Sesame Ginger Chicken Stir Fry

Meta Description: This sesame ginger chicken stir fry recipe is a perfect, easy, and healthy weeknight meal.¹ Learn how to create a delicious and simple dish with tender chicken and a flavorful, savory sauce.

I’ve always been a big fan of quick and easy dinners. After a long day, the last thing I want to do is spend hours in the kitchen. But I also get tired of the same old routine. I was looking for a dish that was as fast as takeout but tasted a million times better. A friend of mine, a genius in her own right, suggested a stir-fry. It seemed simple enough, but I wanted to create a flavor that was a little more unique than the usual soy sauce and ginger combo.

I decided to try a new combination of flavors: a simple, savory sauce with a little bit of sesame and a ton of fresh ginger. The result was a revelation. The tender, juicy chicken and the crisp, vibrant vegetables all came together in a delicious, one-pan masterpiece. It was a dish that felt special and exotic but was actually incredibly easy to make. From that day on, sesame ginger chicken stir fry became my go-to. It’s a meal that feels like a guilty pleasure but is actually a simple, wholesome, and healthy meal. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel both comforted and clever for having created something so wonderful with so little effort.

This recipe is designed to bring that simple, delicious feeling to your home. It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t need a lot of ingredients or a lot of fuss to create something truly special. The key is in the layering of flavors and the simple cooking process that gives you a perfect stir-fry every time. We’ll show you how to get the perfect texture on your chicken, how to make a delicious, savory sauce, and how to combine it all into a delicious one-pan meal that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.

🐔 The Secret to Tender Chicken

The chicken is the star of this sesame ginger chicken stir fry. We want it to be tender and juicy, not tough or chewy. The secret to achieving this is a simple technique called velveting. Velveting is a traditional Chinese cooking method that coats the meat in a mixture of cornstarch, soy sauce, and a little bit of water or rice wine. This creates a protective layer around the meat, which keeps it moist and tender during the high-heat stir-fry.

For this recipe, we’ll be using boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Both are relatively lean cuts that are perfect for a quick stir-fry. We’ll slice the chicken thinly against the grain. This is a crucial step! Slicing against the grain shortens the muscle fibers, which makes the meat more tender and easier to chew. After slicing, we’ll toss the chicken with the velveting mixture and let it marinate for just a few minutes. This simple step is what will give you that melt-in-your-mouth texture that is the hallmark of great Chinese stir-fries.

Once the chicken is marinated, we’ll quickly sear it in a hot wok or skillet. The goal is to cook it for just a few minutes, until it’s browned on the outside but still pink on the inside. We’ll then remove it from the pan and add it back at the end, which prevents it from overcooking and becoming tough.²

🌟 Mastering the Sesame Ginger Sauce

The sauce is the heart of this dish. A truly authentic ginger sesame stir fry sauce is all about the balance of flavors: salty, sweet, and a little bit of a kick.

The sauce is a simple combination of key ingredients: soy sauce for salt and umami, a little bit of honey or brown sugar for sweetness, and a touch of rice vinegar for a tangy kick. The flavor comes from two places: fresh ginger and garlic. We’ll be using a generous amount of both. The ginger has a spicy, pungent flavor that is a perfect complement to the savory soy sauce.³ The garlic adds a deep, savory flavor that is a must for any good stir-fry.

We’ll whisk all these ingredients together in a small bowl while the chicken and vegetables are cooking. The sauce is added to the pan at the very end and thickens as it simmers, coating every vegetable and piece of chicken in its rich, flavorful goodness. Don’t be afraid to taste and adjust the sauce to your liking—you might want more sweetness or a little more ginger.

✅ Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is simple and flexible. Feel free to use your favorite vegetables and adjust the spices to your liking.

• For the Chicken:
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced⁴
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch⁵
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce, low-sodium
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine or water
• For the Stir Fry:
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil⁶
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced⁷
  • 1 cup broccoli florets⁸
  • 1 carrot, thinly sliced or julienned⁹
  • 1 cup snow or snap peas¹⁰
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced¹¹
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated¹²
• For the Sauce:
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce, low-sodium
  • 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar¹³
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar¹⁴
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• For Garnish:
  • 2 tablespoons roasted sesame seeds¹⁵
  • 2 tablespoons fresh green onions, chopped

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

This recipe is incredibly fast and easy to make. You’ll have a delicious, flavorful meal on the table in under 30 minutes.

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, soy sauce, and rice wine. Add the thinly sliced chicken and toss to coat. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes while you prep the other ingredients.
2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.¹⁶ Set the sauce aside.
3. Stir-Fry the Chicken: Heat the sesame oil in a large wok or skillet over high heat.¹⁷ Add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until browned.¹⁸ The chicken will not be cooked through, which is what we want! Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
4. Stir-Fry the Vegetables: In the same pan, add the sliced red bell pepper, broccoli florets, and sliced carrots.¹⁹ Stir-fry for 3-5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-crisp.²⁰ Add the snow peas and cook for another minute until they are bright green and slightly softened.
5. Combine and Serve: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for one minute, until fragrant. Add the cooked chicken and the sauce to the pan with the vegetables.²¹ Stir everything together until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are evenly coated in the sauce. Remove from the heat.
6. Garnish: Serve the stir-fry immediately. Garnish with a sprinkle of roasted sesame seeds and a few chopped green onions.²²

🤔 Common Questions & Troubleshooting

This is a very forgiving recipe, but a few questions might come up. Here are some answers and tips.

Q: My chicken is tough. What did I do wrong?

A: This is usually because the chicken was not sliced against the grain or was cooked for too long. Make sure you slice the chicken thinly and against the grain. Also, make sure you don’t overcook it in the beginning. It should still be a little pink in the middle when you remove it from the pan.

Q: Can I use different vegetables?

A: Yes! This recipe is incredibly versatile. Sliced mushrooms, zucchini, or even a handful of spinach would all work beautifully. The key is to add the vegetables that take longer to cook first.23

Q: Can I make this a vegetarian dish?

A: Yes! This recipe is incredibly easy to make vegetarian. Simply omit the chicken and use a different protein. Pan-fried tofu, roasted chickpeas, or a mix of extra vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers would all work wonderfully.

Q: Can I make this dish ahead of time?

A: This dish is best served fresh, but you can prep the ingredients ahead of time. You can slice the chicken and marinate it, chop the vegetables, and make the sauce up to a day in advance. Store everything in separate containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook, the stir-fry will come together in minutes.24

🍽️ Serving Suggestions & Variations

This sesame ginger chicken stir fry is a complete meal, but a few additions can take it to the next level.

• Pairings: This stir-fry is perfect on its own, but a simple side of fluffy jasmine rice or a few warm noodles would be a great addition.
• Add a Protein: If you want to add more protein, some roasted cashews or peanuts on top add a delicious crunch. For a non-chicken option, you can use beef, shrimp, or a plant-based protein like tofu.
• Sauce Variations:
  • Spicy: A little bit of chili garlic sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes would add a fiery kick to the sauce.
  • Creamy: A swirl of full-fat coconut milk at the end would make the sauce even richer and creamier.
  • Tangy: A splash of rice vinegar or a little bit of fresh ginger would add a nice tangy flavor.

Note: Nutritional information is an estimate based on standard ingredient values and may vary.

✨ A Delicious Weeknight Win

Sesame ginger chicken stir fry is more than just a quick meal; it’s a testament to the fact that you can use simple ingredients to create something truly wonderful. It’s a dish that’s healthy, satisfying, and perfectly delicious. The combination of the tender chicken, the crisp vegetables, and the savory, flavorful sauce is a flavor profile that will have you coming back for seconds.

I hope this recipe helps you find a new favorite and that it becomes a staple in your kitchen. It’s a great way to use up fresh vegetables and create a meal that’s both healthy and incredibly satisfying. Give it a try, and don’t be afraid to make it your own by adding your favorite ingredients and toppings. Happy cooking!