Stir-Fried Chicken with Ginger and Kaffir Lime Leaves

Servings: 5 Total Time: 30 mins Difficulty: Beginner
A quick, fragrant stir-fry combining tender chicken, zesty kaffir lime leaves and warm ginger, all seasoned with fish sauce. Ready in 20 minutes, this simple dish is perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to be a family favourite.
Stir-fried chicken with ginger and kaffir lime leaves pinit

This dish might look simple, but don’t be fooled. The combination of ginger, kaffir lime leaves, and fish sauce creates a fragrance that’s absolutely mouth-watering. It’s one of those meals that fills the house with an irresistible aroma, and you know straight away dinner is going to be a hit.

Stir-Fried Chicken with Ginger and Kaffir Lime Leaves is quick, it’s easy and it’s perfect for a busy weeknight. My kids love it, and honestly, I always end up making extra rice because everyone goes back for seconds.

Why I love this dish

I’m all about keeping things simple, and this recipe is as straightforward as it gets. Just four main ingredients – chicken, ginger, kaffir lime leaves and fish sauce – are all you need to create something really delicious. There’s no need for fancy extras because the flavours work so well together.

Stir-fried chicken with ginger and kaffir lime leaves.

You can find kaffir lime leaves in most Asian supermarkets, usually in the freezer section, which means they’ll keep for ages. Once you’ve tried this recipe, I bet you’ll find excuses to use them again and again!

What you’ll need for this stir-fried chicken dish

  • Chicken thigh fillets: these are the best for this dish because they’re tender and juicy.
  • Ginger: sliced into thin strips, it adds a lovely warm flavour.
  • Kaffir lime leaves: these give the dish its unique citrusy fragrance.
  • Fish sauce: it’s the star of the seasoning.
  • Olive oil: just a dash to start things off.
Stir-fried chicken ingredients

How to make it

1. Prep your ingredients

Slice ginger into strips, take 7-8 kaffir lime leaves out from the freezer, and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces (just over an inch).

2. Cook the aromatics

Heat a little olive oil in a pan. Add the ginger and kaffir lime leaves, stirring for about 30 seconds until you can slightly smell them.

cook the aromatics

3. Add the chicken

Toss the chicken into the pan and stir well so it picks up the flavours. Cook for a couple of minutes.

add the chicken

4. Season and simmer

Pour in the fish sauce and give it another good stir to coat the chicken. Pop the lid on and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll notice some juice coming out of the chicken as it cooks.

season and simmer

5. Finish up

Turn the heat up high for the last couple of minutes to reduce the juices. This makes the flavours stronger and lets the chicken soak up all that goodness.

Finish up

Serving suggestions

This dish pairs perfectly with a bowl of steaming jasmine rice, and if you’ve got some broccoli or other green veg, steam it while the chicken is cooking. You’ll have a complete meal on the table in 30 minutes.

Make sure to drizzle some of the dish’s juices over your rice – it’s absolutely delicious. My daughter even went back for a second round of rice just to enjoy more of that amazing flavour!

Stir-fried chicken with ginger and lime leaves

Why your family will love it

The flavours in this stir-fried chicken are simple but so satisfying. The ginger gives a bit of warmth, the lime leaves add a fresh zing, and the fish sauce ties everything together. It’s not spicy, so even young kids love it, and the chicken comes out so tender it’s hard to stop eating.

Give this stir-fried chicken a go – there’s a good chance this will become a regular in your kitchen. And don’t forget to make a bit of extra rice. Trust me, you’ll need it!

What’s for dinner? Sorted!

Learn more about fish sauce here and don’t forget to try my other recipes which go very well with rice.

Stir-Fried Chicken with Ginger and Kaffir Lime Leaves

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 30 mins
Servings: 5 Estimated Cost: £ 6

Description

A quick, fragrant stir-fry combining tender chicken, zesty kaffir lime leaves, and warming ginger, all seasoned with fish sauce. Ready in 20 minutes, this simple dish is perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to be a family favourite.

Stir-fried Chicken with Ginger and Kaffir Lime Leaves

Cooking Mode Disabled

Instructions

    1. Prepare Ingredients: Slice the ginger, take the kaffir lime leaves out of the freezer, and cut the chicken into pieces about over an inch size. 
    2. Cook Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the ginger and kaffir lime leaves, stirring for 30 seconds until slightly fragrant. 
    3. Add Chicken: Stir in the chicken, cooking for 2-3 minutes to coat in the aromatics.
    4. Season and Simmer: Add the fish sauce and stir well. Cover the pan with a lid and let it simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
    5. Reduce the Sauce: Remove the lid, increase the heat to high, and cook for 2-3 minutes to reduce the sauce, letting the chicken absorb the flavours. 
    6. Serve: Serve hot over steamed jasmine rice, drizzling some of the savoury juices over the top for extra flavour. 

Nutrition Facts

Servings 5


Amount Per Serving
Calories 432.24kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 32.69g51%
Saturated Fat 8.54g43%
Trans Fat 0.15g
Cholesterol 176.4mg59%
Sodium 853.32mg36%
Potassium 422.49mg13%
Total Carbohydrate 2.47g1%
Dietary Fiber 0.34g2%
Sugars 0.42g
Protein 30.32g61%

Vitamin A 44.35 IU
Vitamin C 0.73 mg
Calcium 24.46 mg
Iron 1.7 mg
Vitamin D 0.18 IU
Vitamin E 0.78 IU
Vitamin K 5.41 mcg
Thiamin 0.13 mg
Riboflavin 0.27 mg
Niacin 8.58 mg
Vitamin B6 0.68 mg
Folate 12.16 mcg
Vitamin B12 1.15 mcg
Phosphorus 286.21 mg
Magnesium 51.73 mg
Zinc 2.39 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: Stir-fried Chicken, Chicken with ginger and kaffir lime leaves, Easy chicken stir-fry recipe, Quick weeknight chicken dinner, Asian chicken stir-fry, Kaffir lime leaves recipe

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Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Can I use chicken breast instead of thigh fillets?

Yes, you can, but thigh fillets are preferred as they stay juicier and more tender during cooking. If using breast, reduce the cooking time slightly to avoid drying it out. 

2. What can I use as a substitute for kaffir lime leaves?

If you can't find kaffir lime leaves, you can use a small amount of lime zest or lemon zest as an alternative or just simply cook the chicken with ginger. However, the unique fragrance of kaffir lime leaves is hard to replicate. 

3. Can I make this dish spicy?

Yes, you can add sliced chillies or a pinch of chilli flakes when cooking the ginger and kaffir leaves for a spicy kick. 

4. What can I serve this dish with?

Steamed jasmine rice is the best paring. Adding a side of steamed or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or park choy complete the meal. 

5. What type of fish sauce should I use?

Any good-quality fish sauce will work. Look for brands like Red Boat, Squid for a balanced flavour. 

Thao Bui

Food Blogger, Stylist and Photographer

Hi there, it’s lovely to meet you! I am a home cook, food lover and the founder of Summer and Spice. Originally from Hanoi, Vietnam—a city abundant in rich, diverse flavours—I now live in the UK with my husband and three kids.

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