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Sweet Sesame Chicken Stir Fry Recipe Noodles

Sweet Sesame Chicken Stir Fry

A quick and flavorful weeknight meal, this stir-fry features tender chicken and crisp vegetables coated in a glossy, sweet, and savory sesame sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Calories: 430

Ingredients
  

  • 600 g skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into 2-3cm pieces
  • 1 tbsp cornflour
  • 2 tbsp vegetable or rapeseed oil divided
  • 1 large head of broccoli about 300g, cut into small florets
  • 1 red bell pepper deseeded and sliced
  • 4 spring onions sliced, whites and greens separated
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 2 cm piece of fresh ginger peeled and grated
For the Sauce
  • 80 ml low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp cornflour
For Garnish
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • Fresh coriander optional

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of cornflour, salt, and a pinch of black pepper until evenly coated. Set aside.
  2. Mix the Sauce: In a small bowl or jug, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, honey, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, and the teaspoon of cornflour. Ensure the cornflour is fully dissolved to avoid lumps. Set this near your hob.
  3. Sear the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large wok or frying pan over a medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the chicken in a single layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. What works best for me is not moving it too much initially to get a good sear. Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
  4. Sauté the Aromatics: Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same pan. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger, and the white parts of the spring onions. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let the garlic burn.
  5. Cook the Vegetables: Add the broccoli florets and sliced red pepper to the pan. Stir-fry for 4-5 minutes. The broccoli should be bright green and tender-crisp. If the pan seems dry, you can add a tablespoon of water to help steam the vegetables slightly.
  6. Combine and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables. Give the sauce a quick re-whisk and pour it all over everything in the pan.
  7. Thicken the Sauce: Stir everything together continuously for 1-2 minutes. The sauce will bubble and thicken into a beautiful, glossy glaze that coats the chicken and vegetables. This happens quite quickly thanks to the cornflour.
  8. Finish and Serve: Turn off the heat. Stir in the green parts of the spring onions and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately over fluffy basmati rice or noodles.

Notes

Serve immediately over fluffy basmati rice or noodles for a complete meal. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.