• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Recipes
    • Easy Dinners
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Thai
    • Gluten-free
    • Vegetarian

Inquiring Chef

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Easy Dinners
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home > Recipes > Easy Dinners

    Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry

    Published: Oct 10, 2021 · Modified: Jan 26, 2023 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 30 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    12.2K shares
    stir fry over rice in a white bowl with chopsticks
    chicken stir fry over rice in a white bowl
    honey ginger chicken stir fry
    Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry

    Looking for a healthier takeout fake-out dinner that can be made in under 30 minutes? Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry is IT. Tender chicken, coated in sweet, savory, ginger sauce. Serve it with rice and a steamed broccoli for a meal that’s worthy of the regular dinner rotation. 

    chicken stir fry over rice in a white bowl with chopsticks

    The key to a great homemade takeout fake-out dinner is in the details. Fresh ginger and garlic make all the difference in transforming a simple from-scratch sauce into something special (like this noodle-based takeout fake-out, Hoisin Ginger Rice Noodles).

    I’m hungry just thinking about it. Let’s make Honey Ginger Chicken!

    chicken stir fry over rice in a white bowl

    How to Make Honey Ginger Chicken

    1. Make sauce. Combine all ingredients for the sauce. 
    2. Toss chicken with cornstarch. This recipe uses a good amount of cornstarch to insure that the sauce thickens. It may not all stick to the chicken, but give it a good stir to coat it as much as possible.
    3. Sear chicken. Sear chicken until golden brown.
    4. Add first part of sauce. Add 3 tablespoon of sauce until chicken is sticky and coated.
    5. Add second part of sauce. Add all remaining sauce and simmer for a few minutes until chicken is fully cooked.
    6. Finish and serve. Stir in green onions and serve!
    pouring honey into a metal measuring cup

    Ingredients

    • Chicken Breast - Use cubed chicken breast here. It also works with chicken thighs, shrimp, or extra-firm tofu. 
    • Cornstarch - Tossing the chicken with cornstarch before cooking not only helps it to brown nicely in the pan, but it thickens the sauce. 
    • Ginger and Garlic - The recipe will work without these, but they add so much flavor that I strongly encourage you to put in the couple of extra minutes it takes to prepare them. Be sure the ginger is very finely diced or grated before using it.
    • Toasted Sesame Oil - Look for this in the Asian / international aisle at the grocery store. It should be dark in color.
    • White Sesame Seeds - Stir these into the sauce to give it some texture. Feel free to sprinkle some on top of the finished stir-fry as well for some color. 
    • Honey, Soy Sauce, Ketchup - Pantry staples you’ll need to make the sauce.
    • Green Onions - These add fresh flavor and color when stirred into the dish at the end of cooking. 
    adding sauce to the chicken in a wok

    Add Sauce in Two Parts

    When I was testing this recipe, my goal was to find a balance between chicken that is really coated in a sticky glaze of sauce and still has plenty of liquid sauce remaining in the pan to spoon over rice. The key is to add the sauce in two additions. The first small portion of sauce reduces down and completely coats the chicken. The second larger portion cooks for just a couple of minutes so it doesn’t get quite as thick. The result mimics the sticky, saucy consistency of a great takeout stir-fry. 

    tossing sauce with chicken in a wok

    Possible Variations

    • Make it vegetarian - Use cubed extra-firm tofu instead of chicken. 
    • Add vegetables - Stir some steamed broccoli, diced bell peppers, or chopped steamed green beans into the dish. 
    • Make it gluten-free - Use gluten-free Tamari in place of the soy sauce to easily make this recipe gluten-free. 
    chicken tossed with sauce in a wok

    More Chicken Stir-Fry Recipes

    • 20-Minute Chicken Ramen Stir-Fry
    • Honey Garlic Chicken Fried Rice
    • Sesame Garlic Ramen Stir-Fry
    • Tofu Stir-Fry with Asparagus and Cashews
    • Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir-Fry

    Favorite Tools

    • Anchor 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowls 
    • Whisk
    • 6-inch Global Knife
    • Cutting Board 
    • Joyce Chen Carbon Steel Wok 
    • Wok Spatula
    stir fry over rice in a white bowl
    stir fry over rice in a white bowl with chopsticks
    Print Recipe
    4.27 from 61 votes

    Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe

    Looking for a healthier takeout fake-out dinner that can be made in under 30 minutes? Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry is IT. Tender chicken, coated in sweet, savory, ginger sauce. Serve it with rice and a steamed broccoli for a meal that’s worthy of the regular dinner rotation. 
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Main Dish
    Cuisine: Asian
    Keyword: Chicken Recipe, fakeout takeout, stir fry
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 416kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $9.00

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowl
    • Wok or Large Skillet

    Ingredients

    For the Sesame Sauce:

    • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Ginger, very finely diced (see note)
    • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
    • ¼ cup Honey
    • ⅓ cup Low-Sodium Soy Sauce (sub Tamari for a gluten-free version)
    • 3 Tablespoons Ketchup
    • 2 teaspoons Toasted Sesame Oil
    • 1 teaspoon White Sesame Seeds, plus more for topping

    For the Stir-Fry:

    • 1 ½ pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
    • 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
    • 3 Tablespoons Cooking Oil
    • 2 stalks Green Onions, chopped, plus more for topping

    Instructions

    • Make sauce by whisking together garlic, ginger, honey, soy sauce, ketchup, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Set aside.
    • Toss chicken with cornstarch until evenly coated.
    • In a wok or large skillet, heat cooking oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and let cook for a moment without stirring until browned on the bottom, 3 to 5 minutes.
    • Give the chicken a stir and pour in about 3 tablespoon of sauce (it doesn’t have to be super precise, so you can just estimate it by tipping in about a quarter of the sauce). Cook chicken in sauce, stirring frequently until chicken is well coated and looks sticky with sauce.
    • Pour in the remaining sauce and bring to a simmer. Simmer until the sauce reduces slightly and chicken is cooked, 4 to 5 minutes more.
    • Stir in the 2 stalks of green onions.
    • Serve chicken over rice with some more sesame seeds and green onions on top.

    Notes

    Fresh Ginger - Peel the ginger first. Then be sure to dice the ginger very small so that you don’t have large pieces of it in the sauce. You can also grate the ginger, but reduce the amount to about 1 ½ teaspoon if you opt to grate it. 
    Sesame Oil - Look for 100% Pure Sesame Oil for this recipe - it should be dark in color and likely be produced in Japan or China.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 416kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 1010mg | Potassium: 731mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 169IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

    Related

    « 10 Weeknight-Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes
    Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers with Couscous and Feta »
    12.2K shares

    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alex

      January 25, 2021 at 8:57 pm

      5 stars
      I made this tonight! It had a real depth of flavor to it and it was so easy. I really liked how the chicken really felt and tasted like take out. Your directions on how to cook the meat in steps was very helpful. My hubby absolutely loved it. I added some broccolini from our garden too.

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        January 26, 2021 at 7:00 am

        So glad you liked it Alex!! (I'm jealous of your garden-fresh broccolini!)

        Reply
    2. Maiesha

      April 01, 2021 at 1:41 am

      4 stars
      Just made for dinner tonight. I like how the cornstarch keeps the chicken nice and moist. I enjoyed how the flavors melded together and it was super simple to make. The presentation was just as good as the taste. I have not been out to eat since my birthday last Christmas. Trying to eat at home 99.9% of the time. Will keep on standby for lazy days (everyday is a lazy day).

      Reply
    3. Marc

      June 27, 2021 at 10:37 am

      5 stars
      Made this at the weekend and it was absolutely amazing! I added two chillies to the sauce for a little bit of kick as well. The sauce is so clean tasting and really has that fake-out vibes I was after.

      Do you think it's possible to make a batch of the sauce, freeze it and it would be okay?

      Keep up the great work-your recipes are fantastic! 😀

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        July 03, 2021 at 8:48 am

        Thanks so much for the kind note. Yes! The sauce freezes well! I freeze sauces like this in small 8 oz mason jars (leaving a good amount of headspace) and they're so easy to defrost in the microwave for really quick weeknight meals.

        Reply
    4. Kathy

      July 16, 2021 at 5:34 pm

      4 stars
      Can you recommend any substitutions for Ketchup?

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        July 19, 2021 at 2:58 pm

        Try using tomato paste that has been thinned with a small amount of water. You'll still get the same texture, color, and flavor, though it will have slightly less sweetness.

        Reply
    5. Jessica

      October 28, 2021 at 4:57 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is AWESOME. I think the two-step sauce instruction made all the difference in making it taste like it really could have come from an actual Chinese restaurant. We all loved it. The only change I made was to add a little extra honey because the sauce seemed slightly bitter.

      This is DEFINITELY going into the recipe rotation!

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        October 29, 2021 at 9:08 am

        So glad your family enjoyed it as much as our family does!

        Reply
    6. karen

      January 03, 2022 at 7:17 pm

      my husband and two sons each said that it was very good... write it down. At our house ,when we write it down... it's a keeper! Thank you for the great recipe. It was very tasty and quite simple to make. Your directions were easy to follow and the meal was better than take out.

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        January 05, 2022 at 9:34 am

        Love that!

        Reply
    7. Damali

      March 04, 2022 at 3:25 pm

      Seriously!!!! This is an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING meal! I’m scanning to see how long the sauce would last in the refrigerator. It is sooooooo good! I’ve been sharing it with EVERYONE! 🥰

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        March 04, 2022 at 6:05 pm

        Yay! So glad to hear this! Thanks so much for the kind note. The sauce will definitely be fine for 5 days in the fridge.

        Reply
    8. Susan

      March 07, 2022 at 12:15 pm

      Absolute lovely! Love the ginger flavor which is so subtle. Family very pleased

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        March 08, 2022 at 8:26 am

        So happy to hear this!

        Reply
    9. Lee

      May 23, 2022 at 5:49 am

      Amazing!!
      This site is always my go to for meals. Great recipes!
      Is a physical cookbook in the pipeline? My kitchen needs it

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        May 23, 2022 at 11:25 am

        There might be!! 😉 We'll have news on that later this year, but I'm so glad you enjoyed this!

        Reply
    10. Pete

      June 09, 2022 at 1:13 am

      5 stars
      Very tasty and easy to put together. Excellent.

      Reply
    11. janna p

      September 03, 2022 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      my husband and i love this recipe! so quick and easy but flavorful and feels healthy.

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        September 06, 2022 at 7:46 pm

        I'm so glad you like it as much as we do!

        Reply
    12. Patti Emmons

      September 12, 2022 at 3:14 pm

      I printed the recipe to try it tonight. I’ve read through it several times and in the ingredients, it calls for 3 T cooking oil, “divided”. I’m unclear why divided because it says nothing about the other half of divided oil? I’m always nervous trying a new recipe so want to be sure I understand the divided part and when do you use the other half?🤷🏼‍♀️

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        September 12, 2022 at 3:22 pm

        Patti - you are absolutely right! That is an error on our part, and we have updated the recipe. The oil does not need to be divided. You will use it all at one time to fry the chicken. Thank you for catching that and sending us a note.

        Reply
    13. Liz

      November 11, 2022 at 9:00 pm

      5 stars
      I had all the ingredients on hand, this was so simple to make and delicious! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        November 13, 2022 at 8:18 am

        Thanks Liz! So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    14. Jessica P

      November 29, 2022 at 12:52 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is delicious and so easy to make! It will definitely be a staple in our household now.

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        November 29, 2022 at 5:40 pm

        That's great to hear! So glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    15. V

      December 05, 2022 at 6:22 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing recipe. Whole family enjoyed it including the kids. Will be saving this. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        December 06, 2022 at 11:20 am

        So glad you liked it! Thank you for your review!

        Reply
    16. Kiana

      January 20, 2023 at 6:02 am

      This looks delicious! Can I use ground ginger if I can't get fresh ginger?

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        January 21, 2023 at 2:56 pm

        Absolutely! It won't have quite the same flavor as fresh, but it will definitely work.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Welcome! We're Jess and Frank. Since 2010, we have been serving up easy, original recipes here on Inquiring Chef.

    More about us →

    Latest Recipes

    • Cashew Cream Sauce
    • Vegetable and Rice Stuffed Peppers
    • Lasagna Bolognese
    • Falafel Sandwich

    Trending Recipes

    • Crispy and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
    • Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
    • Mason Jar Overnight Oats
    • Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir-Fry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest

    Contact

    • Email Us

    Copyright © 2023 Inquiring Chef