Discover the ultimate weeknight savior: a delightful Stir Fry Chicken with Sesame and Leeks. This recipe is not just simple and incredibly flavorful, but it also comes together in a remarkable 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy evenings. With just a few staple ingredients, you can transform ordinary chicken into an extraordinary culinary experience, highlighted by the subtle sweetness of leeks and the nutty aroma of sesame seeds.
Photos Updated October 2014
Originally posted June 16, 2008 – As the holiday season approaches, I often find myself on the hunt for easy, no-fuss dinner ideas that can withstand the whirlwind of activities. This Stir Fry Chicken recipe, a true gem from my culinary archives, recently found its way back into my kitchen, and I’ve completely re-fallen in love with it. What makes it a perennial favorite is its accessibility: almost all ingredients, with the occasional exception of fresh leeks, are items I consistently keep on hand. This makes it a fantastic “go-to” recipe for those moments when inspiration is low but hunger is high.
Why This Sesame Leek Chicken Stir Fry Will Become Your New Favorite
In a world that constantly demands our attention, finding the time and energy to prepare a wholesome, delicious meal can often feel like a monumental task. That’s where this 30-minute sesame leek chicken stir fry truly shines. It’s designed for efficiency without compromising on taste, making it perfect for anyone seeking a quick, flavorful, and satisfying dinner.
- Lightning Fast: From prep to plate in just 30 minutes, this recipe is your solution for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table without delay.
- Minimal Ingredients, Maximum Flavor: Don’t let the short ingredient list fool you. The combination of tender chicken, sweet leeks, and toasted sesame seeds creates a symphony of flavors that will surprise and delight your taste buds.
- Effortless Preparation: Simple steps mean less stress in the kitchen. Even novice cooks can achieve fantastic results with this straightforward stir fry.
- Versatile Serving: Whether you prefer it over fluffy rice, delicate angel hair pasta, or even a healthier bed of quinoa, this stir fry adapts beautifully to your preference.
- A Unique Twist: Leeks add a gourmet touch and a subtle oniony sweetness that elevates this beyond a typical chicken stir-fry.
The Journey to This Recipe: From Cookbook Hoarding to Culinary Discovery
Do you recall that period when I put out a call for your best leek recipes? If my organizational skills were impeccable, I would have immediately followed up that post with this very recipe, and a subsequent one detailing how I utilized the remaining leeks. Alas, my life lately feels like a constant juggling act, and staying “on top of it” seems like a distant dream. I keep hoping for things to slow down, but perhaps this frenetic pace is simply the new normal – a perpetual cycle of too much to do and far too little time to do it all!
So, while it might be a tad late, here it is: my very first recipe featuring the wonderful leek. The second one, I promise, will follow shortly, and yes, it incorporates one of your excellent suggestions!
A Lifelong Love Affair with Cookbooks
This recipe emerges from a recent endeavor to systematically cook my way through my extensive collection of cookbooks. And now that it’s published, I can proudly cross another one off the list! It’s a small victory, but a victory nonetheless.
In my single days, cooking wasn’t a frequent activity. Perhaps it was the lack of companionship that made cooking for one feel less inspiring. Or maybe it was the perpetual challenge of sharing kitchen space with roommates, which often meant a less-than-ideally stocked pantry. Add to that a vibrant social calendar, and meals simply didn’t originate from my kitchen very often. Yet, despite my infrequent cooking habits, I’ve always been an absolute sucker for a new cookbook. Back then, my collection was modest compared to today’s, but I would diligently scour the shelves of bargain stores like TJ Maxx and Ross. These weren’t typically renowned, celebrity chef cookbooks, but rather hidden gems brimming with enticing photographs and an abundance of promising recipes. In fact, some of my most cherished dishes have sprung from the pages of these unexpected finds.
This Stir Fry Chicken with Sesame and Leeks is a testament to one such “bargain” cookbook. I vividly remember purchasing a copy of this particular chicken cookbook as a gift for someone, but after a thorough leaf-through, I instantly knew I needed one for myself. So, I promptly went back and acquired a second copy. And there it sat, patiently waiting. Another cookbook I’d admired countless times, yet never actually cooked from. Well, that long wait is finally over.
Essential Ingredients for a Flavorful Stir Fry
This dish’s magic lies in its simplicity and the quality of a few key components. Understanding each ingredient’s role will help you achieve the best flavor profile.
Spotlight on Leeks: The Understated Aromatic
Often overlooked, leeks are a fantastic addition to stir-fries, offering a milder, sweeter, and more sophisticated onion flavor compared to traditional onions or scallions. They soften beautifully when cooked, adding a delicate texture. The trickiest part about leeks is cleaning them – their layered structure can hide dirt and grit. Always slice them first, then rinse thoroughly in a bowl of water, allowing any soil to settle at the bottom. Lift the clean leeks out with a slotted spoon for best results.
The Magic of Sesame: Seeds and Oil
Sesame plays a dual role in this stir fry. Toasted sesame seeds provide a wonderful nutty crunch and visual appeal as a garnish. A quick toast in a dry pan is all it takes to bring out their intense flavor. Sesame oil, added to the cooking oil, infuses the entire dish with its distinctive, deep, and aromatic essence. It’s crucial not to overheat sesame oil on its own, as its flavor can turn bitter, which is why we combine it with vegetable oil for stir-frying.
Chicken Perfection: Choosing and Preparing
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for this stir fry due to their lean protein and quick cooking time. Cutting them into bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking and makes them easy to eat. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier result; just be mindful that they might take a minute or two longer to cook. Browning the chicken in batches is key to developing a rich flavor crust, a technique often missed in stir-fries.
The Savory Stir Fry Sauce Base
The simple sauce combines soy sauce for umami and saltiness, mirin (Japanese sweet cooking wine) for a touch of sweetness and depth, and a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors. This classic trio forms the backbone of many Asian-inspired stir-fries, creating a perfectly balanced savory-sweet glaze that coats every piece of chicken and leek.
Mastering the Stir Fry Technique for Optimal Results
Stir-frying is a quick-cooking method that originated in China, involving cooking food in a small amount of very hot oil while stirring rapidly. Achieving a perfect stir fry at home is all about preparation and technique.
Tips for a Perfect Stir Fry:
- High Heat is Key: Use a large skillet or, ideally, a wok, and get it screaming hot before adding any ingredients. This ensures a quick sear and prevents steaming.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cook ingredients in batches if necessary. Overcrowding lowers the pan’s temperature, leading to steamed instead of stir-fried food.
- Mise en Place (Prepare Everything Ahead): Stir-frying is fast, so have all your ingredients chopped, measured, and ready to go before you even turn on the stove. This includes cleaning and slicing your leeks.
- Layering Flavors: Add aromatics like garlic towards the end of the chicken cooking time to prevent them from burning and becoming bitter.
- Adjust to Taste: Always taste your stir fry before serving and adjust seasonings. A little extra soy sauce, sugar, or a pinch of salt and pepper can make a big difference.
Stir Fry Chicken with Sesame and Leeks
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 leek
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Cut the leek in half lengthwise, then slice into half-moons, about 1/4 inch thick. Place the sliced leeks in a large bowl filled with water and gently swish them around. This allows any hidden grit and dirt to fall to the bottom of the bowl. Carefully remove the clean leeks using a slotted spoon and transfer them to a paper towel to drain and dry thoroughly.
- Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat. Add the sesame seeds to the hot pan and cook until they turn a beautiful golden brown, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Once toasted, immediately remove the sesame seeds to a small bowl and set aside.
- Return the skillet to high heat and add both the vegetable oil and sesame oil, swirling to evenly coat the bottom and sides of the pan. Add the chicken to the skillet in three separate batches, cooking each until nicely browned on all sides. Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure proper browning. Once all batches are cooked, return all of the browned chicken to the skillet.
- Add the prepared leeks and smashed garlic to the chicken in the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes, or until the leeks have softened. At this point, check the chicken to ensure it is cooked through. If it requires more cooking time, reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and allow the chicken to finish cooking until no longer pink inside.
- Pour the soy sauce, mirin, and sugar into the skillet with the chicken and leeks. Stir well to combine all ingredients, ensuring the sauce evenly coats everything. Reincorporate the toasted sesame seeds into the mixture and stir gently. Taste the stir fry and season with additional salt and pepper as needed to suit your preference.
- Serve immediately, topped generously with freshly sliced green onions for an extra burst of freshness and color.
- This stir fry is wonderfully versatile! I personally love to serve it over a bed of delicate angel hair pasta, but it pairs equally well with steamed white rice, brown rice, or even quinoa.
Recipe Notes:
Serving Suggestions and Variations
While this Sesame Leek Chicken Stir Fry is a star on its own, its versatility allows for numerous serving suggestions and exciting variations to keep your meals fresh and interesting. For a classic Asian-inspired dinner, serve it alongside a steaming bowl of jasmine rice, which beautifully absorbs the savory sauce. If you’re looking for a lighter option, cauliflower rice makes an excellent low-carb alternative. As mentioned in the recipe, angel hair pasta is a surprisingly delightful pairing, offering a comforting twist.
To boost the vegetable content, consider adding a colorful medley of stir-fry friendly vegetables. Sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), snap peas, broccoli florets, or thinly sliced carrots would all complement the existing flavors wonderfully. Simply add them to the pan with the leeks, allowing them to cook until crisp-tender.
Feeling adventurous? You could easily substitute the chicken with other proteins. Shrimp cooks just as quickly, making it another fantastic 30-minute option. Tofu or tempeh, pressed and cubed, would offer a delicious vegetarian alternative, absorbing the rich flavors of the sauce. For an extra kick, a dash of sriracha or red pepper flakes can be added to the sauce, or a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for added texture and richness.
Why This Recipe Stands Out in a Busy World
In our modern, fast-paced lives, convenience often trumps culinary creativity. However, this Stir Fry Chicken with Sesame and Leeks challenges that notion by proving that quick meals don’t have to be bland or repetitive. It’s a testament to the power of simple, fresh ingredients and effective cooking techniques. The vibrant flavors, coupled with its ease of preparation, make it more than just a meal; it’s a small victory for anyone striving to eat well despite a demanding schedule.
This recipe encourages you to explore less common ingredients like leeks, broadening your culinary horizons without overwhelming you. It’s a healthy choice, packed with lean protein and fresh vegetables, offering a satisfying and balanced dish. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, this stir fry is designed to deliver consistent, delicious results every time. It’s the perfect answer to the age-old question, “What’s for dinner?” when time is of the essence.
So, next time you’re short on time but craving something incredibly flavorful and comforting, reach for this Stir Fry Chicken with Sesame and Leeks. It’s a dish that will not only save you time but also win over taste buds and leave you feeling accomplished and well-fed. Give it a try – you might just find your new favorite easy weeknight dinner!
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