This Chicken and Green Onion Stir-Fry is a quick, flavorful, and healthy dish featuring tender chicken, crisp green onions, and a savory garlic-ginger sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this stir-fry pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or even a side of steamed vegetables.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast & Easy – Ready in just 20 minutes!
- Savory & Aromatic – A garlicky, ginger-infused sauce with a touch of sweetness.
- Healthy & Light – A protein-packed meal with fresh green onions.
- Versatile – Serve with rice, noodles, or enjoy on its own.
- Customizable – Add veggies, adjust spice levels, or switch up the protein.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Chicken:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (sliced into thin strips)
- Cornstarch (for coating)
- Salt and black pepper
- Vegetable oil or sesame oil
For the Stir-Fry Sauce:
- Soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- Oyster sauce (adds depth)
- Hoisin sauce (for a slight sweetness)
- Rice vinegar (for balance)
- Honey or brown sugar
- Garlic, minced
- Ginger, grated
- Red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- Chicken broth or water (to adjust consistency)
For the Stir-Fry:
- Green onions (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- Cooked rice or noodles (for serving)
Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Coat the Chicken – In a bowl, toss the sliced chicken with cornstarch, salt, and pepper. This helps create a light, crispy texture.
Step 2: Make the Stir-Fry Sauce
- Mix the Sauce – In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, ginger, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
- Heat the Oil – In a wok or skillet, heat vegetable or sesame oil over medium-high heat.
- Sear the Chicken – Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Stir-Fry the Green Onions
- Add Green Onions – In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed and stir-fry the green onions for 1-2 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp.
Step 5: Combine Everything
- Return Chicken to the Pan – Add the cooked chicken back to the pan.
- Pour in the Sauce – Stir well and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
- Garnish & Serve – Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot with rice or noodles.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Version – Add extra red pepper flakes or a splash of sriracha.
- Vegetable Additions – Toss in bell peppers, mushrooms, or snap peas.
- Low-Carb Option – Serve over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.
- Different Protein – Use shrimp, beef, or tofu instead of chicken.
- Crispy Chicken – Lightly fry the cornstarch-coated chicken for extra crunch.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water or broth.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Thighs are juicier and work great in this stir-fry.
What’s the best way to get a crispy texture on the chicken?
Coating with cornstarch and cooking over high heat helps create a light crust.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes! Use tamari instead of soy sauce and a gluten-free oyster sauce.
Do I need a wok for this recipe?
No, a large skillet works just fine!
Can I use dried ginger instead of fresh?
Yes, but fresh ginger gives the best flavor. If using dried, use ½ teaspoon.
What should I serve with this stir-fry?
Steamed rice, fried rice, or noodles all pair well.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Cook everything and store it in the fridge for quick meals.
How do I thicken the sauce more?
Add a cornstarch slurry (1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water) and stir until thickened.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, but thaw it first for even cooking.
What oil is best for stir-frying?
Vegetable, sesame, or avocado oil work best for high-heat cooking.
Conclusion
This Chicken and Green Onion Stir-Fry is a quick, easy, and flavorful dish that brings together juicy chicken, fresh green onions, and a delicious savory sauce. Perfect for weeknights, it’s versatile, healthy, and sure to become a family favorite. Serve it over rice or noodles for a satisfying meal!
PrintChicken and Green Onion Stir-Fry
This simple yet delicious stir-fry features tender chicken, crisp green onions, and a savory garlic-ginger sauce. It’s a perfect weeknight meal that pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Stir-Fry
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breast (or thighs), thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional, for extra flavor)
For the Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon hoisin sauce (optional, for a hint of sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ¼ cup chicken broth (or water)
For the Stir-Fry:
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
- 1 bunch green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
- ½ red bell pepper, sliced (optional, for color)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix the chicken slices with soy sauce, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and sesame oil. Let marinate for 10-15 minutes while you prepare the sauce.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth. Set aside.
Step 3: Stir-Fry the Chicken
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the marinated chicken and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Step 4: Cook the Aromatics & Veggies
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Stir-fry garlic and ginger for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Toss in the green onions and red bell pepper, stirring for 1-2 minutes until slightly softened but still crisp.
Step 5: Combine & Finish
- Return the chicken to the pan and pour in the sauce. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until everything is well coated and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve hot over steamed rice or noodles!
Notes
- Want it crispier? Lightly coat the chicken in extra cornstarch before cooking.
- Extra Veggies? Add snap peas, broccoli, or carrots for more color and crunch.
- Make it spicy! Increase red pepper flakes or drizzle with sriracha.
- Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium soy sauce and reduce the oyster sauce.