Description
A quick and easy 15-minute weeknight dinner featuring crispy cornstarch-coated chicken thighs and tender zucchini in a savory-sweet glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (divided)
- 2 large medium zucchini, cut into half-moons or cubes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Pat chicken cubes dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- Sprinkle cornstarch over the chicken and toss until evenly coated.
- Whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a small bowl; set aside.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken in a single layer (do not crowd) and sear for 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook 2-3 more minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add remaining oil to the pan. Add zucchini and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened and colored.
- Add garlic and ginger; stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Return chicken to the pan and pour sauce over everything.
- Toss quickly to coat and cook for 1-2 minutes until sauce thickens and clings to ingredients.
- Serve immediately over rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds or green onions if desired.
Notes
Ensure chicken is patted completely dry before coating with cornstarch to achieve crispiness. Do not overcrowd the pan when searing chicken, as this causes steaming instead of frying. Use fresh zucchini for best texture; frozen zucchini will release too much water. For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with pressed tofu.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1.5 cu
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: chicken zucchini stir fry, quick dinner, 15 minute meals, crispy chicken, healthy weeknight dinner, easy stir fry