Garlic Chili Chicken Stir Fry with Soy Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A fiery chicken stir fry with garlic and chili, balanced with fresh vegetables and a bold soy sauce glaze. This japanese-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs vegetable oil, garlic cloves, minced, red chili flakes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

★ 4.1 (14 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp red chili flakes to the skillet, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not burnt.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp brown sugar, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar. Cook for 2 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly and coat the chicken.
  4. Step 4: Add 1 sliced medium green bell pepper and 1 sliced medium yellow onion to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 chopped scallions and 1 tsp sesame seeds before serving over steamed rice or noodles.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic Chili Chicken Stir Fry with Soy Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Garlic Chili Chicken Stir Fry with Soy Glaze?

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 vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic Chili Chicken Stir Fry with Soy Glaze?

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 Garlic Chili Chicken Stir Fry with Soy Glaze 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.

What goes well with Garlic Chili Chicken Stir Fry with Soy Glaze?

Japanese chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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