Stir-Fried Chicken with Star Anise and Five-Spice Vegetables
Quick stir-fry combining tender chicken pieces with crunchy vegetables and a fragrant star anise five-spice seasoning. This asian fusion-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs vegetable oil, star anise powder, five-spice powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp star anise powder
- 1 tsp five-spice powder
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium, julienned red bell pepper
- 1 cup, trimmed snap peas
- 1 large, julienned carrot
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2, sliced for garnish scallions
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, toss 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces with 1 tsp star anise powder and 1 tsp five-spice powder until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add the chicken pieces and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
- Step 4: Add 1 julienned red bell pepper, 1 cup snap peas, and 1 large julienned carrot to the wok. Stir-fry together for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are crisp tender.
- Step 5: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce and 2 tbsp oyster sauce. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens and coats the chicken and vegetables.
- Step 6: Turn off heat and drizzle 1 tsp sesame oil over the stir-fry. Garnish with 2 sliced scallions before serving immediately with steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stir-Fried Chicken with Star Anise and Five-Spice Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Stir-Fried Chicken with Star Anise and Five-Spice Vegetables?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Chicken with Star Anise and Five-Spice Vegetables?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Stir-Fried Chicken with Star Anise and Five-Spice Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Stir-Fried Chicken with Star Anise and Five-Spice Vegetables?
Asian Fusion chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
