Fiery Garlic Chili Chicken Stir Fry

If you’re searching for a weeknight meal that packs a serious punch of flavor without requiring hours in the kitchen, you’ve just found your new favorite recipe. This stir-fry is a brilliant showcase of how simple ingredients can create an incredibly satisfying and dynamic dish. Ready in under an hour, this recipe is perfect for home cooks of all levels. At its heart, it’s a simple stir-fry, but the combination of tender chicken, aromatic garlic, and a vibrant kick from fresh chilies makes it truly special. The flavor profile is savory and moderately spicy, with a wonderful depth from the oyster and soy sauces. It’s the kind of dish that fills your kitchen with an irresistible aroma and will have everyone eagerly waiting at the dinner table.

To get started, you’ll need a handful of accessible ingredients. The key is using fresh, quality components to let the flavors truly shine. Here’s what you’ll be gathering:

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb (about 450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp dark soy sauce: This adds a beautiful color and a hint of molasses-like flavor. If you can’t find it, regular soy sauce will work, though the final dish will be lighter in color.

For the Stir-Fry:

• 2 tbsp peanut oil: Or any neutral oil with a high smoke point, like canola, grapeseed, or vegetable oil.
• 4-5 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 3 long green chilies: Serrano peppers are a fantastic choice for a clean, medium heat. If you prefer less spice, a jalapeño with the seeds removed would also work well.
• 2-3 small red chilies: Thai bird’s eye chilies are perfect here for a sharper heat. Feel free to adjust the quantity based on your love for spice!
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• ¼ tsp salt, or to taste

Oyster sauce is a key ingredient for that deep, savory (or umami) flavor. It’s a thick, dark sauce available in the international aisle of most supermarkets and is well worth adding to your pantry staples.

Now for the fun part! This dish comes together quickly, so it’s best to have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you even turn on the stove.

1. Start by preparing your chicken. If your chicken thighs have any excess fat, trim it off. Pat them dry with a paper towel and wash them.
2. Cut the chicken into uniform, bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. This ensures they cook evenly.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with the cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, and the dark soy sauce. Mix thoroughly until every piece is coated. The cornstarch will give the chicken a wonderfully silky texture. Set it aside to marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.
4. While the chicken marinates, prepare your aromatics. Wash the green and red chilies and slice them into thin rings.
5. Peel and finely mince the garlic cloves.
6. Place a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the peanut oil. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the marinated chicken in a single layer. Let it cook without stirring for a couple of minutes to get a nice sear. Then, continue to stir-fry until the moisture has cooked off and the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
7. Now it’s time to build the flavor. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce and the salt to the skillet, stirring to coat the chicken.
8. Add the minced garlic and toss for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
9. Add all of your sliced chilies to the pan.
10. Turn the heat up to high and stir-fry everything together briskly for another 1-2 minutes. You want the chilies to be vibrant and just tender-crisp. Once everything is well combined and heated through, your dish is ready!

The result is a stunningly fragrant and delicious dish that tastes even better than it looks. The chicken is incredibly tender and juicy, enveloped in a savory, garlicky sauce with a delightful heat that builds with every bite. Serve it immediately over a bed of fluffy steamed rice, which is perfect for soaking up all of that incredible sauce. For a more complete meal, add a side of steamed greens like broccoli or bok choy. I absolutely love making this dish because it’s so quick and delivers such a complex and satisfying flavor. I hope you give it a try! Let me know how it turns out in the comments below—I’d love to hear if you customized the spice level or made any of your own delicious additions!