Sautéed Garlic Ginger Chicken with Toasted Sesame

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

Tender chicken pieces cooked with fresh garlic and ginger, finished with toasted sesame seeds for a fragrant and savory dish. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, fresh garlic cloves, minced, fresh ginger, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces. Pat dry.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp minced fresh ginger to the skillet and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 3 tbsp soy sauce and 2 tbsp sesame oil, stirring to coat the chicken evenly. Cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce reduces slightly and thickens.
  5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 1/2 tsp black pepper over the chicken. Toss and cook for 30 seconds more.
  6. Step 6: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 sliced green onions before serving warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Garlic Ginger Chicken with Toasted Sesame 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 Sautéed Garlic Ginger Chicken with Toasted Sesame?

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 fresh garlic cloves, minced from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Ginger Chicken with Toasted Sesame?

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 Sautéed Garlic Ginger Chicken with Toasted Sesame 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 Sautéed Garlic Ginger Chicken with Toasted Sesame?

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.

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