3 Shares

Chicken with Garlic Sauce is a bold and savory stir-fry dish packed with flavor. Featuring tender chicken, wood-ear mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and a fragrant garlic-chili sauce, it’s a delicious and satisfying meal that comes together quickly — perfect for weeknight dinners.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken

10 oz. chicken breast (280g; thinly sliced)
A pinch of salt
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon oil

For the Sauce

1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 cup chicken broth (or water)

Additional Ingredients

2 tablespoons oil
12 dried red chilies
1 teaspoon ginger, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small winter bamboo shoot (peeled, thinly sliced, then julienned)
1 cup reconstituted dried wood-ear mushrooms, julienned
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons chili oil (optional)
2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
1 scallion, sliced on an angle

Directions

Marinate the chicken with salt, cornstarch, and oil. Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, rice vinegar, Shaoxing wine, sugar, and chicken broth to make the sauce.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a wok over medium heat. Add dried chilies, ginger, and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
Increase heat to high. Add chicken and stir-fry until opaque.
Add bamboo shoots, wood-ear mushrooms, and bell pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes.
Pour in the prepared sauce. Stir and bring to a boil.
Add salt (to taste), optional chili oil, and the cornstarch slurry. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until sauce thickens.
Toss in scallions, give everything a final mix, and serve hot with rice.

Nutrients (per serving)

Calories: 233 kcal
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Protein: 18 g
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 45 mg
Sodium: 497 mg
Potassium: 455 mg
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 5 g
Vitamin A: 915 IU
Vitamin C: 22.1 mg
Calcium: 8 mg
Iron: 0.7 mg

The Bold Flavor of Garlic

As the name suggests, garlic is the star of this dish. When sautéed properly, garlic develops a nutty, fragrant profile that infuses the entire stir-fry with unmistakable depth. Combined with ginger and dried red chilies, the garlic creates a complex base that sets the tone for the sauce. Rather than being overwhelming, the garlic is balanced by sweet, tangy, and umami elements in the sauce, making each bite intensely flavorful yet well-rounded. This dish is a garlic lover’s dream and a prime example of how a simple ingredient can elevate an entire meal.

Texture and Ingredient Harmony

One of the hallmarks of this recipe is the interplay of textures. The chicken is tender and juicy thanks to a quick marinade with cornstarch and oil, a common Chinese cooking technique that locks in moisture. The wood-ear mushrooms provide a chewy, almost crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with the meat. Bamboo shoots add a crisp bite, while bell peppers introduce a fresh, slightly sweet crunch. Together, these ingredients create a stir-fry that’s dynamic and satisfying, both in taste and texture. This harmony is what makes Chicken with Garlic Sauce a complete and gratifying dish.

A Sauce That Balances Everything

The garlic-chili sauce used in this recipe is a masterful balance of salty, sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. Soy sauce offers depth and saltiness, rice vinegar brings acidity, and Shaoxing wine adds a unique aroma and mild sweetness. A small amount of sugar enhances these flavors without making the dish overtly sweet. Chicken broth serves as a savory base, tying all the components together. For those who love extra heat, a drizzle of chili oil intensifies the spiciness, adding a satisfying burn that lingers without overpowering the dish.

Stir-Frying: Quick and Effective Cooking

Stir-frying is not just a cooking method—it’s a philosophy of speed and precision. This technique allows ingredients to cook rapidly over high heat, sealing in flavor and preserving texture. Because everything is cooked in succession—starting with aromatics and ending with a quick sauce reduction—it’s important to have all ingredients prepped and ready before turning on the stove. Stir-frying also minimizes nutrient loss, making it one of the healthiest ways to prepare a delicious and wholesome meal in under 30 minutes.

Perfect for Weeknight Meals

Chicken with Garlic Sauce is ideal for weeknight dinners because it checks all the boxes: fast, easy, nutritious, and delicious. The entire dish can be prepared in a single wok or skillet, making cleanup a breeze. The ingredients are commonly found in most kitchens or easily accessible at any supermarket. Additionally, it’s a one-pan dish that pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or even noodles, allowing you to build a complete meal around it with minimal effort.

Healthful and Nutrient-Dense

Despite its robust flavor, Chicken with Garlic Sauce is relatively light and balanced in terms of nutrition. Each serving provides around 233 calories, with a generous amount of lean protein from the chicken. The use of oil is minimal and primarily used for stir-frying, while vegetables contribute fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Garlic and ginger are known for their anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, making this dish not only tasty but also beneficial to your health. The sodium content can be easily adjusted by using low-sodium soy sauce or limiting added salt.

Customizable to Fit Your Taste

This recipe is highly adaptable to individual preferences and dietary needs. You can substitute the chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version, or use beef, shrimp, or pork for variety. Adjust the spice level by increasing or reducing the number of dried red chilies or chili oil. For a more vegetable-forward dish, feel free to include snap peas, broccoli florets, carrots, or baby corn. Even the sauce can be modified—add a dash of hoisin for sweetness or sesame oil for a nutty undertone. This flexibility makes it easy to keep the dish interesting every time you make it.

Serving Suggestions

While this dish is flavorful on its own, it truly shines when served with a complementary side. A bowl of steamed white rice acts as the perfect neutral base that absorbs the sauce beautifully. If you’re looking for something lower in carbs, try cauliflower rice or a bed of stir-fried cabbage. As an accompaniment, a simple cucumber salad or miso soup can round out the meal. For a dinner party, serve Chicken with Garlic Sauce alongside spring rolls, dumplings, or a light noodle salad for a complete Asian-inspired spread.

Cultural Inspiration and Modern Appeal

Though rooted in Chinese cuisine, Chicken with Garlic Sauce is a dish that bridges cultures. It blends traditional Chinese stir-fry techniques and flavors with the efficiency and adaptability appreciated in Western home kitchens. This fusion makes it approachable for all levels of cooks and palates. It’s a dish that invites exploration—once you’ve mastered the basics, you’ll find endless ways to personalize and reinterpret it. That balance between authenticity and creativity is what keeps recipes like this relevant and beloved across generations and borders.

Conclusion

Chicken with Garlic Sauce is more than just a quick stir-fry—it’s a flavor-packed experience that celebrates the beauty of garlic, the versatility of stir-frying, and the satisfaction of a home-cooked meal. It proves that bold taste doesn’t have to come from long hours in the kitchen. With just a few fresh ingredients, a hot pan, and a well-balanced sauce, you can create a restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your own home. Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding a family, or entertaining guests, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s sure to make its way into your regular meal rotation.

Pin3