Sesame Chicken Stir Fry with Fresh Vegetables and Garlic Ginger Sauce

Prep: 15 minCook: 15 min6 servingsmediumAsian Other
Sesame Chicken Stir Fry with Fresh Vegetables and Garlic Ginger Sauce

This vibrant stir fry combines tender chicken strips with crisp broccoli, bell peppers, snow peas, and onions in a savory-sweet sauce. The garlic-ginger base with soy sauce and brown sugar creates a balanced umami flavor, while toasted sesame seeds add a nutty finish. Perfect for busy weeknights when you want a complete meal that's both healthy and satisfying. The high-heat cooking method ensures vegetables stay tender-crisp while the chicken remains juicy, making this a restaurant-quality dish you can easily prepare at home.

Ingredients

6 servings
  • 1 can (14 1/2 oz) chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
    honey1:1sweetener

    liquid sweetener works well

    Full guide →
  • 1 ½ tsps McCormick garlic, minced
    garlic powder3 cloves = 1/2 tspconvenience

    use 1/2 teaspoon

    Full guide →
  • ¾ tsp McCormick ginger, ground
  • ¼ tsp McCormick red pepper, crushed
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
    chicken thighs1:1protein

    more flavorful and forgiving

    Full guide →
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup snow peas
    sugar snap peas1:1vegetable

    similar crunch and sweetness

  • 1 cup onion, sliced
  • 2 tsps McCormick Gourmet Organic sesame seed, toasted

Instructions

  1. 1

    Mix broth, cornstarch, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger and red pepper in small bowl until smooth and set aside

  2. 2

    Heat oil in large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat

  3. 3

    Add chicken in batches and stir fry for 5 minutes or until cooked through, then remove from skillet

  4. 4

    Add vegetables to skillet and stir fry for 3 minutes until tender-crisp

  5. 5

    Return chicken to skillet

  6. 6

    Stir soy sauce mixture and add to skillet, stirring constantly

  7. 7

    Bring to boil on medium heat and boil for 1 minute or until sauce is slightly thickened

  8. 8

    Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve

Tips

Tip 1

Cut chicken and vegetables into uniform sizes for even cooking and professional presentation

Tip 2

Have all ingredients prepped before starting since stir frying moves quickly and requires constant attention

Tip 3

Let the sauce come to a full boil to activate the cornstarch and achieve proper thickening

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days in airtight container

Make Ahead

Prep vegetables and cut chicken up to 1 day ahead, store separately

Serve With

Serve immediately over steamed rice or noodles while hot

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken to avoid steaming instead of searing

Watch

Stir the cornstarch mixture before adding to prevent lumps in the sauce

Substitutions

chicken breasts
chicken thighs1:1protein

more flavorful and forgiving

Full guide →
snow peas
sugar snap peas1:1vegetable

similar crunch and sweetness

Full guide →
brown sugar
honey1:1sweetener

liquid sweetener works well

Full guide →
fresh garlic
garlic powder3 cloves = 1/2 tspconvenience

use 1/2 teaspoon

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?

Yes, but add them directly from frozen and increase cooking time by 1-2 minutes. Thaw and drain excess water first for best texture.

What if I don't have sesame seeds?

You can omit them or substitute with toasted sliced almonds or chopped peanuts for a different but delicious nutty flavor.

How long will this keep in the refrigerator?

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or microwave until heated through.