Honey-Sesame Glazed Chicken Stir Fry
A quick and flavorful chicken stir fry with a sticky honey-sesame glaze and crisp vegetables, perfect for a weeknight dinner. This asian-inspired stir fry (gluten free option) ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, sesame oil, garlic cloves, minced 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 large carrot, julienned
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Heat 2 tbsp sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 sliced red bell pepper, 2 cups broccoli florets, and 1 julienned large carrot. Cook for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp rice vinegar. Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water until smooth, then add to the sauce.
- Step 5: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens and coats the ingredients.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions over the top before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Sesame Glazed Chicken Stir Fry take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Honey-Sesame Glazed 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 sesame oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Sesame Glazed 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 Honey-Sesame Glazed 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 Honey-Sesame Glazed Chicken Stir Fry gluten free option?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.