A stir-fry is a type of dish consisting of both protein and vegetables, that are cooked on a stove top over high heat while being continuously stirred. The stir-fried ingredients are often combined with a sauce to add extra moisture and flavor to the dish. A common type of sauce used in stir-fries is teriyaki sauce, a sauce with a sweet undertone that is usually a combination of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and sugar. Teriyaki chicken stir-fry is a variation of the dish that generally consists of cubes of boneless chicken breast that are stir-fried and tossed in teriyaki sauce, which forms a light glaze on the chicken.
The teriyaki sauce that is used for making teriyaki chicken stir-fry may be purchased completely premade in a jar or as a powder in a packet that requires adding liquid. A homemade version may also be used, which is often recommended for people who wish to control the ingredient ratios. The sauce may be made by combining soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, or any preferred seasonings.
Since teriyaki chicken stir-fry cooks so quickly, it is generally recommended to have all of the ingredients prepared before starting the cooking process. The chicken may be cut into the preferred size; however, it tends to be advised to keep the pieces a uniform size to ensure even cooking. Vegetables, such as broccoli or red peppers, may also be added to the dish. If homemade teriyaki sauce is being used in the dish, it will typically be recommended to make it before the other ingredients are prepared so that the flavors in the sauce have time to meld together. To add extra flavor to the dish, the chicken may also be marinated in additional teriyaki sauce prior to cooking.
Teriyaki chicken stir-fry is typically made by cooking the chicken pieces in oil over high heat, while continuously stirring until the chicken is cooked through. If vegetables are being used, the chicken is usually removed from the pan once it is cooked through and the vegetables are stir-fried separately. Since they may not require the same amount of cooking time as the chicken, stir-frying the ingredients separately helps prevent overcooking some ingredients. The cooked chicken and vegetables are then usually combined with the teriyaki sauce and cooked until the sauce starts to bubble and thicken enough to coat the ingredients. The stir-fry is often served with rice or noodles in order to absorb the additional teriyaki sauce as well as to make the dish more filling.
