If you’re craving a cozy weekday Chinese takeout moment but want something a little healthier (and faster!), this Sesame Ginger Chicken is it. Think tender, juicy chicken coated in a sweet-savory-tangy sticky sauce… all ready in about 15 minutes. It tastes restaurant-quality but is completely doable on even the busiest nights.

A pan of beautifully cooked sesame chicken glazed with stir fry sauce. It is garnished with sesame seeds and green onion.

This Sesame Ginger Chicken Will Steal Your Heart

This dish is one of those weeknight heroes that checks every box.
The warm nuttiness from sesame oil, the bright kick of fresh ginger, and the deep umami from soy sauce (or coconut aminos!) wrap around every bite of chicken for a perfectly balanced, flavor-packed meal.

It’s quick, simple, customizable, and kid-friendly. And if you marinate the chicken in the morning before heading out? Dinner almost cooks itself—your chicken will soak up all that flavor while you’re gone, then sear beautifully in minutes once you get home.

Plus, it freezes well and works great for meal prep. Win-win.

Ingredients to make sesame ginger chicken stir fry.

How to Make This Easy Sesame Ginger Chicken

First, we are going to mix together the sesame ginger marinade.

This sauce is one of my favorites. It is so versatile, I am using it for both marinating the chicken and the finishing stir fry sauce in this recipe.

Step by step instruction to make sesame ginger chicken stir fry - In a bowl or jar, mix together the ingredients for the sesame ginger marinade.
In a bowl or jar, mix together the ingredients for the sesame ginger marinade.
Step by step instruction to make sesame ginger chicken stir fry - Cut the chicken in the cubes and pour half of the marinade in.
Cut the chicken in the cubes and pour half of the marinade in.
Step by step instruction to make sesame ginger chicken stir fry - Combine well. Cover and let it sit for at least an hour to soak up all the flavors.
Combine well. Cover and let it sit for at least an hour to soak up all the flavors.
Step by step instruction to make sesame ginger chicken stir fry - Before cooking, add in starch.
Before cooking, add in starch.
Step by step instruction to make sesame ginger chicken stir fry - Work the starch in the chicken to make sure all the chicken pieces are coated.
Work the starch in the chicken to make sure all the chicken pieces are coated.

Now let’s start cooking!

Step by step instruction to make sesame ginger chicken stir fry - In a pan, heat neutral oil until shimmering, add in minced garlic and chopped green onion to sautte.
In a pan, heat neutral oil until shimmering, add in minced garlic and chopped green onion to sautte.
Step by step instruction to make sesame ginger chicken stir fry - Add in the marinated chicken cubes.
Add in the marinated chicken cubes.
Step by step instruction to make sesame ginger chicken stir fry - Let it sear on all sides to get the crispy brown exterior.
Let it sear on all sides to get the crispy brown exterior.
Step by step instruction to make sesame ginger chicken stir fry - Once the chicken is cooked through then pour in the rest of the sesame ginger sauce.
Once the chicken is cooked through then pour in the rest of the sesame ginger sauce.
Step by step instruction to make sesame ginger chicken stir fry - Stir in the starch mixture. Continue to stir as the sauce thickens.
Stir in the starch mixture. Continue to stir as the sauce thickens.
Step by step instruction to make sesame ginger chicken stir fry - Turn off the heat and garnish with sesame seeds and green onion.
Turn off the heat and garnish with sesame seeds and green onion.

Customize It (Make Your Palate Dance!)

Sriracha is a great way to up the heat factor in this dish. If you like spice like I do, a tablespoon or two or Sriracha in your marinade can really amp up the flavor.

Adding vegetables like crunchy snap peas, carrots, water chestnuts or bell peppers is a fun and easy way to incorporate more texture and color to your dish.

If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, try other proteins like salmon, tofu or shrimp! You can totally customize this meal to your preferences and taste. You never have to think inside the box!

A bowl of rice topped with beautifully cooked sesame chicken glazed with stir fry sauce. It is garnished with sesame seeds and green onion.

Make it a The Perfect Full Meal

Spoon this Sesame Ginger Chicken over a bed of fluffy white rice or quinoa. I have a really fun spin on fried rice that uses quinoa instead. You can find my Fried Rice With Quinoa recipe here.

Use lettuce wraps to add a fun crunch to your chicken as well! I love this option if I am looking to keep my meal gluten free and add some extra veggies on my plate.

Serving this sesame chicken over noodles is also a great way to stretch your meal and make it more filling. You can use gluten free or grain free noodles as well if you need a GF alternative.

Using a big bowl of salad as a base for your sesame ginger chicken is also a great idea! I love packing as much protein and greens as I can in a dish to get maximum satisfaction.

If you end up making this Sesame Ginger Chicken, I’d love to hear what you think! So don’t forget to come back, leave a comment, and let me know how it turned out for you!

Get the recipe:Sesame Ginger Chicken {20 Minutes}

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
The sweet, savory, slightly tangy sticky sauce smothering tender and juicy chicken is the perfect quick dinner for the whole family.
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 lb chicken thighs
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 stalk green onion, chopped small
  • 2 tbsp starch, divided

Sesame Ginger Dressing

  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 1.5 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger, freshly grated *
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1 stalk green onion, chopped small
  • 1/2 cup broth or water, OPTIONAL: if marinade is strong or you feel you need more liquid

Equipment

Instructions 

Making marinade

  • Peel the skin of ginger, grate it with cheese grate or lemon zester.
  • Mince the garlic. and thinly slice the green onion. Save some of the green part of the green onion for garnishing at the end.
  • In a jar, mix all the ingredients togehter.

Marinate and Cook

  • Cut the chicken thighs into cubes or strips. Place in a bowl and mix in half of the marinade, combine well. Cover and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  • When the chicken is done marinating. Save 1 tsp of the starch aside then mix in the rest of the starch in the chicken. Combine well to make sure the chicken are fully coated.
  • In a non-stick pan, heat up 2 – 3 tbsp of neutral cooking oil for 30 – 45 seconds. Once the oil is shimmering, add in garlic and green onion and quickly sautte for 30 seconds or until frgrant (the garlic browns and starts to burn fast so make sure you are watching clasely during this process)
  • Add in the chicken, spread across in the pan. Let each side sear for 1 – 2 minutes or until brown and get a crispy layer on them.
  • Mix the rest of the starch with 2 tbsp of filtered water (or broth). Whisk until no clump is left.
  • Once the chicken are cooked through (internal temperate 165F), add in the rest of the marinate.
  • Then swirl in the starch mixture. Stir to combine well. The sauce should become thick and sticky quickly. Turn off the heat and continue to gently stir to make sure the chicken cubes are coated in the sauce.
  • Garnish with additional sesame seeds and the green part of the onion.

Notes

*If you do not have fresh ginger, you can sue ground ginger instead.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days, or freeze in a zip-top bag for quick meals later. To reheat, simply warm on the stovetop or in the microwave. I love pulling a frozen bag out on busy nights—serve with rice and veggies and you’ve got dinner in minutes.

The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.

Author: Shuang Shuang Liang
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese