Cantonese Ginger-Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry
Tender chicken with vibrant ginger and sesame flavors, paired with crisp-tender vegetables in a glossy sauce—inspired by the top spoken language groups in U.S. Census data. This chinese-inspired asian (high protein) ready in about 27 minutes pairs boneless chicken breast, soy sauce, rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 12 oz boneless chicken breast
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp, minced fresh ginger
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 medium, thinly sliced green bell pepper
- 1 medium, julienned carrot
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 12 oz boneless chicken breast into 1-inch cubes and toss with 1 tbsp cornstarch until coated.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 1/2 tsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp minced fresh ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves to make the sauce.
- Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until golden and cooked through; remove and set aside.
- Step 4: Add bell pepper, carrot, and broccoli to the skillet with 1/4 cup water, cover, and steam for 2 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, pour in the sauce mixture, and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the vegetables and chicken.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cantonese Ginger-Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry take to make?
Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Cantonese Ginger-Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry?
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 boneless chicken breast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cantonese Ginger-Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry?
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 Cantonese Ginger-Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.
Is Cantonese Ginger-Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 12-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.