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Zucchini & Chicken Stir-Fry with Lemon Garlic Sauce

A nutritious and delicious stir-fry combining tender chicken and crunchy zucchini in a zesty lemon garlic sauce, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 4 servings

Ingredients

Main ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced
  • 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into half-moons
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or olive oil)
  • 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced Additional for the sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for sweetness)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 1/4 cup water or chicken broth

Instructions

Preparation

  • Slice the chicken into thin, bite-sized pieces and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and olive oil. If you prefer a thicker sauce, dissolve cornstarch in water or chicken broth and add it to the sauce mixture. Set aside.

Cooking

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken and stir-fry for about 5-7 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
  • In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the zucchini and onion and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until the zucchini is tender but still crisp. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute, until fragrant.
  • Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the lemon garlic sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to coat everything evenly in the sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld together.

Serving

  • Serve the Zucchini & Chicken Stir-Fry over a bed of steamed rice. Garnish with fresh parsley or chopped green onions for added flavor and color.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of honey for about 30 minutes before cooking. Don't overcook the zucchini; it should still have a slight crunch. Feel free to add other veggies like bell peppers or snap peas.