Description

Honey Sesame Chicken is a delightful dish featuring tender, bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a crispy cornstarch crust and tossed in a luscious, sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. This simple and quick recipe combines the perfect balance of honey’s sweetness, soy sauce’s umami, and a touch of rice vinegar’s tanginess, finished with aromatic garlic, ginger, and toasted sesame seeds. Ideal for a family dinner or weeknight meal, it pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or vegetables.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/4 cup cornstarch
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)

Sauce

1/3 cup honey
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1 tbsp water (optional, for thinning)

Garnish

1 tbsp sesame seeds
2-3 green onions, chopped

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season them lightly with salt and pepper to taste. Then toss the pieces thoroughly in cornstarch until each piece is fully coated, which helps achieve a crispy crust when cooked.
Cook the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cornstarch-coated chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook each batch for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove each batch and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, stir together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to combine and allow the sauce to thicken slightly. If the sauce is too thick, add up to 1 tablespoon of water to adjust the consistency.
Coat the Chicken: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet and toss well in the honey sesame sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the flavorful glaze.
Serve: Transfer the glazed honey sesame chicken to a serving dish. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added texture and fresh flavor. Serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite side dishes.

Notes

For crispier chicken, ensure the oil is hot enough before adding the chicken but not smoking.
You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier result.
The sauce can be adjusted for sweetness or tang by modifying honey or rice vinegar amounts.
Use low-sodium soy sauce if watching salt intake.
This dish pairs excellently with steamed broccoli or snap peas for a balanced meal.