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Quick Crispy Sesame Ginger Stir Fry

Quick Crispy Sesame Ginger Stir Fry - featured image

A fast, flavorful stir fry featuring crispy veggies, tender protein, and a nutty sesame-ginger sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or a quick homemade dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless chicken thighs or firm tofu, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium carrot, julienned or thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes or sriracha (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
  • Optional: sliced green onions for garnish
  • Optional: cooked jasmine or brown rice, to serve

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: rinse and chop broccoli, slice bell pepper and carrot, mince garlic, grate ginger, and cut chicken or tofu into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Make the sauce: whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, chili flakes (if using), and cornstarch slurry in a small bowl. Set aside.
  3. Heat the pan: place skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  4. Cook the protein: add chicken or tofu in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to develop a golden crust, then stir occasionally until cooked through and crispy on edges (chicken internal temp 165°F).
  5. Sauté aromatics: push protein to one side, add remaining sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Stir quickly until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  6. Add vegetables: toss in broccoli, bell pepper, and carrot. Stir-fry until tender-crisp and vibrant, about 5 minutes. Lower heat if veggies start burning.
  7. Combine sauce and finish: pour sauce over stir fry and toss to coat. Sauce will thicken quickly; add a splash of water if too thick.
  8. Garnish and serve: remove from heat, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top. Serve immediately over cooked rice or noodles.

Notes

Pat protein and veggies dry before cooking to ensure crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the pan; cook in batches if needed. Use toasted sesame oil for best flavor. If sauce thickens too fast, add a teaspoon of water to loosen. Keep heat high but controlled to avoid burning garlic and veggies.

Nutrition

Keywords: stir fry, sesame ginger, quick dinner, crispy vegetables, chicken stir fry, tofu stir fry, easy recipe, weeknight meal