Stir Fry Chicken with Garlic Sauce

Originally published on July 20, 2015

I’ve always tackled my stir fry the same way. Stir fry the meat, add a large mixture of vegetables then your sauce, and serve over rice or noodles. I’m not sure what inspiration I was feeling last time I made chicken stir fry, but I suddenly wanted to try something different, beyond just the sauce and side. Instead of adding a bunch of vegetables, I stuck to a simple spinach mix; and instead of stir-frying it all together, I used separate pans and brought everything together at the end of cooking time. I also marinated the chicken (something I hardly ever do) and I have to say, this might just be my favourite way to stir fry.

Ingredients:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed 
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup water 
1/4 cup honey 
4 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 
2 bunches baby spinach 
1 cup mushrooms, chopped
Salt
Pepper

Directions:

1.) In a large bowl combined the garlic, soy sauce, water, honey, cornstarch, black pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Mix thoroughly, add the chicken, and turn to completely coat the chicken in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for two hours.

2.) Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. When hot add the chicken and stir fry for 8 – 10 minutes. Reserve the remaining marinade.

3.) While chicken is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a separate skillet set over medium heat. When hot add the chopped mushrooms and saute for about 5 minutes, until they just start to brown. Then add spinach, salt, and pepper, and cook just until the spinach has wilted, turning occasionally.

4.) When chicken is done stir-frying, add the reserved marinade and cook for another 5 minutes, until the marinade has turned into a glaze and coats the chicken.

5.) To plate, add cooked spinach mixture over top of rice or noodles, and pile chicken on top of spinach.

6.) Serve and enjoy!