Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken with Sesame and Garlic
Juicy chicken pieces stir-fried with aromatic garlic and a spicy sesame sauce for a quick Asian-inspired dinner. This korean-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs vegetable oil, minced garlic cloves, sesame oil 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.
Ingredients
- 500g, cut into 1-inch pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 stalks, chopped scallions
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 500g chicken thigh pieces and stir-fry for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Step 2: Push the chicken to one side, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp sesame oil to the pan, and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp gochujang, and 1 tbsp brown sugar until combined, then pour over the chicken. Toss everything together and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and garnish with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 chopped scallions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken with Sesame and Garlic 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 Sesame and Garlic?
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 Sesame and Garlic?
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 Sesame and Garlic 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 Sesame and Garlic?
Korean 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.
