Tender chicken strips, colorful crunchy vegetables, a lightly thickened sauce, and homemade golden fries make for a hearty combination full of bold flavors. Thanks to a marinade with soy sauce, egg, and starch, the meat stays pleasantly juicy.
This recipe requires a longer marinating time, but the actual preparation in the pan is simple. Just sear the meat in small batches and stir-fry the vegetables briefly so they keep their bite. You can enhance the mix with herbs, your favorite sauce, or a spicy chili addition to taste.
What You’ll Need
For the chicken stir-fry:
- 500 g chicken breast or thigh fillets, cut into thin strips,
- 1 tablespoon stir-fry seasoning or a mix of curry, ginger, garlic, and chili,
- 1 egg,
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce,
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch,
- 1 onion, optional, sliced into strips,
- 1 whole leek, sliced into rings or strips,
- 1 red bell pepper or sweet pepper, cut into strips,
- 1 yellow or green bell pepper, cut into strips,
- 1 tablespoon wine or rice vinegar,
- 1 teaspoon sugar,
- vegetable oil for frying,
- water or chicken broth for adding moisture.
For homemade fries:
- 800 g potatoes, type B or C,
- 2 tablespoons plain flour,
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch,
- 1 tablespoon American potato seasoning or a mix of paprika, salt, dried garlic, and onion,
- oil for frying in a small pot.
Step-by-Step Preparation:
1. Marinating the meat: Wash, clean, and slice the chicken into thin strips. In a bowl, mix thoroughly with stir-fry seasoning, egg, soy sauce, and cornstarch. Let marinate in the fridge for at least 3 hours, ideally overnight.
2. Preparing the potatoes: Peel, wash, and cut the potatoes into fries of your desired size. Rinse them thoroughly under running water to remove excess starch, then dry them as well as possible with a clean towel.
3. Coating the fries: In a bowl, mix the flour, cornstarch, and American potato seasoning. Add the dried fries and toss well so they’re evenly coated on all sides.
4. Searing the chicken: Heat enough oil in a wok or large pan over high heat. Sear the marinated meat on all sides until golden, always in small batches so it fries and doesn’t start to stew. Remove the cooked meat and set aside.
5. Stir-frying the vegetables: Add a little oil to the same pan if needed. Sauté the optional onion until golden, then add the leek and both peppers. Stir-fry the vegetables for about 3–5 minutes so they soften slightly but stay a bit crunchy.
6. Finishing the chicken mix: Return the seared meat to the vegetables, pour in the vinegar, and add the sugar. Add soy sauce to taste, mix, and pour in a little water or chicken broth. Simmer briefly until the sauce thickens slightly.
7. Frying the fries: Heat enough oil in a small deep pot. Test the temperature with a piece of potato—it should start sizzling immediately. Fry the fries in small batches so the oil doesn’t cool down, until they’re golden and crispy.
8. Removing excess oil: Remove the fried fries with a slotted spoon and lay them out on a paper towel. Let them drain briefly to get rid of excess fat and keep their crispy surface.
9. Serving: Serve the chicken stir-fry immediately with freshly fried homemade fries. You can top the dish with your favorite sauce or sprinkle with fresh herbs to taste.
How to Keep the Meat Juicy and the Vegetables Crunchy
Only add the meat to well-heated oil and fry it in small batches. An overcrowded pan would cool down quickly, the chicken would release its juices, and instead of frying, it would start to stew.
The vegetables only need 3–5 minutes. Don’t add them to the sauce too early, and after returning the meat, just simmer briefly until the liquid thickens slightly.
How to Make Even Crispier Fries
It’s important to rinse the cut potatoes thoroughly and then dry them really well. Fry the fries in small batches so the oil temperature doesn’t drop too much. For extra crispiness, you can fry them twice—first at a lower temperature, then briefly at a higher one.
If you want a lighter version, you can bake the coated fries in the oven or prepare them in an air fryer instead of frying.
Final Tip
You can add a few drops of sesame oil or honey to the marinade for extra flavor. For a spicier mix, add chili sauce or hot oil to the finished sauce. For a vegetarian version, use tofu or tempeh and marinate it the same way as the chicken.
