Chinese Garlic Chicken
We’ve got another Chinese takeout fakeout for you. Our take on Chinese Garlic Chicken will be ready in less time than order and delivery takes at your favorite restaurant.
Chinese Garlic Chicken is so easy that my kids make it themselves all the time. The other reason they make it themselves is because it is so so so tasty! It’s ready in under 20 minutes, which is quicker than going for take out, and it tastes better too.
Scroll down to learn more about it or click here to jump straight down to the recipe.
Video: How To Make Chinese Garlic Chicken:
The Garlic Sauce
The garlic sauce looks pretty unassuming when you mix it up. But when it hits the hot pan, you’ll see how it starts to get thick and sticky like a real Chinese chicken sauce. What’s the secret? The cornstarch helps thicken it and gives it that classic consistency. Don’t skip it or the sauce definitely won’t thicken as it’s supposed to.
Are you obsessed with garlicky chicken? Try this Garlic Butter Chicken recipe or our Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe.
Type Of Chicken To Use
We opted for boneless, skinless chicken breast in this recipe, but boneless skinless chicken thighs also work well. The sauce cooks quickly, so be sure to cut the chicken into small, one-inch pieces that are fairly uniform so it finishes cooking at the same time as the garlic sauce.
Cooked Chicken: Yes, you can use already cooked chicken in this recipe, like leftover cubed chicken, shredded chicken, or diced rotisserie chicken. You’ll still add it at the same point in the recipe below, but it will cook in the sauce for 2 less minutes. You’re just heating the chicken through and allowing the sauce to thicken.
Garnish with some sesame seeds and sliced green onion for a little crunch and color and serve this classic over rice.
More Great Chicken Recipes
Chicken is always such a great option for a quick dinner. We have a collection of over 70 chicken recipes over here for you to choose from. And here are some reader favorites:
Podcast Episode: Making Chinese Garlic Chicken
Listen to our editor-in-chief, Christine Pittman, explain briefly about how to make this tasty Chinese Garlic Chicken recipe, with some great tips along the way, by clicking the play button below:
Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.
PrintChinese Garlic Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Entrée
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
DESCRIPTION
This is one of my go-to dinners when I need something fast but crave big flavor. It’s a Chinese-style garlic chicken that comes together in about 20 minutes from start to finish, all in one pan. I love making it when there’s leftover rice or farro in the fridge. I pile the chicken on top and throw together a quick side, like cucumbers with a ginger vinaigrette or some steamed broccoli. Dinner’s done with almost no fuss. Enjoy!
– Christine
Ingredients
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp. sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp. honey
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 lb. chicken breast*, cut into 1″ pieces
- 1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
- 1 green onion, sliced (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Whisk together minced garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat.
- Add the chicken and the garlic mixture to the pan and stir fry, stirring frequently, until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion, if desired.
Love this recipe? I’d appreciate it if you could scroll down and add a *5 star rating* to help others know they’ll love it as well!
Notes
*A pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead, also cut into 1″ pieces.
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This post originally appeared in March 2019 and was revised and republished in August 2022.
This tasted PHENOMENAL. I was actually shocked at how much I enjoyed this. And the amount of effort it takes? Perfect. And it’s not a messy dish that creates a disaster either. This will most definitely be joining my regular rotation of meals.
Thank you so much, Stacie! I’m glad it gave you a delicious and easy meal.
Really tastey
Thank you, Chris!
I’ve always wondered how they did this. Does the recipie change if I add the bamboo shoots the restaurant uses?
You can just add your bamboo shoots in the last minute or two of cooking. Enjoy, Anastasia!
A really quick yet yummy dinner. Served with plain rice & chilli oil drizzled over
I marinaded the chicken in 1.5 teaspoons of baking soda – then rinsed off after 10min – to keep the chicken tender.
Thank you, Yasmin! Love the idea of some chili oil on top.
This is delicious! I could have gone for more garlic but that’s just my preference. I added lots of black pepper too. Mmmmm :). Made with steamed broccoli and jasmine rice
Sarah, I’m so happy to hear that you liked it so much. I’ll tell you that I add extra garlic too. I mean, it already calls for a lot, but I always want more. I sometimes add extra honey too. I’m going to try it with extra black pepper next time. Great idea!
My family loved it!! I did add broccoli and it was delicious. Thank you for sharing your recipe with us.
Sherry, I’m so happy you all loved it. That’s great to hear! Thanks for coming back to let me know 🙂
Our family loves this recipe! So simple and so much flavor. We are gluten free so we use tamari sauce instead of soy sauce and it’s still an excellent dish! My favorite is how quickly it comes together for a week night meal.
Love to hear that easy substitution, Heidi! So glad your family enjoys this one.
This was super easy and really delicious. Added a small splash of fish sauce and a pinch of cayenne. Easy peasy and delicious.
Thanks for sharing your additions, Ruba! I’m so glad you loved the recipe. If you have a moment, I’d really appreciate you adding a 5 star rating which helps others find this recipe too. Thank you!
Delicious recipe, easy to change up for variety. For instance, I like making this with fresh ginger added too. One downside, the recipe is easy and delicious and this has my husband requesting the dish with annoying frequency. XD
lol! That’s so great! I’m so happy you both like it. I’m going to try it with fresh ginger next time. Great idea! Thanks for coming back to leave a comment and rating. I appreciate it!
Wow! Simple and delicious! I wanted to add some veggies to the dish so I sautéed half a cut up zucchini and several good sized sliced portabello mushrooms til soft then added the chicken and sauce til done.
Thank you for this wonderful dish!
Sounds delicious, Andrea! Thanks for sharing your additions with us.
I really like this recipe. Easy to prepare with common ingredients.
Delicious!
Thank you so much, Sandy! I’m glad you enjoyed.