Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry: A Deliciously Easy Weeknight Meal

Craving a quick, flavorful, and healthy meal that’s sure to satisfy the whole family? Look no further than this incredibly delicious Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry! This recipe combines tender pieces of chicken with vibrant vegetables, all coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce that will leave you wanting more. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, and you can easily customize it with your favorite veggies and sides.

This recipe is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. You can adapt it to use different vegetables, proteins, and even noodle types, making it a staple in your weekly meal rotation. Plus, it comes together in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for those evenings when you need a quick and satisfying dinner on the table.

Why You’ll Love This Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Flavorful: The honey garlic sauce is a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
Versatile: Easily customizable with your favorite vegetables and protein.
Healthy: Packed with lean protein and plenty of vegetables.
Family-Friendly: A guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather the ingredients you’ll need. Don’t worry, most of these are pantry staples!

Chicken: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces. Chicken thighs will be more tender and flavorful due to higher fat content but breast meat is a healthier option.
Vegetables: A mix of your favorites! We recommend 1 bell pepper (any color), 1 cup broccoli florets, 1 cup sliced carrots, and ½ cup sliced snow peas. Other great options include zucchini, mushrooms, and baby corn.
Garlic: 4-5 cloves, minced. Freshly minced garlic is a must for the best flavor.
Honey: ¼ cup. Use a good quality honey for the best taste.
Soy Sauce: ¼ cup. Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness.
Rice Vinegar: 2 tablespoons. Adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness.
Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon. Provides a nutty aroma and flavor.
Cornstarch: 1 tablespoon. Used to thicken the sauce.
Ginger: 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional, but recommended for extra flavor).
Red Pepper Flakes: ¼ teaspoon (optional, for a touch of heat).
Cooking Oil: 2 tablespoons (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil).
Sesame Seeds and Chopped Green Onions: For garnish (optional).
Cooked Rice or Noodles: For serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to create a delicious Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry.

Prepare the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. This will help the chicken to brown nicely and the sauce to cling to it.
Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger (if using), and red pepper flakes (if using). Set aside.
Stir-Fry the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Stir-Fry the Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to the skillet. Add the vegetables and stir-fry until tender-crisp (about 5-7 minutes). Be careful not to overcook the vegetables, as they should still have a bit of crunch.
Combine Everything: Pour the honey garlic sauce over the vegetables and bring to a simmer. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
Add the Chicken Back: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.
Serve: Serve the Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry over cooked rice or noodles. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.

Tips for the Perfect Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

Here are a few tips to ensure your Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry turns out perfectly every time:

Use High Heat: Stir-frying is best done over high heat to ensure the ingredients cook quickly and evenly.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook the chicken and vegetables in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Overcrowding will lower the temperature of the pan and cause the ingredients to steam instead of stir-fry.
Prepare Ingredients in Advance: Having all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start cooking will make the process much smoother and faster. Chop the vegetables, mince the garlic, and measure out the sauce ingredients ahead of time.
Adjust the Sauce to Your Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes to suit your personal preferences.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and ginger will provide the best flavor for the sauce.
Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Overcooked chicken will be dry and tough. Cook it until it is just cooked through.
Use a wok or large skillet: A wok is ideal for stir-frying because of its shape, but a large skillet will also work.

Variations and Substitutions

One of the best things about this recipe is how easily you can customize it to your liking. Here are a few variations and substitutions you can try:

Protein: Substitute the chicken with shrimp, beef, pork, or tofu. For tofu, press it to remove excess water before stir-frying.
Vegetables: Use any vegetables you like! Some other great options include bok choy, snap peas, water chestnuts, and bamboo shoots.
Noodles: Serve over your favorite type of noodles, such as egg noodles, udon noodles, or soba noodles.
Spicy: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the sauce for extra heat.
Sweetness: Adjust the amount of honey to your preference. You can also use maple syrup as a substitute.
Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make the recipe gluten-free.
Sesame Oil Alternative: If you don’t have sesame oil, you can use another neutral oil like vegetable or canola oil. The flavor will be slightly different, but the dish will still be delicious.
Add Cashews or Peanuts: Add a handful of roasted cashews or peanuts for extra crunch and flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry is delicious served over cooked rice or noodles. You can also serve it with a side of steamed broccoli or a simple salad.

Rice: Fluffy white rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice are all great options.
Noodles: Egg noodles, udon noodles, or soba noodles pair well with the stir fry.
Sides: Steamed broccoli, a simple green salad, or a side of spring rolls are all great additions.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can easily prepare some components of this recipe in advance to save time on busy weeknights.

Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
Vegetables: Chop the vegetables and store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 24 hours.
Sauce: Whisk together the honey garlic sauce and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

When you’re ready to cook, simply follow the recipe instructions as written.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Leftover Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

To reheat, microwave until heated through, or reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed. Add a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

Detailed Recipe