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
Scale
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.
