Stir-Fried Garlic Ginger Chicken with Scallions

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

Tender chicken pieces stir-fried with aromatic garlic, fresh ginger, and scallions for a vibrant, savory meal. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 20 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, garlic cloves, fresh ginger for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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: 10 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Thinly slice 1 lb boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Peel and mince 4 garlic cloves and grate 2 tbsp fresh ginger. Thinly slice 3 scallions, separating the white and green parts.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt and black pepper; cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until edges begin to brown.
  3. Step 3: Push the chicken to the side, then add minced garlic, grated ginger, and the white parts of scallions; sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not burned.
  4. Step 4: Stir everything together and add 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp brown sugar, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1 tbsp sesame oil. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the chicken.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and garnish with the green parts of sliced scallions before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Stir-Fried Garlic Ginger Chicken with Scallions take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Garlic Ginger Chicken with Scallions?

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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Stir-Fried Garlic Ginger Chicken with Scallions?

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 Garlic Ginger Chicken with Scallions 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 Garlic Ginger Chicken with Scallions?

Asian 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.