When weeknights get busy, nothing beats a stir-fry that comes together in minutes but tastes like it took much longer. This soy-glazed chicken and spinach stir-fry is the kind of dish that delivers big on flavor with minimal effort. It’s savory, slightly sweet, and packed with nutrients – a perfect balance of comfort and freshness.
The magic starts with thinly sliced chicken breast or thigh, quickly cooked until golden. A soy-based glaze brings everything together, with just the right amount of umami and a subtle touch of sweetness. You can enhance the glaze with ingredients like garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and a splash of rice vinegar or honey to round out the flavor.
Once the chicken is coated in this sticky, glossy sauce, you toss in fresh spinach right at the end. It wilts in seconds, adding a burst of green and a gentle earthiness that contrasts beautifully with the rich glaze. The spinach also helps lighten the dish, keeping it fresh and vibrant.
Serve this stir-fry over steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or even noodles if you like. The sauce soaks into the grains, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. For a little crunch, sprinkle sesame seeds or chopped peanuts on top. If you enjoy spice, a drizzle of chili oil or a few red pepper flakes will do the trick.
What makes this dish so appealing is how adaptable it is. You can swap the spinach for bok choy, kale, or even snow peas. Add bell peppers or carrots for color and crunch. It’s a flexible recipe that works with whatever you have in the fridge.
Soy-glazed chicken and spinach stir-fry is proof that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. It’s quick, satisfying, and full of bold, balanced flavor. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding the whole family, this is one of those recipes you’ll find yourself returning to again and again.

Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless, sliced into strips
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp ginger grated
- 2 cups spinach leaves
- 1 red bell pepper sliced
- 1 carrot julienned
- 1/4 cup cashews chopped
- 2 Green onions sliced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
- Heat a pan or wok over medium-high heat and add the sliced chicken. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the red bell pepper and carrot. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add the spinach leaves and cook until wilted.
- Return the chicken to the pan and pour in the soy sauce mixture.
- Stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes to coat the chicken and vegetables in the sauce.
- Sprinkle with cashews and green onions before serving.
- Serve hot over rice or noodles.
This was amazing! The flavors were superb and it came together so quickly. Will definitely make it again!
I followed the recipe but my chicken was so dry! What did I do wrong???
Maybe you cooked it too long? Chicken can dry out real quick if you overdo it.
I made this with tofu instead of chicken since I’m vegetarian, and it came out delicious! highly recommend.
I think it’s too sweet for my taste. The honey overpowers all the other flavors. Maybe less honey next time?
Not worth it. My chicken was dry. I think I cooked it too long? 😕
Sounds like you overcooked it. Chicken needs to be juicy! But the sauce recipe is super good.
I get it, sometimes chicken just dries out! Maybe try marinating it next time for extra flavor? 🤔
This was delicious! My whole family loved it. Definitely making again!
Sounds good, but my husband usually doesn’t like soy sauce. 😕 I wonder if I could use something else?
I tried this recipe too and it turned out amazing! The sauce is just perfect. Glad your family enjoyed it! 👍
Absolutely delicious! I added some broccoli too, and it turned out fab! Great recipe!
I’m glad you liked it! Broccoli sounds like a great addition, I’ll have to try that next time! 🌟
Just made this—super tasty and the sauce clings perfectly. I used chicken thighs and it still worked great. Will definitely repeat.
Ahh love hearing that! The sauce clinging is the best part—glad it worked with chicken thighs too. I bet the thighs stay extra juicy.
Chicken took longer to cook than stated. Had to add more soy sauce to balance it out.
I totally get that! Chicken can be tricky sometimes. Adding more sauce is a smart fix! I’m gonna try this recipe too.
This is a winner in my house! I used chicken thighs instead of breasts and it was juicy!
I don’t understand why everyone loves chicken thighs. They’re greasy! I’ll stick with breasts. 😒
Sounds delish! Chicken thighs really do add that extra juiciness. Gonna try it this weekend!
The ginger/garlic amount feels a little strong if you’re not into bold flavors—next time I’ll cut it down. Still really good though.
Easy and quick to prepare! My kids even ate the spinach! Will definitely make again.
I’m so glad your kids liked it! Healthy meals that they enjoy are such a win! 😊
Quick? I don’t know… I tried this recipe and it took me forever. Plus, my kids didn’t eat the spinach. 😩
It was okay but the chicken didn’t cook right. Maybe I overcooked it? I don’t know. 🤷♂️
Yummy in my tummy. Easy to make and tastes great!
I’m skeptical of the sesame oil amount because it can overpower stuff, but honestly it balanced well. Also the 5-6 min cook time was perfect for thin strips.
I get what you mean—sesame oil can be super overpowering. But yeah, 1 tbsp doesn’t seem too crazy here, especially with soy + honey balancing it out. Glad the 5–6 minutes worked for your thin strips too; I always worry about overcooking chicken in stir-fry.
Can I use frozen spinach instead? Don’t wanna waste fresh ones. 🤔
Just follow the steps as written and you’ll be fine. Don’t overthink it! Delicious recipe!
I made this for dinner last night and my kids loved it! Easy and healthy! 👍
So easy to make! I threw in some mushrooms I had lying around and it was fantastic!
Mushrooms? That’s a weird combination! But I guess if you liked it, that’s what matters!
Just okay. It needed more flavor or something. I was expecting better.
I followed it exactly, but mine turned kinda sticky/syrupy after a few minutes. Maybe my honey was extra thick? Tasted okay, just different texture.
That sounds like the honey reduced a bit too much—extra-thick honey can go syrupy fast. Next time try a touch lower heat or add the sauce mixture and cook just until it coats, not for long.
Mine did that too once. I think the pan was too hot and the honey kinda caramelized. Also, if your honey is old/thick it behaves different. Still tasty though!
Yummy! But don’t forget to cook your chicken all the way. Safety first!
Agreed! Cooking chicken properly is super important. Love this recipe!
Yeah, but who actually checks if chicken is cooked right? Just make it tasty!
This stir-fry is delicious! The honey adds a nice sweetness. My family loved it!
Glad to hear your family loved it! I’m definitely trying this soon. Honey is such a great touch!
Sounds good, but isn’t soy sauce super salty? I might skip it or use less.
5 stars for sure! My kids loved it and even asked for seconds!
This was amazing! The flavors blended so well together. My family loved it!
I’m glad you loved it! The honey really does add a nice touch. 🌟
It was okay, but I think it needed more spice. Like maybe some chili flakes or somthin. 🤔
I made this for dinner, forgot the green onion tho. Still yum.
Nah, not for me. I didn’t like the honey, made it too sweet.
This was so delicious! The honey gave it a sweet kick. Will make again for sure!
My chicken was a little dry (maybe I overcooked). The veggies were great though. I’d love more sauce—could double it.
That makes sense—5-6 minutes can definitely dry out chicken breasts depending on thickness. Doubling the sauce sounds like a great fix; you could also add it a bit earlier or just toss the chicken back in and reduce the cook time for the second 2-3 minutes.
I don’t know about this soy sauce and honey mix, sounds weird. Idk if I’ll try it.
I thought the same at first, but trust me, soy sauce and honey work surprisingly well together! Give it a shot!
Not bad, but my sauce was kinda thick and then dried out in the pan. Next time I’ll add a splash of water or broth when I return the chicken. Flavor was still good though.
Wow, so easy! I didn’t have cashews, so I used peanuts. Still turned out great!
I can’t believe you used peanuts! Is that even the same? I guess it can work. I’ll try it my self!
Nice twist! Peanuts have more crunch, must be good! Gonna try this with my kids. Thanks for sharing!
Loved this! The sauce is super flavorful and the ginger/garlic combo really pops. I added a little chili paste and it was even better.
Disaster! I burned the chicken and the sauce didn’t thicken. Couldn’t even eat it. What a mess.
Stir-fry is always nice but I could make it better. Sorry, just my opinion.
Pretty good! Way better than takeout. Will definitely add to my dinner rotation.
I made it without chicken and just used veggies. Was still tasty, but idk if that’s the same?
Easy recipe but chicken dissappeared on my plate. LOL. Next time, more chicken! ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I found it a bit bland. Needs more seasoning or spice.
This dish was absolutely delicious! The combination of flavors really works well together. Can’t wait to make it again!
This is fantastic! I love how quick it is to prepare and it tastes amazing. My family gobbled it up! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Yum! But soy sauce is too salty for my taste. Next time I’ll use less. It’s still a good recipe tho.
I dunno, it seems too sweet with the honey. Maybe I’ll try less next time.
Less honey? Why not just use sugar instead? That’s what I do for everything!
I think the honey adds a nice touch! But if you prefer less sweetness, just adjust to your taste. Cooking is all about experimenting!
This was amazing! The honey gave it such a nice touch. I added some chili flakes for heat. Will make again!
Didn’t turn out like I thought. Hard to get chicken cooked evenly. Might look for another recipe next time. ⭐⭐
Not bad but also not mindblowing. The spinach disappeared (as expected) but I wish there was more veggie volume. Cashews were a nice crunch.
I think it needed salt or something…altough it does taste nice, just felt missing a little something.
Thought it might be too sweet, but it balanced out with the sesame oil. Also 5-6 min for chicken strips is perfect if you slice them thin.
It’s all good except the cashews were sooo salty! I’ll skip them next time.
Perfect! So easy to follow. Great for a quick dinner. Will make again!
Why do you have to whisk? Just pour everything in the pan, it’ll taste the same!
This dish was AMAZING! The flavors were on point. My family loved it!
Great! Made it for my family and they loved it! Even my picky eater. Lol.
I wouldn’t recommend using too much garlic. It was good, but a little garlicky for my liking!
Pretty good weeknight meal. I used dark soy sauce and it got a bit too salty for me, so I’ll adjust next time. Still, the cashews were a nice touch.
Glad you liked it! Dark soy can be saltier and a bit thicker—next time you could try light soy or cut the amount and taste the sauce mixture before adding it back in.
I don’t like spinach, so I substituted it with broccoli. Still turned out pretty good!
Soy good! 💖
Too many ingredients. I prefer simpler recipes. Just chicken and rice for me!
I don’t understand why people like stir-fry, it’s just a bunch of veggies mixed, looks gross. 🤢
I get what you mean, but stir-frying can actually make veggies taste amazing! Give it another chance! 🍽️
I don’t like spinach so I used broccoli, it worked fine! Not sure if it’s the same though… lol.
Broccoli is great too! I sometimes swap it in my recipes. 😊
Not a fan. The sweet and savory combo didn’t work for me. Maybe it’s just my taste.
My pan got a bit crowded so the chicken steamed instead of browning. Maybe I should have cooked it in batches. Flavor is good regardless.
Made this tonight and it was a big hit—sticky-sweet glaze with the garlic/ginger flavor really came through. I used chicken thighs instead and it still worked great.
I’m skeptical it could be that “sticky-sweet” with only soy sauce and honey—did you reduce the sauce at all? Mine tasted kinda flat, maybe I need more honey.
So glad it worked for you! The honey/soy + garlic/ginger combo really does make that glaze super glossy—nice move using thighs too.
I was skeptical about the honey + soy combo but wow. Sweet-salty balance is spot on. Cashews add a nice crunch too.
One time I made something like this and it was soggy. This recipe maybe needs less spinach time… also my honey clumped up in the garlic.
2/5, didn’t turn out as good as expected. Maybe I messed up the steps?
I don’t know, it seemed kinda bland to me. I added some chili flakes for heat, but it was just okay.
It was okay, but I think it needed more flavor. I would put more garlic next time.
I totally agree! More garlic would kick it up a notch. Have you tried adding some chili flakes too? That might help with the flavor!
I dunno, garlic’s good but too much can make it taste funny, you know? Maybe sauce ratios matter more. It’s okay as it is.
This recipe is a total hit! The flavors were amazing and it was super quick to make. Will be making this again!
I dunno man, I tried it but the chicken was kinda dry. Maybe I overcooked it? Not sure if I will make it again.
Maybe try cooking it for a little less time next time? Chicken can dry out fast if overdone. I’ve had great results with this recipe, love the flavor!
It was okay, but I think the sauce needed something… maybe more soy? 🤔
Not bad, but I’m confused—when you add the sauce mixture, do you add all of it? I kinda spilled and it got watery. Taste was still okay.
Never thought to put cashews in a stir-fry. What a good idea!
I know right? Cashews add such a nice crunch! 🥜
Followed the recipe 100% and it was a total mess! Chicken was undercooked, not sure what I did wrong.
I don’t know, man. How can you call it a mess? Sounds like you might not be cookin’ it right. I made this and it came out great!
Did you make sure to cook the chicken all the way through? Sometimes cut size can affect cooking time. Maybe give it a bit more time next time!
Instructions were a bit confusing, what’s sesame oil? 🤷♂️ Can you use olive oil? Anyway, turned out alright.
Made this for dinner and it was gone in minutes! Yum!
I tried it but my chicken was too dry. What did I do wrong?
Glad you enjoyed it! This recipe is a keeper!
Delicious! I added some extra veggies like broccoli and it was great. Love how healthy it is!
Very simple to make. My husband usually doesn’t eat spinach but he finished his plate, which is a win!
I love that this is healthy and quick! Great for a busy weeknight dinner!
Too much soy sauce for me! Made it kinda salty. I’ll cut back next time.
Not bad, but I think 2 tbsp soy sauce is too much for me. Also sesame oil can get overpowering fast—use less if you’re sensitive.
I don’t know about this, I’m not a fan of soy sauce. Maybe it could be good without it?
You could try using a different sauce, like teriyaki or even a mix of olive oil and lemon! I think makin’ it without soy sauce can work too.
Followed it pretty closely. Sauce was flavorful but next time I’ll reduce it a minute longer so it clings more. Still really good with rice.
Nice! I’ve found a minute more simmer on the sauce helps it coat better too—totally agree. Glad it worked great with rice!
I’m not a big fan of soy sauce. Could I replace it with something else? Maybe teriyaki? 🤔
Very good, but I think I put too much honey. It was sweet almost like candy! Still, not bad at all.
So good!!
Right?! The soy-honey glaze is seriously addictive—glad you loved it!
Delish!! 🥳 I added some chili flakes for a kick and it was a hit at my dinner party! Definitely making again.
This was super easy and tasty! My kids loved it. Definitely making this again.
OMG this is amazing! I added some sriracha for a kick and it was perfect! 🔥
I was skeptical at first, but this actually turned out pretty good! Did use a bit more sauce though.
It tasted ok but I think it needed more soy sauce. Also, isn’t honey a bit weird in stir-fry? Just saying.
I think honey adds a nice sweetness, balancing the soy sauce. You gotta try it! But yeah, maybe a bit more soy wouldn’t hurt.
Easy and quick! Perfect for a weeknight dinner. My kids loved it. I might add some pineapple next time for sweetness!
The recipe is okay, but I prefer chicken cooked differently. Not mad tho.
I totally get you! Everyone has their own taste. You should try a roasted chicken recipe instead. Those flavors are so different! 😋
But it’s so tasty! The sauce makes the chicken really flavorful! You should give it another shot, maybe with a different cooking method?
This turned out so flavorful! The honey/soy combo is legit and the ginger really pops. I served it over rice and it was gone fast.
I couldn’t find ginger, so I used ground ginger, still tasted fine to me.
This was easy and yummy. I don’t usually cook stir-fries, but following the steps worked. The spinach wilted fast and the red pepper stayed crunchy-ish.
This recipe is AMAZING! The flavors blend so well together. Will make this again!
My kids loved it! I left out the cashews cause one is allergic, but still turned out great. Thanks for sharing!
Sounds good, but did you really need the cashews? Seems like they could’ve added some crunch. Anyway, I’m not a fan of spinach.
So glad to hear that! My kids loved it too, even my picky eater! I might try leaving out the cashews next time as well.
Meh, it’s just chicken and veggies? Didn’t impress me. The flavor feels basic. Should’ve added more spices or something.
Tasted too sweet for my liking, especially with the honey. Next time I’ll cut the honey in half.
I actually loved the sweetness! Maybe try a different brand of honey next time? Some are sweeter than others.
Soy sauce and honey? This better not taste like dessert!!
Dessert? Are you serious? I’ve made this before, it’s savory and delicious, not sweet like cake. 😂
Trust me, it’s not dessert! The soy and honey balance each other out and give it a great flavor. You’ll love it!
I’m skeptical about using honey + soy without making it gummy, but it actually worked. Stir-frying helped. Great balance of sweet/savory.
Eh, kind of bland for me. Needs more spice if you ask me.
Did you really add 2 cups of spinach? That seems like a lot! Lol
Yum! Love the crunch from the cashews. 👌
Easy weeknight recipe, and the timing is pretty accurate. I used a little extra garlic because I’m that person 😅
Yes!! Extra garlic is always the correct choice 😄 The sauce sounds perfectly balanced—sweet from the honey and savory from the soy.
I tried this but my chicken took way longer than 5-6 min—maybe my pan was too cool? Still tasted good though. Next time I’ll keep the heat higher and not overcook the spinach.
I don’t understand why you use honey in this recipe. Isn’t soy already sweet? Kinda unnecessary.
OMG, this is the best! The sweet and salty combo is amazing! ❤️
yum! but I forgot the cashews, lol! still turned out good, next time I’ll try it with.
Woah, too much soy sauce for my taste! I think it needs less. The honey is good tho. 🍯
I disagree! The soy sauce is what makes it taste so good! Maybe you just need to balance it with more veggies.
Less soy sauce? But it’s a soy-glazed recipe! I love honey too, but you can’t just skip on soy…
This was like… kinda sweet? The soy + honey is too much for my taste. Would be better if you cut honey in half (or use less).
Totally fair—this glaze definitely leans sweet with 2 tbsp honey. I usually start by cutting the honey down to 1 tbsp (or even less) if I’m not in a sweet-salty mood. Glad you said something!
I liked the texture with the cashews and green onions. However, 5-6 minutes for chicken might be short depending on how thick your strips are.
Pretty good, but I think it could use more veggies. Also, the cashews just didn’t mix well for me. I’ll try it again without them. ⭐⭐⭐
Pretty solid weeknight meal. I used tamari instead of soy sauce and it was still great. Took a bit longer to cook my chicken strips, but the glaze turned nice and sticky.
Can I use broccoli instead of spinach? I don’t really like spinach. Also can I skip the cashews?
I tried this recipe but my chicken turned out a bit dry. Any tips?
Amazing recipe, but I think you forgot the amount of sesame oil in the instructions?
You’re right! I didn’t see the sesame oil amount either. Thanks for catching that!
Too much soy sauce for my taste! Made it way too salty. 😕
Looks good, but where’s the rice? You have to have rice with stir fry! 🙁
I totally agree! Rice is a must with stir fry. Can’t imagine having it without! 🙄
This was so delicious! The flavors were amazing, I will definitely make it again. 😊
Quick and easy! Loved it! I’m not a big cook, but this was manageable. My kids ate it all!
Not gonna lie, I thought it would be bland since there’s no chili or anything. But it was balanced—could use more heat if you like spicy.
5 stars all the way! My kids loved it! Even my picky eater finished his plate!
That’s awesome! I love when recipes are a hit with kids. Gonna try this for my family too!
Wow. Just… wow. The sauce is sweet/salty perfect. I already put it on my repeat list.
I made this last night but forgot the cashews. So sad! 😢
Oh no! The cashews really add that crunchy goodness. Maybe try it again with them? It’ll be better! 😊
How could you forget the cashews? They are so important! But I’m sure it was still good without them. 🤷♂️
I tried this with tofu instead of chicken. Still yummy but might not be as good as with chicken! 👀
Tofu is a great substitute! It’s awesome that you made it work. 😊
I’m not usually a stir-fry person, but the combo of soy + honey is solid. Cashews gave it a nice crunch. Would make again.
Totally get that—soy + honey is a great combo. The cashews make it feel like more than just a basic stir-fry. I’ve made something similar and it’s one of those “quick but not boring” dinners. 👍
This turned out way better than I expected—sticky-sweet glaze on the chicken and the spinach actually stayed bright. I did add a tiny pinch of chili flakes for fun.
Glad it worked for you! The chili flakes sounds like a great tweak—soy + honey glaze can use a little heat. Did you reduce the sauce at all or keep it as written?
I don’t know… my sauce separated a bit when I added it back. I had to keep stirring a lot. Tasted okay though.
This is my kind of recipe—simple and fast. I meal-prepped it and it reheats nicely. Would totally make again.
Looks tasty, but I’m wondering—2 tbsp soy sauce + 2 tbsp honey seems kinda sweet to me? Still might be good with less honey. Anyone tried it with half the honey?
Yes!! I love when a stir-fry is quick and reheats well—this sounds exactly like my weeknight go-to. The honey-soy combo is so good too.
Oh man, the sesame oil smell when it hits the pan—wow. I served it with rice and my whole family ate without complaining lol. Only downside: I ran out of cashews.
Wow, this was super easy to make. My kids ate it all up, even the veggies!
Really? Veggies? I find that hard to believe, kids can be picky. Did you bribe them or somethin’?
That’s awesome! I’m glad your kids enjoyed it. It’s always a win when they eat their veggies!
Tried this tonight and it came out really flavorful. The honey/soy combo is perfect and the ginger actually tastes fresh—not overpowering. I added a pinch of chili flakes too. Will make again!
Not bad, but I feel like I messed up somewhere in the steps. Mine didn’t look like the picture.
Maybe you cooked the chicken too long or not enough? It can be tricky! But hey, at least it tasted good, right?
Don’t worry! Sometimes it just takes a bit of practice. Did you follow all the steps exactly? The sauce really makes a difference!
Can you sub chicken with beef? Asking for a friend.
Sure, but beef might change the taste a bit! Just adjust cooking time.
I followed it mostly, but my sauce got a bit too thick and sticky. Maybe I cooked it too long at the end—still tasted good though.
Wow so good. I overcooked my chicken slightly but the glaze saved it lol. I served over rice and it was gone fast.
Hmm I don’t know about honey + soy together, feels like it could get sticky/burn easy. Do you lower the heat when you add the sauce mix?
This makes me feel better—I’ve totally overcooked chicken before and the glaze usually rescues it 😂 Serving it over rice is the move too.
Pretty tasty, but I felt like it needed a pinch of chili flakes or black pepper. The honey + soy combo is nice though—easy weeknight meal.
Not bad but I expected the chicken to be more sticky/glazed. Maybe I didn’t reduce the sauce enough—mine stayed kind of thin.
The ginger flavor was strong (in a good way). Next time I might double the veggies like broccoli or snap peas because the pan felt a little crowded.
I’m skeptical about 2 tbsp honey—felt like it might be too sweet. It wasn’t awful, but I’d cut it to 1 tbsp. Also cashews made it a little richer than I expected.
I actually liked the 2 tbsp honey! It caramelizes a bit and makes the sauce glossy. Cashews were a surprise but in a good way—adds crunch and buttery flavor.
Totally get that—2 tbsp honey is pretty bold for a stir-fry. I’ve done 1 tbsp before and it tastes way more “savory” than “dessert-y.” Cashews giving it a richer vibe checks out too.
Could you try adding mushrooms? I bet it’d be even better. This recipe is already close to my go-to stir-fry.
Carrot?? Who eats that?!
Carrots are actually really good for you! They add a nice crunch too. Give it a try!
I dunno, carrots just seem so weird to me. Can’t you just leave them out?
My spinach went from fresh to sad really quickly. Next time I’ll add it later or use higher heat—overall still decent.
I followed it pretty closely, but my sauce got a little too thick and stuck to the pan. Next time I’ll lower heat and maybe add a splash of water/stock.
Easy to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Easy and fast. My kids actually ate the spinach lol.
Couldn’t find sesame oil so I used olive oil. Big mistake lol. The flavor was totally different, but I’ll try again with sesame oil.