Best Watercress Chicken Stir Fry Recipes

STIR-FRIED WATERCRESS: A HEALTHY LEAFY GREEN VEGETABLE

Steps:

• Place your wok over medium high heat, and add the oil, spreading it around to coat the surface of the wok.
• Add the ginger, letting it caramelize and infuse the oil. Take care not to let it burn. Add the minced garlic, and give it a stir. Immediately add the watercress (if you wait too long, your garlic could burn). Turn the heat up to high.
• Stir-fry the watercress for 20 seconds to evenly distribute the ginger, garlic and oil. Once mixed, move all of the watercress to the center of the wok in a small pile, and cover the wok.
• After 45 seconds, uncover the wok. There should be plenty of steam at this point. Use a circular stirring motion to drag the pile of watercress and some of the liquid around the sides of the superheated wok. Stirring the watercress against the hottest and driest part of the wok will generate that wok hay flavor. Gather the watercress back in the middle of the wok. To give you an idea of the cooking time, this step should take no more than 20 seconds.
• While you wait for the sides of the wok to reheat, add the white pepper, sugar, salt, sesame oil and MSG, if using. (A quick note on the spices: we list MSG as optional because many people shy away from it, but it's a tasty addition to leafy green vegetables that really gives you that restaurant flavor. Use it per your own tastes and perspectives!)
• Stir-fry the mixture again to mix in the seasonings, once more stirring the watercress and the liquid so it hits the sides of the wok to generate more wok hay.
• Use your wok spatula to scoop the watercress onto a shallow rimmed bowl, making sure to get the remaining liquid, as it's super-infused with garlic, ginger, and those vitamins from the watercress. Serve as a side dish or just with some white rice as a super light vegan meal.

WATERCRESS STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Heat a wok or cast-iron skillet over high. When wisps of smoke rise, swirl in vegetable oil. Add minced ginger and minced garlic and cook until sizzling, 15 seconds.
• Add watercress; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until greens collapse, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and toss with sesame oil. Serve watercress topped with toasted sesame seeds.

WILTED WATERCRESS WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat a dry 12-inch heavy skillet or wok (not nonstick) over medium heat until hot. Add oil, then garlic, and cook, tossing constantly, until garlic is deep golden. Add watercress and salt, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook, tossing constantly, 45 seconds. Add stock and toss again, then cook, covered, until stems are crisp-tender and leaves are just wilted, about 20 seconds.
• Serve with garlic cloves arranged on top.

GINGER CHICKEN WITH WATERCRESS

Steps:

• Put all but 2 tablespoons of the scallions in a blender; add the ginger, jalapeno, brown sugar, fish sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, tomato and 1/4 teaspoon salt and blend until smooth. Transfer to a 6-quart slow cooker.
• Add the chicken and mushrooms to the slow cooker and stir to coat. Cover and cook on low, 4 hours.
• Roughly chop the watercress and stir into the slow cooker. Serve the chicken and vegetables with rice; top with the reserved scallions.

STIR-FRIED WATERCRESS WITH BEAN SAUCE

Steps:

• If you're using them, soak the dried shrimp in hot water to cover until softened, just a few minutes. Combine them in a small food processor with the chiles, garlic, and shallots and process to a paste. Toss with the watercress.
• Put the oil in a skillet or wok over high heat; a minute later, add the watercress and paste. Cook, stirring almost constantly, for about a minute, or until the watercress wilts. Stir in 2 tablespoons water, then the bean sauce, sugar, nam pla, and pepper; cook for 10 seconds, then turn off the heat.
• Taste and add salt or other seasoning as necessary. Stir in the basil and serve.