Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken with Garlic and Chili
Tender chicken pieces quickly stir-fried with garlic and fresh red chili, creating a fiery and flavorful dish. This thai-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs vegetable oil, thinly sliced garlic cloves, thinly sliced fresh red chili for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 pieces boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 5, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 2, thinly sliced fresh red chili
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add 5 thinly sliced garlic cloves and 2 thinly sliced fresh red chilies, stir-frying for 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
- Step 2: Add 1 lb bite-sized boneless chicken thigh pieces to the wok and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and edges begin to brown.
- Step 3: Stir in 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp fish sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, and 1/4 tsp white pepper. Continue cooking and tossing for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped cilantro over the dish before serving immediately with steamed jasmine rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken with Garlic and Chili 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 Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken with Garlic and Chili?
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 vegetable oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken with Garlic and Chili?
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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Garlic and Chili 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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Garlic and Chili?
Thai 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.
