Spicy Korean-Inspired Chicken Stir Fry with Sesame
A vibrant and quick stir fry featuring tender chicken pieces tossed in a spicy, savory sauce with crisp vegetables and toasted sesame seeds. This korean-inspired stir fry ready in about 30 minutes pairs soy sauce, gochujang (Korean chili paste), honey for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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, cut into 1-inch strips boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium, sliced into strips green bell pepper
- 1 large, julienned carrot
- 3, sliced thinly scallions
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp gochujang, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 2 tsp sesame oil until smooth.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb chicken thigh strips, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until chicken is cooked through and starting to brown.
- Step 3: Add 1 sliced medium green bell pepper and 1 large julienned carrot to the wok. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp.
- Step 4: Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and vegetables, stirring continuously for 2 minutes until everything is coated and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle with 3 sliced scallions and 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving over steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Korean-Inspired Chicken Stir Fry with Sesame 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 Spicy Korean-Inspired Chicken Stir Fry with 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 soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Korean-Inspired Chicken Stir Fry with 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 Spicy Korean-Inspired Chicken Stir Fry with 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 Spicy Korean-Inspired Chicken Stir Fry with Sesame?
Korean stir fry 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.
