of this dish is how it cuts corners the right way without losing any taste. Store-bought rotisserie birds and bags of frozen veggies are total game changers! And the sauce? It ties everything together with this perfect mix of sweet, tangy and spicy flavors that'll make your taste buds dance.
Your Shopping List
- Rotisserie Chicken: Already cooked and pulled apart chicken saves you time while adding wonderful taste.
- Frozen Stir-Fry Vegetables: A combo of snap peas, broccoli florets, sliced carrots, bell peppers, and water chestnuts.
- Garlic and Ginger: Try frozen blocks, tubed paste, or fresh minced for that must-have flavor kick.
- Soy Sauce: Standard soy sauce brings salty, deep richness to the mix.
- Sesame Oil: Gives that signature nutty smell and taste to your dish.
- Brown Sugar: Works to smooth out the salty and hot components in the sauce.
- Sriracha Sauce: Adds spice and flavor complexity (use more or less as you like).
- Cornstarch: Makes the sauce thick and shiny when cooked.
Kitchen Choreography
- Step 1 - Prep the Ingredients
- Pull apart or cut the store-bought chicken. Mix soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, cornstarch, and sriracha together in a small bowl for your sauce.
- Step 2 - Sauté the Vegetables
- Warm a big skillet or wok over medium-high flame. Pour in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and cook frozen veggie mix for 4-5 minutes until just tender. Toss in garlic and ginger, cooking for another minute.
- Step 3 - Add the Chicken
- Drop the shredded chicken into your pan and mix gently with the cooked veggies. Let it warm through for about 2-3 minutes.
- Step 4 - Add the Sauce
- Drizzle your sauce mix over everything in the pan. Keep stirring for 2-3 minutes while the sauce gets thicker and coats all the chicken and vegetables.
- Step 5 - Serve
- Dish it up right away with rice or noodles. Throw on some sesame seeds and green onion bits if you want to fancy it up.
Speedy Kitchen Shortcuts
Want to know my best time-savers for this meal? I always grab some frozen diced onions and those little frozen garlic and ginger cubes are amazing. The microwave rice packets that cook in just 90 seconds are perfect when you're rushing!
Make It Your Own
This dish is so fun to play with! Try tossing on crunchy sesame seeds or snipped green onions before serving. Swapping out rice for some lo mein noodles changes the whole feel. And if you're like me and enjoy some kick, don't be shy with that sriracha bottle!
Surefire Success
Go for a wide pan so everything cooks the same. Trust me, get all your stuff ready beforehand because things move fast once you start! Handle that store-bought chicken with care when mixing so you don't end up with tiny shreds.
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Tasty Companions
You can pair this dish with so many things! We usually go for plain rice but it's super yummy with some soba noodles too. Sometimes I'll cook extra veggies on the side for a bigger meal. You can even scoop it into lettuce cups if you're watching your carbs!
Common Questions
- → Can I use different vegetables in this stir-fry?
Absolutely! Swap in any fresh or frozen stir-fry veggies you like. Just remember that cooking times might change - some fresh veggies cook faster than others. Try to keep around 20 ounces total so your sauce covers everything nicely.
- → How can I make this recipe less spicy?
You can cut back or skip the Sriracha completely to lower the heat. If you leave it out, try adding a splash of rice vinegar or more ginger to keep things flavorful. Remember you might want to adjust the sugar too if you're using less Sriracha.
- → Can I prep any components ahead of time?
You can definitely chop the onions and mix up the sauce beforehand and pop them in the fridge. Pull apart or cut up your rotisserie chicken ahead of time too. This makes the actual cooking part even faster when dinnertime rolls around.
- → What's the best way to reheat leftovers?
Warm leftovers in a pan on medium heat just until hot to keep your veggies crisp. Add a tiny bit of water or soy sauce if it looks dry. You can use the microwave too but your veggies might end up a bit mushy.
- → Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Sure thing, just swap regular soy sauce for tamari or any gluten-free soy sauce. Double check your cornstarch is gluten-free certified, though most brands naturally are. Everything else in the recipe should be fine for a gluten-free diet.
Final Thoughts
A speedy and tasty stir-fry that turns regular grocery store rotisserie chicken into something special without spending ages in the kitchen.