Sautéed Hunan Chicken with Honey-Soy Glaze

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

Tender chicken pieces stir-fried in a vibrant honey, soy, and bean sauce glaze with fresh ginger and scallions. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs grams boneless skinless chicken thighs, tablespoons vegetable oil, teaspoons finely minced fresh ginger 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 500 grams boneless skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces about 1-inch each. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 2 teaspoons finely minced fresh ginger and 3 cloves minced garlic, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  3. Step 3: Add the chicken pieces to the wok and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and starting to brown on the edges.
  4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon Chinese fermented bean sauce, 2 tablespoons dry sherry, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, and 2 tablespoons water until smooth.
  5. Step 5: Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken in the wok and stir continuously, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken evenly.
  6. Step 6: Toss in 3 sliced scallions and cook for an additional 1 minute until the scallions soften slightly but retain color. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Hunan Chicken with Honey-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 Sautéed Hunan Chicken with Honey-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 tablespoons vegetable oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Hunan Chicken with Honey-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 Sautéed Hunan Chicken with Honey-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 Sautéed Hunan Chicken with Honey-Soy Glaze?

Chinese 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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