Quick Sesame-Ginger Chicken Stir-fry
Tender chicken and crisp vegetables in a savory-sweet sesame-ginger sauce, ready in under 30 minutes. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs tablespoons soy sauce, tablespoon rice wine vinegar, tablespoon honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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 pound, cut into 1-inch cubes boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon, grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1, sliced into thin strips red bell pepper
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup snap peas
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves until combined; set aside.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering; add chicken cubes and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, then set aside.
- Step 3: Add bell pepper, broccoli, and snap peas to the skillet and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Step 4: Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to form a slurry, then pour into the skillet; stir constantly until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon (about 1 minute).
- Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, toss to coat, and cook for 1 more minute until heated through.
- Step 6: Sprinkle with 1/4 cup sesame seeds and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Quick Sesame-Ginger 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 Quick 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 tablespoons soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Quick 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 Quick 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.
What goes well with Quick Sesame-Ginger Chicken Stir-fry?
Asian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
