Crispy Sesame-Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
Tender chicken thighs coated in a glossy, savory-sweet sesame-ginger glaze, stir-fried with crisp vegetables for a restaurant-quality meal in under 30 minutes. This asian-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs (450g) boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 490 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 (450g) boneless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cup julienned carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced red bell pepper
- 3 sliced green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes. In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Add chicken and toss to coat; marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Whisk 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water in a small bowl to make a slurry.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp canola oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat until smoking. Add chicken in a single layer and sear for 3 minutes until golden brown on all sides. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 4: Add broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper to the skillet. Stir-fry for 4 minutes until crisp-tender and bright green.
- Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet. Add the cornstarch slurry and stir for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 3 sliced green onions. Serve immediately over steamed rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Crispy Sesame-Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 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 Crispy Sesame-Ginger 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Crispy Sesame-Ginger 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 Crispy Sesame-Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry 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.
Is Crispy Sesame-Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.