Weeknight Dinner Recipe

Olive oil: A healthy fat used for cooking the chicken and vegetables, adding a rich flavor.

Chicken breast: Lean protein cut into strips for quick cooking and tender texture.

Bell peppers: Adds color, sweetness, and a slight crunch to the dish.

Onions: Provides a savory base and enhances the overall flavor.

Garlic: Adds a pungent, aromatic flavor that complements the other ingredients.

Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.

Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the dish.

When cooking chicken breast, ensure it is cut into uniform strips to promote even cooking. This prevents some pieces from being overcooked while others remain undercooked. Additionally, when adding bell peppers and onions to the skillet, make sure they are sliced thinly and evenly. This allows them to cook at the same rate, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Finally, always add garlic towards the end of the cooking process to avoid burning it, which can impart a bitter taste to the dish.

• olive oil - Substitute with canola oil: Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a similar smoke point, making it a good alternative for cooking.

• chicken breast - Substitute with tofu: Tofu is a great plant-based protein that can absorb flavors well, making it a suitable substitute for chicken in many recipes.

• bell peppers - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini has a mild flavor and similar texture when cooked, providing a comparable crunch and color to bell peppers.

• onions - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor compared to onions, making them a good alternative in many dishes.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor profile when fresh garlic is not available, though it is less pungent.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor to the dish, making it a good alternative to plain salt.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat and flavor profile to black pepper, but with a slightly different aroma.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a splash of olive oil or a bit of chicken broth to prevent sticking.
  3. Add the leftover chicken strips and vegetables.
  4. Stir occasionally until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftovers in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in.
  4. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the leftovers in a microwave-safe container.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. Continue heating in 30-second intervals until thoroughly warmed.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftovers in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Steaming Method:

  1. Set up a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water.
  2. Place the leftovers in the steamer basket.
  3. Cover and steam for 5-7 minutes or until heated through.

• Skillet: A large, flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and browning foods. Essential for cooking the chicken and vegetables evenly.

• Spatula: A broad, flat utensil used for flipping and stirring ingredients in the skillet.

• Cutting board: A durable board on which to place ingredients for cutting. Important for slicing the chicken, bell peppers, and onions.

• Chef's knife: A versatile knife used for chopping, slicing, and dicing ingredients. Ideal for cutting the chicken and vegetables into strips.

• Measuring spoons: Small spoons used to measure out precise amounts of ingredients like olive oil, salt, and black pepper.

• Garlic press: A tool used to crush garlic cloves efficiently. Useful for mincing the garlic quickly.

• Mixing bowl: A bowl used to hold and mix ingredients. Handy for holding prepped vegetables before they go into the skillet.

• Tongs: A tool used to grip and lift food items. Useful for turning the chicken strips and stirring the vegetables in the skillet.

Pre-cut ingredients: Buy pre-sliced bell peppers and onions to save chopping time.

Marinate in advance: Marinate the chicken strips the night before to enhance flavor and reduce prep time.

Use a large skillet: A larger skillet allows for more even cooking and can handle all ingredients at once, reducing cooking time.

Batch cook: Double the recipe and save half for another meal, cutting down on future cooking time.

Quick clean-up: Line your skillet with parchment paper for an easier clean-up process.