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Honey Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry - Sweet, Savory, and Weeknight Easy

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken: 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, thinly sliced
  • Vegetables: 2 cups broccoli florets, 1 red bell pepper (sliced), 1 medium carrot (thinly sliced), 1 cup sugar snap peas (optional), 3 green onions (sliced)
  • Aromatics: 4 cloves garlic (minced), 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional but recommended)
  • Sauce: 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • Thickener: 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
  • Oil: 1–2 tablespoons neutral oil (canola, avocado, or peanut)
  • Heat (optional): 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or 1 teaspoon sriracha
  • Garnishes: Sesame seeds, extra green onions
  • To serve: Cooked rice or noodles (jasmine rice or udon work well)
  • Salt and pepper: To taste

Method
 

  1. Prep the chicken: Slice chicken thinly against the grain. Pat dry with paper towels. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Stir together the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Taste and adjust—add more honey for sweetness or more vinegar for brightness.
  3. Make the cornstarch slurry: In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. Set nearby.
  4. Heat the pan: Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon oil and let it shimmer.
  5. Cook the chicken in batches: Add half the chicken in a single layer. Don’t crowd the pan. Sear 2–3 minutes per side until just cooked and lightly browned. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the rest, adding more oil if needed.
  6. Stir-fry the veggies: In the same pan, add broccoli, carrots, and bell pepper. Stir-fry 3–4 minutes until crisp-tender. Add snap peas and the white parts of the green onions and cook 1 minute more.
  7. Combine and sauce: Return chicken and any juices to the pan. Pour in the honey-garlic sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  8. Thicken: Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook 30–60 seconds, stirring, until the sauce turns glossy and clings to the chicken and vegetables. If it gets too thick, add a splash of water.
  9. Finish: Add red pepper flakes if using. Toss well. Taste and adjust seasoning—more soy for saltiness, more honey for sweetness, or a squeeze of lime for brightness.
  10. Serve: Top with sesame seeds and the green parts of the green onions. Spoon over warm rice or toss with noodles.