Sesame Soy Chicken Stir Fry (Printable View)

Tender chicken and crisp vegetables in savory sesame-soy sauce, ready in 30 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced thinly

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
03 - 1 cup broccoli florets
04 - 1 carrot, julienned
05 - 1 cup snap peas, trimmed
06 - 2 green onions, sliced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced

→ Sauce

09 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)
10 - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
11 - 1 tablespoon honey
12 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
13 - 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water)
14 - 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili sauce (optional)

→ Garnish

15 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
16 - Fresh cilantro or green onion tops (optional)

→ For cooking

17 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

# How-To Steps:

01 - Whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, cornstarch-water mixture, and sriracha (if using) in a small bowl. Set aside.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken breast and stir fry until cooked through and lightly golden, about 4–5 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
03 - Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the pan. Add garlic, ginger, and all vegetables except green onions. Stir fry for 3–4 minutes, until veggies are crisp-tender.
04 - Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Pour in the sauce and toss everything to coat. Stir fry for another 2–3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened and everything is well combined. Add green onions.
05 - Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds and cilantro or extra green onion tops if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in seconds but tastes like it simmered for hours
  • Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup is basically nonexistent
  • You can swap whatever vegetables are wilting in your crisper drawer
02 -
  • Cornstarch needs to be whisked into cold liquid first or it will clump instantly when it hits the hot pan
  • Do not overcrowd the pan or the vegetables will steam instead of stir fry
  • Sesame oil is a finishing oil not a cooking oil so save it for the sauce not the initial heating
03 -
  • Cut all your vegetables before you start cooking because stir frying happens fast
  • Preheat your pan until it is properly hot before adding oil for better searing