Quick Savory Sesame Ginger Chicken
A fast and flavorful chicken dish featuring toasted sesame and fresh ginger, perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep. Ready in under 20 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 green onions, sliced thinly
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional)
- 1–2 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 5 minutes.
- Heat a small dry skillet over medium heat. Add sesame seeds and stir constantly until golden and fragrant. Remove immediately and set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade) and add pieces in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes to sear, then stir and cook another 4-5 minutes until cooked through and caramelized.
- Pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan. If thicker sauce is desired, mix cornstarch with cold water and stir into marinade. Simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until slightly thickened.
- Pour thickened sauce over cooked chicken and toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.
- Serve immediately over steamed rice, noodles, or greens.
Notes
Marinate chicken for at least 5 minutes for best flavor. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure proper searing. Toast sesame seeds carefully to prevent burning. Cornstarch slurry is optional for thicker sauce. Fresh ginger and garlic are recommended for best flavor. Can substitute tamari for soy sauce to make gluten-free and maple syrup for honey to make vegan with plant-based protein.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 25
Keywords: sesame chicken, ginger chicken, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight meal, savory chicken, sesame ginger sauce