Quick Sticky Ginger Chicken Recipe (Healthy, Easy & Not Fried)

This quick sticky ginger chicken recipe is ready in 30 minutes and made healthier with jaggery sugar instead of sugar. Sweet, spicy, and full of nostalgic Asian-takeout vibes—perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep! 

Quick Sticky Ginger Chicken

If there’s one dish that instantly brings back childhood takeout cravings and travel memories from Asia, it’s sticky ginger chicken.

You know the kind: glossy, sweet-spicy glaze, succulent bites of chicken, and that unmistakable gingery kick that lights up your tastebuds.

But this version?

It’s faster, lighter, and healthier—because we’ve swapped out refined sugar for jaggery sugar, a natural sweetener that’s lower on the glycemic index and loved in Indian kitchens.

Whether you’re craving a quick weeknight dinner or a healthier takeout-style fix, this quick sticky ginger chicken recipe is here to steal your heart.

What is Sticky Ginger Chicken?

Sticky Ginger Chicken is a beloved Asian-inspired dish made by tossing crispy or pan-seared chicken in a thick glaze of ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and a sweetener—usually sugar or honey.

But in this jaggery version, we replace sugar with a caramelly, mineral-rich jaggery syrup that gives it extra depth and makes it friendly for diabetics or those avoiding refined sugars.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into this sweet-spicy comfort bowl:

• Chicken – Boneless, skinless thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized chunks)
• Fresh Ginger – Grated for that punchy flavor
• Garlic – Minced or crushed
• Soy Sauce – Regular or low-sodium
• Jaggery Powder or Block – Melted into a syrup form
• Crushed Red – can use red chili flakes too (brings the heat that goes so well with sticky flavor)
• Cornstarch – For coating and thickening the chicken and sauce
• Cold Pressed Sesame Oil – can use any neutral oil for pan-frying
• Green Onion – for the sauce and garnish

Step-by-Step: How to Make Quick Sticky Ginger Chicken

I’m dividing into 3 main steps:

Step 1: Marinate & Coat the Chicken (picture below)

In a bowl, mix chicken with:

• Cornstarch
• Grated ginger
• Garlic
• Salt + Red Chili

Let it marinate for 10–15 minutes while you prep your sauce.

Step 2: Make the Sticky Jaggery Sugar Sauce/Glaze (picture below)

In a small saucepan:

• Add soy sauce, green onion, ginger, jaggery sugar, salt, and red chili
• Mix everything and simmer until it melts into a syrup
• Stir and cook for a few minutes till the sauce thickens.
• Turn off the heat and keep aside.

Step 3: Pan-Fry the Chicken and Add the Sauce

• Heat some sesame oil in a skillet or wok.
• Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook on high heat till golden brown and cooked through (about 6–8 minutes).
• Lower the flame.
• Pour in the jaggery-ginger sauce and stir to coat all chicken pieces evenly.
• Simmer for 1–2 minutes until sticky, glossy, and bubbling!

Easy Sticky Soy Ginger Chicken Serving Suggestions

Pair it with:

•  Steamed jasmine or basmati rice


• Veggie stir-fried noodles


• Lettuce wraps for a low-carb version


• Quinoa or cauliflower rice for a guilt-free meal



• Make it a bowl with noodles and fresh chopped veggies.
• Add it with broth for a soupy delight

Added Tip: Top with chopped spring onions, sesame seeds, or even crushed roasted peanuts for added texture.

Why Use Jaggery Sugar?

Jaggery (also called gur in Hindi) is a natural unrefined sugar derived from sugarcane juice or palm sap.

Here’s why it’s a smart choice:

1. Lower glycemic index than refined sugar
2. Rich in minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium
3. Adds complex depth, more than just sweetness
4. Diabetic-friendly in moderation
5. Traditional Indian kitchens have used it for generations

Swapping jaggery or jaggery sugar in sweet-spicy glazes like this one is a small step toward healthier indulgence.

My love for easy sticky ginger soy chicken began at a little street-side stall in Chinatown, San Francisco, where the air was thick with the scent of sizzling garlic and soy.

The vendor would serve it over fluffy jasmine rice in paper boxes with wooden forks.

Later, I discovered a similar comfort in India’s Chinese food joints—from Kolkata’s Tangra-style to Delhi’s food courts where Indo-Chinese ruled every menu.

What always stood out? The balance of bold flavors and that unmistakable sticky glaze coating every piece of chicken.

This version recreates all that magic, but makes it easier to cook at home—and healthier too

Few Questions You May Have: 

Can I use honey instead of jaggery?

Yes, but jaggery gives it a unique, earthy sweetness and is less processed.

Can I air fry the chicken?

Absolutely! Marinate, spray lightly with oil, and air fry at 200°C (390°F) for 10–12 minutes, flipping once halfway.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce and you’re good to go.

Can I make this vegan?

Yes! Use tofu or mushrooms instead of chicken, and follow the same steps.

This Quick Sticky Ginger Chicken with Jaggery sugar is more than just a recipe—it’s a delicious mashup of nostalgia, travel bites, and home-cooked comfort.

It’s the kind of dish that hits all the right notes: sweet, spicy, sticky, comforting, and still better for you.

Bookmark it, batch it, and serve it up on days when you’re craving something bold, fast, and full of flavor—without relying on takeout or sugar-heavy sauces.

Tried Our Recipe – AWESOME & Please Don’t Forget To:

✅ Share this recipe with friends & family

✅ Leave a comment below with your feedback

✅ Follow for more healthy & delicious recipes!

SNAP A PICTURE & TAG :

#easycookingwithmolly +  @easycookingwithmolly on Instagram –>

Connect with Me Here too :  Facebook / Pinterest 

:: You May Also Like ::

Air Fryer String Green Beans Chicken

Easy Indian Chilli Chicken Recipe (without frying)

Continue to Content

Yield: 4 adults

Quick Sticky Ginger Chicken Recipe (Healthy, Easy & Not Fried)

Print

This quick sticky ginger chicken recipe is ready in 30 minutes and made healthier with jaggery sugar instead of sugar. Sweet, spicy, and full of nostalgic Asian-takeout vibes—perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1/2 kg Chicken – Boneless, skinless thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized chunks)
• 2 tbsp Fresh Ginger – Grated for that punchy flavor
• 1 tbsp Garlic – Minced or crushed
• 3 tbsp Soy Sauce – Regular or low-sodium
• 1.5 tbsp Jaggery Sugar – use any sugar or honey if needed
• 1 tbsp Crushed Red Chili - check notes
• 2.5 tbsp Cornstarch – For coating and thickening the chicken and sauce
• 4 tbsp Cold Pressed Sesame Oil – can use any neutral oil for pan-frying
• 3 tbsp Green Onion - for the sauce and garnish

Instructions

Step by Step Quick Sticky Ginger Chicken Recipe:

Step 1: Marinate & Coat the Chicken (picture below)

In a bowl, mix chicken with:

• Cornstarch
• Grated ginger
• Garlic
• Salt + Red Chili

Let it marinate for 10–15 minutes while you prep your sauce.

Step 2: Make the Sticky Jaggery Sugar Sauce/Glaze (picture below)

In a small saucepan:

• Add soy sauce, green onion, ginger, jaggery sugar, salt, and red chili
• Mix everything and simmer until it bubbles. Then turn down the heat.
• Stir, add 1 tbsp oil, and cook for a few minutes till the sauce thickens.
• Turn off the heat and keep aside.

Step 3: Pan-Fry the Chicken and Add the Sauce

• Heat 3tbsp sesame oil in a skillet or wok.
• Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook on high heat till golden brown and cooked through (about 6–8 minutes).
• Lower the flame.
• Pour in the jaggery-ginger sauce and stir to coat all chicken pieces evenly.
• Simmer for 1–2 minutes until sticky, glossy, and bubbling!
• Turn off and sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top.
• Serve fresh with steamed rice, noodles.
• Store the rest in an air-tight container in the fridge for upto 2 days.

Notes

Red Chili: can use red chili flakes too (brings the heat that goes so well with sticky flavor)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 502Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 133mgSodium: 1083mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 2gSugar: 10gProtein: 40g