Honey Sesame Chicken Stir Fry is a vibrant and flavorful dish with tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. This easy-to-make stir fry is perfect for busy weeknights and is packed with protein, veggies, and irresistible flavors. Serve it with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Honey Sesame Chicken Stir Fry is a great balance of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy flavors. The combination of honey, sesame oil, and soy sauce creates a deliciously sticky sauce that coats the chicken and vegetables. The sesame seeds add a nice crunch, while the stir-fried green beans and bell peppers provide freshness and texture. It’s a healthy, satisfying meal that’s ready in just 35 minutes!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size strips
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp cornstarch
2 tbsp butter with olive oil and sea salt (divided)
For the Veggies:
2 cups fresh green beans, trimmed
1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp minced ginger
1 tsp sesame seeds
For the Sauce:
½ cup chicken broth
3 tbsp honey
1 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp rice vinegar
¼ cup soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp cornstarch
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
Prep the Chicken:
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In a bowl, combine the chicken breast strips, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and 1 tbsp cornstarch. Stir to coat and set aside.
Cook the Veggies:
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Heat a large non-stick pan or wok over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp of butter with olive oil and sea salt.
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Toss in the green beans and stir-fry until the beans are tender and slightly charred, about 5 minutes.
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Add the yellow bell pepper strips and cook for an additional 3 minutes, until tender.
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Transfer the veggies to a plate and set aside.
Cook the Chicken:
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In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tbsp butter with olive oil and sea salt, along with 1 tsp sesame oil.
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Add the chicken breast strips and cook on all sides until browned and cooked through.
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Transfer the chicken to the plate with the veggies and keep warm.
Make the Sauce:
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In a small dish, combine the chicken broth, honey, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (optional). Whisk to combine.
Cook the Sauce:
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Return the wok to the stove over medium heat.
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Add the minced garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
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Pour in the sauce mixture, reserving about 2 tbsp of the sauce. Let the sauce simmer for about 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.
Thicken the Sauce:
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In the reserved 2 tbsp of sauce, whisk in 2 tbsp cornstarch to combine.
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Add this to the simmering sauce and stir until the sauce thickens.
Combine Everything:
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Add the chicken and veggies back to the wok and stir to coat them in the sauce.
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Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and serve hot.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Variations
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Add more vegetables: You can add other vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, or snap peas to make the stir fry even more colorful and nutritious.
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Use a different protein: Swap the chicken for beef, shrimp, or tofu for a different flavor profile.
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Make it spicier: Add more red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha sauce to increase the heat.
Storage/Reheating
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Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
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Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop. If the sauce thickens, add a splash of water or chicken broth to loosen it up.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta?
Yes, feel free to use any short pasta, like penne, bowtie, or spaghetti, instead of rotini.
Can I make this stir fry ahead of time?
While this stir fry is best enjoyed fresh, you can prep the ingredients ahead of time (like chopping veggies, cutting the chicken, and making the sauce) to make the cooking process quicker.
Can I use low-sodium soy sauce?
Yes, you can use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce the salt content. You may need to adjust the seasonings accordingly.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes, you can freeze leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stove.
Conclusion
Honey Sesame Chicken Stir Fry is the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and umami flavors. It’s quick, easy, and packed with healthy ingredients like lean chicken, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful sesame sauce. Whether you serve it with noodles or rice, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation. Enjoy every bite of this comforting stir fry!
Print
Honey Sesame Chicken Stir Fry
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: undefined
- Category: undefined
- Method: undefined
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Description
A delicious stir fry with tender chicken, crispy vegetables, and a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. A quick and easy meal that is full of flavor.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size strips
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- For the Stir Fry:
- 2 tbsp butter with olive oil and sea salt (divided)
- 2 cups fresh green beans, trimmed
- 1 yellow bell pepper, cut into strips
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- For the Sauce:
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken breast strips, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and 1 tbsp cornstarch. Stir to coat and set aside.
- Cook the Veggies: Heat a large non-stick pan or wok over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp of butter with olive oil and sea salt. Toss in the green beans and stir fry until the beans are tender and slightly charred, about 5 minutes. Add the yellow bell pepper strips and cook for an additional 3 minutes, until tender. Transfer the veggies to a plate and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tbsp butter with olive oil and sea salt along with 1 tsp sesame oil. Add the chicken breast strips and cook on all sides until browned and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to the plate with the veggies and keep warm.
- Make the Sauce: In a small dish, combine the chicken broth, honey, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (optional). Whisk to combine.
- Cook the Sauce: Return the wok to the stove over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the sauce mixture, reserving about 2 tbsp of the sauce. Let the sauce simmer for about 3 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.
- Thicken the Sauce: In the reserved 2 tbsp of sauce, whisk in 2 tbsp cornstarch to combine. Add this to the simmering sauce and stir until the sauce thickens.
- Combine Everything: Add the chicken and veggies back to the wok and stir to coat them in the sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and serve hot.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier version, increase the red pepper flakes or add some chopped chili peppers to the stir fry.
- Serve with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
- If you don’t have sesame oil, you can use olive oil as a substitute, though it will change the flavor slightly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 281
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg