If you are looking for a dish that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors while offering a satisfying crunch and tender chicken, this Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe is your go-to meal. Bursting with vibrant vegetables and a sticky honey garlic glaze, each bite promises a delightful harmony of textures and tastes that will quickly become a favorite for busy weeknights or casual dinner parties. With easy-to-find ingredients and a straightforward method, this recipe will soon feel like an effortless classic in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe lies in its simple yet carefully chosen ingredients. Each component adds its unique flair, whether it’s the tender chicken, the crisp snap peas, or the fragrant ginger and garlic that build the sauce’s rich profile.
- Low sodium soy sauce: Provides a salty, umami base without overpowering the other flavors.
- Honey: Adds just the right amount of natural sweetness to balance the savory notes.
- Rice vinegar: Gives a subtle tang that brightens up the stir fry.
- Toasted sesame oil: Delivers a nutty aroma and depth to the sauce.
- Ginger root (grated): Offers a zesty warmth that complements the garlic beautifully.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Infuses the dish with its unmistakable pungent, aromatic flavor.
- Sambal Oelek: Adds a mild kick of heat and complexity.
- Chicken thighs (cut into 1 inch pieces): Juicy and tender, perfect for stir frying and soaking up the sauce.
- Corn starch: Helps coat the chicken for a crispy, velvety coating once cooked.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors without being too intense.
- Black pepper: Brings a gentle spice that rounds out the seasoning.
- Snap peas: Add a fresh crunch and vibrant green color to the mix.
- Red bell pepper (thinly sliced): Offers sweetness and a pop of color.
- Carrot (peeled and thinly sliced into coins): Provides subtle earthiness and a pleasing texture.
- Refined avocado oil: A neutral oil perfect for high-heat cooking without overpowering the flavors.
- Sesame seeds (optional for garnish): Sprinkle on top for an added nutty flavor and pretty finishing touch.
How to Make Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
Start by whisking together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and Sambal Oelek in a small bowl. This sauce is the heart of your Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe, combining sweet, sour, spicy, and savory notes into one beautifully balanced glaze. Set it aside while you prep the other ingredients.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
In a large bowl, toss the chicken thigh pieces with cornstarch, kosher salt, and black pepper until each piece is fully coated. This step is crucial because the cornstarch creates a light, crispy layer on each bite of chicken, adding texture and helping the sauce adhere later on.
Step 3: Cook the Vegetables
Heat one tablespoon of refined avocado oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced red bell pepper, snap peas, and carrot coins. Cook, stirring often, until the vegetables become slightly browned and blistered, about 4 to 5 minutes. Then, remove them from the pan and set aside. This technique gives your veggies a subtle caramelized flavor while keeping them crisp.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan. Make sure the heat stays hot enough to brown the chicken but not so hot that it burns the pan. In batches if necessary, add the chicken pieces carefully to avoid overcrowding. Let each piece cook 3 to 4 minutes per side until cooked through, golden, and slightly crispy. This is where the texture contrast begins to take shape in the Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe.
Step 5: Combine and Glaze
Return the cooked vegetables to the pan with the chicken. Pour in the prepared sauce and stir everything together, scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce thicken and coat every piece for about 2 to 3 minutes. This final step melds all the flavors beautifully, turning your stir fry into a sticky, sweet, and garlicky masterpiece. Finish by sprinkling sesame seeds on top if you like a little extra crunch and nuttiness.
How to Serve Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe, garnish with toasted sesame seeds for a subtle crunch and a nutty flavor. You can also add freshly chopped green onions or a sprinkle of red chili flakes if you like a bit more heat and color.
Side Dishes
This stir fry shines when paired with steamed jasmine or basmati rice, which soaks up the luscious sauce perfectly. For a low-carb option, serve it over cauliflower rice or alongside a crisp Asian slaw to add fresh texture and brightness to your meal.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests or switch things up, serve your Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe inside lettuce cups for a fun handheld version. Another great idea is layering it over a bed of cooked noodles like soba or rice noodles to create a complete, hearty dish with comforting carbs.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Let your Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, maintaining most of its flavor and texture when reheated carefully.
Freezing
If you want to keep it longer, freeze the stir fry in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Keep in mind that the texture of the vegetables may soften slightly after thawing, so it’s best to enjoy it within a couple of months for optimum freshness.
Reheating
Reheat the stir fry gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Adding a splash of water or broth can help loosen the sauce and keep the chicken juicy. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the chicken rubbery and the vegetables soggy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breast can be used, but keep in mind it’s leaner and can dry out faster than thighs. Cook just until opaque and no longer pink to retain moisture and tenderness.
Is this recipe spicy?
The Sambal Oelek adds a mild, pleasant heat, but you can adjust or omit it if you prefer your Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe milder. For extra spice, add chili flakes or fresh chopped chilies.
Can I substitute other vegetables?
Definitely. Feel free to swap snap peas and bell peppers with broccoli florets, baby corn, mushrooms, or zucchini depending on what you have on hand. Just adjust cooking times to keep veggies crisp-tender.
What’s the best way to thicken the sauce?
The sauce naturally thickens when simmered with the chicken and vegetables, thanks to the cornstarch coating. If you want it thicker, you can stir in a little cornstarch slurry made with water at the end and cook for an extra minute or two.
Can this dish be made gluten-free?
Yes! Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce and double-check that other ingredients like the Sambal Oelek and cornstarch are gluten-free. This simple swap lets you enjoy the full flavor safely.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly comforting about this Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe that makes it perfect for any night of the week. It’s quick, packed with fresh ingredients, and delivers a suite of flavors that feels both bright and indulgent. I hope you dive into this recipe and make it a beloved part of your cooking repertoire because sharing meals this delicious always feels like sharing a little love.
Print
Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
A flavorful and easy Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry featuring tender chicken thighs, crisp vegetables, and a deliciously sticky honey garlic sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this stir fry balances sweet, savory, and spicy notes with fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
Sauce
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon ginger root (grated)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Sambal Oelek
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs (cut into 1 inch pieces)
- â…“ cup corn starch
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 8 ounces snap peas
- 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
- 1 large carrot (peeled and thinly sliced into coins)
Other
- 2 tablespoons refined avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together low sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and Sambal Oelek until well combined. Set aside to let flavors meld.
- Coat Chicken: In a large bowl, toss chicken thigh pieces with corn starch, kosher salt, and black pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Set aside to allow the coating to adhere.
- Cook Vegetables: Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat and add one tablespoon of refined avocado oil. Add the red bell pepper slices and snap peas. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to brown and blister, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Add the remaining tablespoon of avocado oil to the same pan. Adjust the heat to keep the pan hot but prevent burning. Add the coated chicken pieces, cooking in a single layer without overcrowding—work in batches if necessary. Cook each side for 3 to 4 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and nicely browned.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked vegetables to the pan with the chicken. Pour in the prepared sauce, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and coats all ingredients evenly.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the stir fry if using, and serve immediately, ideally over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce to control salt levels and keep the dish balanced.
- Refined avocado oil is chosen for its high smoke point, ideal for stir frying at high heat.
- If preferred, substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast for a leaner option, but thighs provide more flavor and juiciness.
- Sambal Oelek adds a mild heat; adjust quantity based on your spice tolerance or substitute with another chili paste.
- For gluten-free version, ensure the soy sauce used is gluten-free tamari.
- To make it a complete one-pan meal, add cooked rice or noodles directly to the pan at the end to absorb the sauce.
