Honey Sesame Chicken Stir Fry

Description

Honey Sesame Chicken Stir Fry is a quick and flavorful Asian-inspired dish that combines tender chicken pieces, colorful vegetables, and a sweet-savory sesame honey sauce. This dish balances the richness of honey and soy sauce with the nutty aroma of sesame seeds and the crunch of fresh veggies. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it comes together in under 30 minutes and pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles.

Ingredients For Honey Sesame Chicken Stir Fry

  • For the Chicken:

  • 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces

  • 2 tbsp cornstarch

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium preferred)

  • 1 tbsp sesame oil

  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for stir-frying)

For the Vegetables (use your favorites):

  • 1 cup broccoli florets

  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced

  • 1 carrot, julienned

  • ½ cup snap peas

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp ginger, grated

For the Honey Sesame Sauce:

  • ⅓ cup honey

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)

  • 1 tbsp hoisin sauce (optional, for depth)

  • ½ cup chicken broth

  • 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)

For Garnish:

  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

  • 2 stalks green onions, chopped

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, toss chicken with soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Let it sit for 10 minutes.

  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and stir-fry until golden brown and cooked through (about 5–6 minutes). Remove and set aside.

  3. Cook Vegetables: In the same pan, add garlic, ginger, and vegetables. Stir-fry for 3–4 minutes until crisp-tender.

  4. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, and chicken broth. Pour into the pan with vegetables.

  5. Thicken the Sauce: Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until sauce thickens (about 1–2 minutes).

  6. Combine: Return chicken to the pan, toss everything well to coat in sauce.

  7. Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve hot over rice or noodles.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for a juicier texture.

  • Toast sesame seeds beforehand to enhance nutty flavor.

  • If you like heat, add chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce.

  • Can substitute veggies based on season or availability.

Tips

  • Prep all veggies and sauce ingredients before starting (stir fry cooks fast!).

  • Keep heat high to maintain crisp vegetables.

  • Double the sauce if serving over noodles or rice to soak up more flavor.

  • For a healthier version, reduce honey slightly and increase vegetables.

Servings

  • Serves 4 people

  • Perfect as a main dish with rice or noodles.

Nutritional Info (per serving, approximate)

  • Calories: 340 kcal

  • Protein: 28 g

  • Carbohydrates: 32 g

  • Sugars: 15 g

  • Fat: 12 g

  • Fiber: 3 g

  • Sodium: 720 mg

Health Benefits

  • High Protein from chicken supports muscle growth and satiety.

  • Antioxidants & Vitamins from colorful vegetables (vitamin C, A, and K).

  • Healthy Fats from sesame oil and seeds aid in heart health.

  • Balanced Energy with lean protein, healthy fats, and natural carbs.

Q & A

Q1: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Cook chicken and veggies separately, store sauce in a jar, then stir-fry together when ready to serve.

Q2: Can I make it vegetarian?
Absolutely. Replace chicken with tofu or tempeh.

Q3: What can I serve it with?
Steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, fried rice, quinoa, or noodles.

Q4: How do I store leftovers?
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet for best texture.

Q5: Can I freeze it?
Yes, but freeze before adding the sauce for better results. Add sauce when reheating.

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