Stir-Fried Chicken with Ginger, Scallions, and Black Bean Sauce

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

Quick stir-fried chicken tossed with fragrant ginger, scallions, and savory fermented black bean sauce for an authentic Asian flavor. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, fermented black beans, 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
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Toss 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces with 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp vegetable oil in a wok over high heat until shimmering. Add chicken pieces and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes until golden and cooked through; transfer to a plate.
  3. Step 3: Lower heat to medium, add 2 tbsp mashed fermented black beans and 2 tbsp finely julienned fresh ginger. Stir-fry for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Return chicken to the wok along with 4 scallions cut into 2-inch pieces, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/4 cup water.
  5. Step 5: Stir-fry everything together for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken pieces nicely. Serve immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Chicken with Ginger, Scallions, and Black Bean Sauce 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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Ginger, Scallions, and Black Bean Sauce?

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 fermented black beans from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Chicken with Ginger, Scallions, and Black Bean Sauce?

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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Ginger, Scallions, and Black Bean Sauce 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 Stir-Fried Chicken with Ginger, Scallions, and Black Bean Sauce?

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.

Related recipes