Description
This Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful weeknight meal featuring tender chicken thighs cooked to perfection with crisp vegetables and a sticky, sweet-savory honey garlic sauce. The dish combines a savory blend of soy sauce, honey, ginger, and a hint of heat from Sambal Oelek, making it a delightful one-pan meal that can be served over rice for a complete dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Sauce Ingredients
- 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 and Coating
- 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)
Cooking and Garnish
- 2 tablespoons refined avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: Whisk together low sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and Sambal Oelek in a bowl until well combined. Set the sauce aside for later use.
- Coat the chicken: Toss the chicken thigh pieces with cornstarch, kosher salt, and black pepper until fully and evenly coated. Set aside to let the coating adhere.
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat a sauté pan over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of refined avocado oil. Add the sliced red bell pepper, snap peas, and carrot slices. Cook while stirring frequently for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables start to brown and blister. Remove the vegetables from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan and adjust heat to maintain a hot surface without burning. Add the coated chicken pieces in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if needed. Sear the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and nicely browned.
- Combine and finish: Return the sautéed vegetables to the pan with the cooked chicken. Pour the prepared sauce over the mixture and stir well, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and everything is evenly coated.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish if desired. Serve the honey garlic chicken stir fry hot over steamed rice or your preferred grain for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use low sodium soy sauce to keep the dish from becoming too salty.
- Adjust the amount of Sambal Oelek to control the heat level according to your preference.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the soy sauce and cornstarch are gluten-free certified.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken to ensure proper browning and cooking.
- Refined avocado oil is used for its high smoke point; you can substitute with other neutral high-heat oils like canola or grapeseed oil.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
