Looking for a dish that brings together the best of land and sea, packed with vibrant vegetables and savory flavors? The Ultimate Family Stir-Fry is your answer! This hearty dish combines tender chicken, flank steak, and shrimp with a colorful assortment of fresh veggies, all brought together with a rich, umami-packed sauce. Inspired by the beloved Chinese takeout “Happy Family” stir-fry, this homemade version offers a fresh, nutritious, and satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.
Ingredients:
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast
- ½ lb flank steak, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon baking soda (see note 1)
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- ¼ cup carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1½ tablespoon oil (vegetable or sesame)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 12 sizable raw shrimp, cleaned and deveined
- ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
- ½ cup water chestnut slices
- 1 cup baby corn, chopped into thirds
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
For the Sauce:
- ¾ cup cold chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine (see note 2)
- 1½ tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1½ tablespoons soy sauce
- A generous sprinkle of white pepper powder
Instructions:
- Prepare the Proteins:
- Slice the chicken breast and flank steak into thin strips.
- Toss the flank steak with the baking soda and set aside for 10 minutes (this tenderizes the meat).
- Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
- Season the chicken and shrimp lightly with salt.
- Stir-Fry the Meat:
- Warm 1 tablespoon of oil in a spacious wok or frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until fully cooked.
- Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add another ½ tablespoon of oil and stir-fry the steak for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender.
- Take them out and set aside alongside the chicken.
- Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- Add the broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, baby corn, and water chestnuts to the pan.
- Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are soft yet retain a bit of crunch.
- Remove from the pan.
- Cook the Shrimp:
- In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed, and cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes until they turn pink.
- Remove and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, cornstarch, Chinese cooking wine, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and white pepper.
- Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
- Combine Everything:
- Return all the cooked meats, shrimp, and vegetables to the pan.
- Pour in the sauce and toss everything together over medium heat.
- Stir until the sauce thickens and coats the stir-fry, about 2-3 minutes.
- Serve:
- Garnish with sliced green onions and serve your Ultimate Family Stir-Fry hot with steamed rice or noodles.
Conclusion:
This Ultimate Family Stir-Fry is a fantastic way to bring a variety of flavors and textures to your table. The combination of tender chicken, juicy steak, and succulent shrimp with crisp vegetables creates a balanced and satisfying meal. With its rich sauce and quick cooking process, this dish is a perfect homemade alternative to your favorite Chinese takeout. Best of all, it’s customizable, so feel free to add your favorite veggies or switch up the proteins!
Ultimate Family Stir-Fry: A Fusion of Flavors
Ingredients
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast
- ½ lb flank steak thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon baking soda see note 1
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- ¼ cup carrots peeled and sliced
- 1½ tablespoon oil vegetable or sesame
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 12 sizable raw shrimp cleaned and deveined
- ½ cup mushrooms sliced
- ½ cup water chestnut slices
- 1 cup baby corn chopped into thirds
- 3 green onions sliced
- 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced
For the Sauce:
- ¾ cup cold chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons Chinese cooking wine see note 2
- 1½ tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1½ tablespoons soy sauce
- A generous sprinkle of white pepper powder
Instructions
Prepare the Proteins:
- Slice the chicken breast and flank steak into thin strips.
- Toss the flank steak with the baking soda and set aside for 10 minutes (this tenderizes the meat).
- Rinse thoroughly and pat dry.
- Season the chicken and shrimp lightly with salt.
Stir-Fry the Meat:
- Warm 1 tablespoon of oil in a spacious wok or frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until fully cooked.
- Remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, add another ½ tablespoon of oil and stir-fry the steak for 2-3 minutes until browned but still tender.
- Take them out and set aside alongside the chicken.
Stir-Fry the Vegetables:
- Add the broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, baby corn, and water chestnuts to the pan.
- Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are soft yet retain a bit of crunch.
- Remove from the pan.
Cook the Shrimp:
- In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed, and cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes until they turn pink.
- Remove and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, cornstarch, Chinese cooking wine, oyster sauce, soy sauce, and white pepper.
- Make sure the cornstarch is fully dissolved.
Combine Everything:
- Return all the cooked meats, shrimp, and vegetables to the pan.
- Pour in the sauce and toss everything together over medium heat.
- Stir until the sauce thickens and coats the stir-fry, about 2-3 minutes.
Serve:
- Garnish with sliced green onions and serve your Ultimate Family Stir-Fry hot with steamed rice or noodles.