Sesame-Ginger Honey Chicken Stir-Fry
Tender chicken thighs coated in a savory-sweet glaze with crisp vegetables, ready in under 30 minutes for a vibrant weeknight dinner. This asian-inspired quick meals ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, soy sauce, rice vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp, grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 cup, thinly sliced red bell pepper
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/2 cup, sliced carrots
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp, chopped green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch cubes), 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, and 2 cloves minced garlic; mix well and marinate for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Whisk 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1/4 cup water in a small bowl until smooth to create a slurry.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering; add the marinated chicken in a single layer and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through; remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 4: Add 1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper, 1 cup broccoli florets, and 1/2 cup sliced carrots to the skillet; cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender and slightly caramelized.
- Step 5: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, pour in the cornstarch slurry, and stir for 1 minute until sauce thickens and coats the vegetables evenly.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, sprinkle with 1 tbsp sesame seeds and 2 tbsp chopped green onions, and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sesame-Ginger Honey 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 Sesame-Ginger Honey 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sesame-Ginger Honey 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 Sesame-Ginger Honey 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 Sesame-Ginger Honey Chicken Stir-Fry?
Asian quick meals 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
- ★★★★★
Love how the Asian come through in every bite.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.