You know those recipes that become a part of your weekly routine, almost without you even deciding? This is one of them.

It’s the kind of meal that saves the day, filling your kitchen with an aroma that pulls everyone to the table, happily and without complaint.

Why This Recipe Earned Its Spot

Frankly, it’s a weeknight superhero disguised as dinner.

From the first sizzle in the pan to the final sprinkle of sesame seeds, the whole process is a swift, satisfying 15-minute dance.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

Gather these simple items, and you're most of the way there. Each one builds a layer, from savory depth to that nutty, sweet finish.

• Ground Chicken: The lean, quick-cooking base that soaks up all the glorious sauce.
• Yellow Onion & Garlic: Our aromatic foundation, they create that irresistible first scent the moment they hit the pan.
• Chili Garlic Sauce: The quiet star, it brings a gentle warmth and complex flavor that’s more about depth than sheer heat.
• Soy Sauce & Brown Sugar: The classic duo that balances salty with sweet, creating the backbone of our sauce.
• Toasted Sesame Oil: That’s the magic, right there. It’s the fragrant, nutty note that makes the dish truly sing.
• Chicken Broth & Cornstarch: They work together to build a silky, clinging sauce that coats every morsel perfectly.

The Simple Joy of a Well-Stocked Pantry

Once you make this a few times, you'll find you almost always have what you need.

The chili garlic sauce keeps forever in the fridge, and the rest are kitchen staples, which means a fantastic dinner is never far away.

How to make ?

The process is beautifully straightforward, a sequence of simple steps that build flavor confidently.

Step 1 - The Aromatic Start

Warm a bit of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your diced onion and let it cook, stirring now and then, until it turns soft and translucent.

Toss in the chopped garlic, and give it just a minute more—you want it fragrant, not browned.

Step 2 - Cooking the Chicken

Now, add the ground chicken. Use your spoon or a spatula to break it up into small, bite-sized crumbles as it cooks.

Once it’s fully cooked through, carefully drain any excess liquid from the skillet; this helps the sauce cling beautifully later. Season it well with salt and pepper.

Step 3 - Building the Sauce

While the chicken cooks, whisk together the chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and chicken broth in a bowl.

Pour this mixture over the cooked chicken, stirring to ensure every piece is introduced to the sauce. Let it come to a gentle simmer.

Step 4 - The Final Thicken & Serve

Stir your cornstarch-and-water mixture, then drizzle it into the simmering chicken while stirring. You’ll see the sauce transform, turning glossy and rich.

Let it bubble gently for another minute or two to cook off the starchy taste, then taste for seasoning. That’s it. Spoon it over rice, and garnish with a flurry of chopped scallions and sesame seeds.

Making It Uniquely Yours

The true beauty of a recipe like this is its flexibility, its willingness to adapt to your mood or your fridge’s contents.

• Protein Swaps: Ground turkey is a seamless substitute, and ground pork will add a richer, slightly sweeter flavor. Even lean ground beef works in a pinch.
• Vegetable Boost: Stir in a handful of broccoli florets, snap peas, or shredded carrots with the chicken to let them steam-cook in the sauce. It’s an easy way to add color and crunch.
• Sugar Adjustment: If you’re watching sugar, a stevia-based brown sugar alternative works well, or you can simply reduce the amount by a tablespoon or two—the sauce will still be delicious.

Tips

• For an even quicker sauce, you can whisk the dry cornstarch right into the sauce ingredients before pouring it into the pan. It will thicken as soon as it simmers.
• Start with one tablespoon of the toasted sesame oil. After thickening the sauce, give it a taste and add the second tablespoon if you want that nutty flavor to really pop.
• Don’t skip the garnish. The fresh, green bite of the scallions and the tiny crunch of sesame seeds lift the entire dish from great to fantastic.

Your Future Self Will Thank You

This dish is a meal-prepper’s dream, honestly. It reheats like a champion, the flavors mingling and deepening overnight.

Store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to four days, and reheat individual portions in the microwave for a lunch that feels anything but leftover.

Thinking Ahead with Freezing

Yes, it freezes beautifully. Let the cooked chicken cool completely, then portion it into airtight containers or freezer bags.

It’ll keep happily for up to three months, offering you a ready-made dinner on a day you simply can’t think about cooking. Just thaw and reheat.