Sti- frys are one of my favorite dinners. They’re fast and easy to make, pack a punch of flavor, and contain a hefty serving of vegetables. I frequently use leftover, already-cooked meat for the protein in my stir-frys, which makes preparation even quicker.
And if there’s a bit of stir-fry leftover, I like to mix it into scrambled eggs in the morning for a hearty and healthy breakfast. Two meals in one is definitely a win!
Chicken Apple Stir-Fry With Fennel
I like making this stir-fry in the fall when apples are in season. The apples give it a nice burst of sweet/sharpness and the fennel gives it a mild little spice. I usually use leftover chicken that’s already cooked, and grilled is my favorite.
If it’s a busy night and we’re eating in a rush, this stir-fry converts easily into a cold chicken salad. Since apples and fennel are both delicious raw, I just chop all the ingredients and mix them together with some mayo and the spices.
If you have extra fennel, I bet it’d also taste great on top of thisHoney Mustard Chicken with Mushrooms recipe too.
What Do I Need to Know About Fennel?
Fresh fennel is a common enough ingredient that it’s usually not too difficult to find in grocery stores. It’s got a white bulb on the bottom about the size of a medium-large onion. Green stalks shoot up from the bulb and are topped with feathery greens that look a bit like dill.
To use fresh fennel, slice or chop the bulb and saute or eat fresh. The stalks are a bit tough, so I don’t usually use them, but I know they can be chopped up and used in soups and salads. The greens are so pretty and delicate looking and are very tasty in salads.
Fennel tastes a bit like anise, but is light and fresh and not too strong. It can be used in almost any application that calls for celery.Hereare some ideas on how to use it.
Love Stir-Fry As Much As I Do?
If you love stir-fry as much as I do, you may be interested in some more ideas. Here are some of our favorites:
- Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry– this one’s got some Chinese flair to it and it’s delicious
- Beef and Cabbage Stir-Fry
- Chicken Vegetable Stir-Fry
- Chinese Chicken Stir-Fry
- Garlic Butter Calamari Stir-Fry
- Greek Stir-Fry
- Moroccan Chicken Stir-Fry
- Pizza Stir-Fry– it really tastes like pizza in a bowl!
- Sausage Squash Stir-Fry
- Spicy Shrimp Stir-Fry
- Taco Scramble
- Zucchini and Beef Stir-Fry– with zucchini noodles!
Chicken Apple Stir-Fry
This savory and sweet chicken apple stir-fry is fast to make on busy nights and a kid favorite.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 35 minutes mins
Calories 249kcal
Author Katie Wells
Servings
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts (or the meat from 1 whole roasted chicken)
- 2 TBSP butter (or coconut oil)
- 2 medium apples
- 1 medium onion
- 1 bulb fennel
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp basil
Instructions
Stove top:
Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces.
If chicken is raw, dice it and heat the butter or coconut oil in large skillet or wok until melted and cook chicken on medium-high heat until cooked through. (If chicken is pre-cooked, cook the vegetables in the butter first, then add the cooked, diced, chicken)
While the chicken is cooking, dice the apples and onion and thinly slice the fennel bulb into thin slivers.
Add the apples, onion, and fennel to the skillet or wok.
Add the spices, and saute over medium heat until all are cooked through and fragrant, approximately 10-12 minutes.
If using pre-cooked chicken, add the chicken, cook until warmed, and enjoy!
Oven:
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Grease a large baking sheet with butter or coconut oil.
Dice the chicken into bite size pieces and place on baking sheet.
Dice the apples and onions into bite sized pieces and sprinkle on top of chicken.
Thinly slice the fennel bulb and sprinkle on top of onion/apple mix.
Sprinkle with spices and place in the oven.
Bake for 30-40 minutes, stirring halfway through, until chicken is completely cooked through.
Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Chicken Apple Stir-Fry
Amount Per Serving
Calories 249Calories from Fat 75
% Daily Value*
Fat 8.3g13%
Saturated Fat 4.3g27%
Cholesterol 70mg23%
Sodium 700mg30%
Carbohydrates 23.1g8%
Fiber 5.3g22%
Sugar 12.9g14%
Protein 22.2g44%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Notes
Wrap this one in flatbread for hearty, filling breakfast.
Ever cooked with fennel? What do you use it for? Tell me below!
FAQs
The best side dishes to serve with stir fry are jasmine rice, steamed dumplings, Hong Kong noodles, egg rolls, hot and sour soup, ramen, lo mein, potstickers, coconut rice, cucumber salad, fried rice, sesame noodles, vegetable spring rolls, wonton soup, and Asian slaw.
Can we eat chicken and apple together? ›
Chicken and apples make the perfect pair in these perfect-for-fall dinners. If you think apples are only for sweet treats, think again. The versatile fruit stands out in savory recipes, where it can add subtle sweetness.
Which foods are suitable to be made by stir frying? ›
How to Build the Perfect Stir Fry
- Grains – Rice, quinoa, noodles, cauliflower rice (if you want to go grain-free)
- Protein – Tempeh, baked tofu, eggs, shrimp, chicken (lots of plant-based options or meat)
- Vegetables – Bell peppers, broccoli, onion, cabbage, zucchini, etc., or you can add some fruit.
8 Tips to Make Your Stir-Fry More Exciting
- Nuts and seeds. Peanuts might already be regular stir-fry toppers, but it's time to expand your nutty horizons. ...
- Fresh ginger. Ginger will add some serious zing to your stir-fry. ...
- Put an egg on it. ...
- Marinate your protein. ...
- Skip the rice. ...
- Vinegar. ...
- Seaweed. ...
- Fresh herbs.
Most tender beef cuts, such as sirloin, tri-tip, ribeye, top loin (strip), tenderloin, shoulder center (Ranch Steak), shoulder top blade (Flat Iron) and shoulder petite tender, can be cut into strips for use in stir-fry recipes.
What side to eat with chicken? ›
Recipes like roasted Brussels sprouts or roasted potatoes are great picks. For fried or oven-fried chicken, cozy classics like mashed potatoes or garlic butter crescents are always winners. That too goes for saucy chicken casseroles (because who doesn't like some extra sauce and gravy with their taters and crescents?).
Is it OK to eat egg with apple? ›
There is no harm in eating eggs after eating apple or with apple. Instead it will provide you with lots & lots of healthy nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fibre, protein enriched, energy, immunity & a healthy life.
Is it OK to eat apple with dinner? ›
If you are having fruits for dinner, eat just that. Having other types of food, along with fruits could cause indigestion. The digestion process for fruits is entirely different from that for other food groups. So, if you are having a light dinner with other types of food, eat fruits only after 30 minutes from then.
Can I eat apple and rice together? ›
Apples. Great for any meal of the day, one of the all-time classic and comforting fruit and grain combinations is apples and rice.
How to jazz up a stir-fry? ›
Stir-fry accompaniment ideas to help mix it up:
- rice, farro, quinoa, or other whole grain option.
- pasta.
- mashed potatoes.
- sausage.
- ground beef.
- chicken/turkey or ham leftovers.
- shrimp.
- tofu.
The next time you're looking for a meat-free meal on a weeknight, try one of these quick and easy stir fry recipes.
- 1Tofu and peanut quinoa fried 'rice' ...
- 2Spicy broccoli and coconut noodles. ...
- 3Broccolini with garlic and sesame. ...
- 4Crispy tofu and kale stir-fry. ...
- 5Stir-fried barley with vegies and macadamias.
When creating a stir-fry recipe, consider the following additions:
- Aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger, green onions, chilies and spices. ...
- Proteins like beef sirloin, chicken, shrimp, pork loin or tofu, sliced into small, bite-sized pieces. ...
- Vegetables, fresh or frozen.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken, beef, or pork cut into bite sized pieces.
- 2 lbs. vegetables, cut into bite sized pieces.
- 1 tbsp aromatics, such as garlic, ginger, or shallots.
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs, such as basil or cilantro (optional)
- Basic Stir Fry Sauce (see below)
Stir-fry onions first, then add hard vegetables such as carrot and broccoli. Quick-cooking vegetables, such as snow peas, leafy greens and bean sprouts, should be added towards the end of cooking. If using vegies that have a combination of both textures, such as gai laan, add the stems first and the leaves later.
How to stir-fry chicken and keep it juicy? ›
Chicken is sliced into thin, even-sized pieces and then marinated briefly in a mix of baking soda, cornstarch, wine, and seasoning. This seals in moisture and tenderizes the chicken. The high heat and constant tossing of a wok or skillet cook the chicken fast to keep it tender and juicy.
Do you cook chicken or vegetables first in stir-fry? ›
Chicken generally takes longer to cook than vegetables, so starting the stir-frying process by frying off your chicken first is the way to go. To prevent it from getting dry, remove it from the pan once it's brown before cooking the vegetables.
What do you stir food with? ›
Stirring and Mixing
- Rubber spatula: Used for mixing, stirring and spreading. The flexible end makes it good for scraping the sides of a bowl or dish.
- Wooden spoon: Used for mixing and stirring. ...
- Whisk: Used to blend and mix ingredients until they are smooth.
