Introduction

Garlic is one of those ingredients that can transform a dish from normal to amazing, and this Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe is no different. Instead of using minced garlic like in this recipe, this recipe uses whole garlic cloves, which not only gives the dish that garlic flavor, but they turn soft and slightly sweet. Out of all the stir fries I’ve made, this one stands out because it’s super simple yet yields the most flavorful bite!

What Makes This Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe So Good

In this Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe, there are only really 3 components: the garlic, the chicken, and the sauce. The first two ingredients are already really prepared, but the sauce was built and tested to compliment them perfectly. The dark soy sauce is added for that golden color you see at takeout restaurants while the light soy sauce adds that classic savory and umami flavor. The oyster sauce gives it even more umami flavor while the sugar and black pepper round out the saltiness of everything else. These flavors are what coat both the chicken and garlic cloves, which creates a very cohesive and tasty dish!

Spoon lifting glossy chicken and whole garlic cloves coated in a savory soy-based sauce from the Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe served over rice.

Why The Garlic Cloves Are Whole For This Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

You may ask why we use whole garlic cloves in this stir fry, and the reason is because it releases flavor in a way that is completely different than adding it minced. Yes, minced garlic adds a lot of flavor, but it’s more as a flavoring rather than an ingredient you bite into. When the cloves of the garlic are cooked whole, they soften slowly, which takes away that super sharp flavor and turns them into these slightly sweet. The aroma is still released into the dish, although not as strongly, which is preferred because of the amount of garlic added. This is what makes the dish stand out. The garlic is the main star instead of being hidden!

Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe Ingredients

Chicken thighs – The main protein of the dish. They stay juicy and tender even if overcooked and get a great sear in the pan.

Whole garlic cloves + water – Cooking the garlic cloves whole allows it to soften and develop that soft, jammy texture while the water helps cook the garlic cloves through.

Sauce (dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, black pepper) – A delicious blend that seasons, adds umami, and gives the stir fry its signature color.

Steamed rice – The perfect base for soaking up the sauce and turning this dish into a complete meal.

How to Make Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

In a small bowl, mix together dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and black pepper.

Black pepper being added into a bowl of soy sauce mixture to create the rich sauce for the Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe.

Heat a pan over medium heat with oil and cook the garlic cloves until lightly golden.

Whole peeled garlic cloves sautéing in oil inside a pan until lightly golden for the Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe.

Add water, cover, and cook until the garlic is tender, then remove and set aside.

Water being added into a pan of garlic cloves before covering to soften the garlic for the Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe.

In the same pan, cook the chicken until browned on all sides.

Bite-sized chicken thigh pieces being added into a hot pan to brown for the Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe.

Return the garlic to the pan and pour in the sauce.

Thick soy-based sauce being poured over chicken thighs and softened garlic cloves in the Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe.

Stir continuously until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken and garlic.

Chicken and whole garlic cloves being stirred in a glossy dark soy sauce until fully coated in the Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe.

Serve immediately over rice.

Saucy garlic chicken being spooned over steamed white rice with glossy whole garlic cloves in the Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe.

What to Serve with Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe

This whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe is great with many side dishes. These are a few of my favorites:

White rice. A classic pairing to any stir fry dish that makes it more filling and soaks all that delicious sauce.
Sautéed greens. This pairs great with just a couple tablespoons of oyster sauce. It’s a traditional side that’s served alongside stir fries.
Pickled vegetables. Pickled cabbage or carrots work best with countering the rich flavors of the Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe.

How to Store Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

This Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you are serving it with rice, I usually store it separately, whether side by side or in separate containers. This is to prevent the rice from becoming too mushy from being constantly soaked in the sauce. When you reheat it, there are a couple of options.

Reheating in a pan. Yields the most similar texture to a freshly-made version.
Microwaving. Microwave the dish with a splash of water for 2 minutes before mixing and serving.

Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Substitutions

This Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Recipe is very flexible, and you can substitute some ingredients based on what you have. A few of my favorite substitutions are:

Chicken breast. A leaner protein that still works very well. If you do, marinate the chicken breast strips in 2 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, and a pinch of salt for 15 minutes prior to cooking. This will make the chicken breast super tender!
Fewer garlic cloves. If you want a milder tasting dish, you can reduce the number of garlic cloves without changing the primary flavors.
Hoisin sauce. Can be used instead of oyster sauce, but will be slightly more floral and sweeter.
Chopped vegetables. Feel free to add bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions to this dish to add more texture and vitamins!