Description
Honey Sesame Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish featuring crispy chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe combines tender chicken pieces coated in cornstarch, pan-fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a glossy sauce made of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds and green onions, it offers a delicious balance of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (for coating)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)
Honey Sesame Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (use tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced (or ¼ tsp ground ginger)
Garnish
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Green onions, chopped, for garnish (optional)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of spice)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a mixing bowl and toss with cornstarch until evenly coated. This coating helps create a crispy exterior when cooked.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add half of the chicken pieces, avoiding overcrowding, and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside. Repeat the process with the remaining oil and chicken pieces.
- Make the Honey Sesame Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger until fully combined.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour the sauce into the same skillet over medium heat. Let it simmer for 3–5 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat the pieces evenly in the honey sesame sauce.
- Add Garnishes: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the chicken and stir to combine thoroughly. Optionally garnish with chopped green onions and crushed red pepper flakes for added flavor and color.
- Serve: Serve the honey sesame chicken hot, ideally over steamed rice or alongside your preferred side dishes.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce.
- To add heat, include crushed red pepper flakes as a garnish or in the sauce.
- Toasting the sesame seeds enhances their nutty flavor—toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer juicier meat.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when cooking the chicken to ensure even browning and crispy texture.
