Zesty Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe for Busy Nights

Culinary magic happens when honey garlic chicken stir fry meets your kitchen skills.

Weeknight dinners rarely feel this exciting or effortless.

Sweet and savory notes dance together in a pan that promises deliciousness.

Nothing beats a quick meal packed with incredible flavor combinations.

Chinese-inspired dishes like these make home cooking feel like a restaurant experience.

Tender chicken pieces coated in a glossy sauce will have everyone requesting seconds.

Let you dive into this simple yet spectacular dinner that comes together faster than you can order takeout.

Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry with Big Flavor

• Combines sweet honey and savory garlic for a mouthwatering sauce that takes ordinary chicken to extraordinary heights, pleasing both kids and adults.
• Packed with protein from chicken and loaded with colorful vegetables, this dish offers a balanced meal that's both satisfying and health-conscious.
• Requires minimal cooking skills and basic ingredients, making it an excellent recipe for beginner cooks or anyone looking for a simple yet impressive dinner option.

What Goes Into This Quick Stir Fry

• Chicken: Tender protein base for the stir fry, boneless and skinless chicken breasts work best for even cooking and lean texture.

• Cornstarch: Helps create a crispy exterior on the chicken and thickens the sauce, look for a fine, smooth powder without lumps.

• Vegetable Oil: Essential for high-heat cooking and preventing sticking, neutral-flavored oils like canola or grapeseed are ideal.
• Garlic: Provides a robust, aromatic flavor foundation, fresh garlic cloves offer the most intense taste.
• Honey: Adds sweetness and helps create a glossy, caramelized coating for the chicken, pure honey works best.

• Soy Sauce: Brings umami and saltiness, low-sodium versions can help control overall salt content.
• Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty, authentic Asian flavor, use sparingly as it's quite potent.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional heat booster for those who enjoy a spicy kick.

• Green Onions: Provides fresh, mild onion flavor and bright color as a finishing touch, both green and white parts can be used.

How to Sauté Chicken with Honey Garlic Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Coating

In a mixing bowl, blend chicken pieces with cornstarch, ensuring each piece gets a smooth, even layer of coating. Use your hands or a spoon to gently toss the chicken, creating a light, protective dusting that will help seal in moisture and create a crispy exterior during cooking.

Step 2: Craft Flavor Sauce

• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Minced garlic
• Rice vinegar
• Red pepper flakes

Combine ingredients until they form a harmonious, glossy mixture that will infuse the chicken with rich, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors.

Step 3: Heat Cooking Surface

Place a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and allow it to shimmer, creating a hot surface that will quickly sear the chicken and lock in its juiciness.

Step 4: Cook Chicken Pieces

Carefully place coated chicken into the hot pan. Let each piece sizzle and develop a golden-brown crust, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking and preventing burning.

Step 5: Pour Flavor Sauce

When chicken looks nearly done, drizzle the prepared sauce over the pieces. Stir and toss to coat every morsel, allowing the sauce to caramelize and create a glossy, appetizing finish.

Step 6: Add Vegetables

• Broccoli florets
• Sliced bell peppers
• Chopped green onions

Stir-fry for an additional few minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp and heated through.

Step 7: Final Garnish

Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds or chopped herbs. Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles for a complete, satisfying meal.

Tips for Crisp Veggies and Glazed Chicken

• Cornstarch Coating Trick: Use a light, even dusting of cornstarch to create a crispy exterior that locks in moisture and helps the chicken brown beautifully during stir-frying.
• Slice Consistently: Cut chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and prevent some chunks from becoming overcooked or undercooked.
• High Heat Technique: Stir-fry on high heat to achieve that restaurant-style sear and prevent the chicken from steaming instead of developing a golden-brown crust.
• Sauce Balance Mastery: Adjust honey and garlic ratios to personalize the sweetness and intensity of flavor, keeping the sauce glossy and not too thick or thin.
• Vegetable Swap Option: Feel free to substitute or add different vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas to customize the stir-fry and boost nutritional value.

Store and Reheat Stir Fry Without Losing Crunch

• Store leftover honey garlic chicken stir fry in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and food safety.
• Warm the stir fry in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir gently until heated through and sauce regains its glossy texture.
• Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even warming and prevent hot spots.
• Consume reheated stir fry within 1-2 days for best taste and texture. Avoid repeated reheating to prevent loss of flavor and potential bacterial growth.

Best Sides for a Stir Fry Meal

• Pair the honey garlic chicken stir fry with a crisp, slightly sweet Riesling that complements the dish's sweet and savory profile, balancing the garlic's intensity.
• Serve a light, cool cucumber salad on the side to provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, saucy chicken, adding a crisp texture and palate-cleansing effect.
• Plate the stir fry over fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the delicious honey garlic sauce, creating a perfect base that enhances the dish's aromatic qualities.
• Choose a zesty Sauvignon Blanc with bright acidity to cut through the sweetness and richness of the chicken, creating a harmonious dining experience.

Honey Garlic Stir Fry Versions to Explore

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace cornstarch with arrowroot powder or potato starch to maintain the same coating texture while keeping the recipe gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Option: Swap chicken with firm tofu or tempeh cubes, using the same marinating and coating technique for a plant-based protein alternative.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Substitute cornstarch with almond flour or crushed pork rinds to reduce carbohydrate content while preserving the crispy chicken exterior.
• Dairy-Free Version: Ensure all ingredients are dairy-free and use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce for those with dairy sensitivities or allergies.

Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling honey garlic chicken stir fry delivers an irresistible dance of sweet and savory Asian-inspired flavors. Crispy chicken pieces glazed with golden honey and aromatic garlic promise a quick, delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

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

Vegetables:

• 2 cups (200 g) broccoli florets
• 1 bell pepper (red, yellow, or green), sliced
• 1 carrot, thinly sliced
• 1 cup (100 g) snap peas or snow peas
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Sauce and Coating Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
• Green onions (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly coat chicken with cornstarch, ensuring each piece is completely and evenly dusted, which helps create a crispy exterior during cooking.
2. Heat a large wok or skillet over high flame, allowing the surface to become extremely hot before adding oil to prevent sticking and promote proper searing.
3. Sauté chicken pieces in batches, creating a golden-brown crust by allowing each piece to rest undisturbed for several moments before gently turning.
4. Remove chicken and set aside, then quickly stir-fry minced garlic in the same pan until fragrant and lightly golden, releasing its aromatic essence.
5. Introduce sliced vegetables into the pan, tossing rapidly to maintain their vibrant color and crisp texture while preventing overcooking.
6. Combine honey, soy sauce, and additional seasonings in a small bowl, whisking to create a glossy, well-integrated sauce that will coat the ingredients.
7. Return chicken to the pan, drizzle the prepared sauce over the ingredients, and gently toss to ensure every morsel is thoroughly and evenly glazed.
8. Continue cooking for an additional minute or two, allowing the sauce to caramelize slightly and intensify the overall flavor profile of the dish.
9. Transfer the stir-fry to a serving platter, garnishing with optional chopped green onions or sesame seeds for added visual appeal and subtle crunch.

Notes

• Ensure chicken pieces are uniformly coated with cornstarch for a crispy, golden exterior that locks in moisture and creates a beautiful texture.
• Use high heat when stir-frying to achieve a quick sear that prevents chicken from becoming tough or rubbery, maintaining its tender juiciness.
• Slice chicken against the grain into similar-sized pieces to guarantee even cooking and consistent tenderness throughout the dish.
• Substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder for a gluten-free alternative that provides the same crispy coating and thickening properties.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg