Description
Honey Sesame Chicken is a quick and delicious dish featuring crispy, tender chicken pieces coated in a glossy, flavorful honey sesame sauce. Perfect for a weekday meal, this recipe balances sweet, savory, and tangy notes, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions for added texture and flavor.
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)
Garnishes
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
- Green onions, chopped (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 to create a crispy exterior when cooking.
- 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. Cook each side for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken and set aside. Repeat the process with the remaining oil and chicken, then set all cooked chicken aside.
- Make the Honey Sesame Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and ginger until well combined. Pour the sauce into the skillet over medium heat and simmer for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the honey sesame sauce. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the mixture and stir well until fully incorporated.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish your dish with chopped green onions and crushed red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot over steamed rice or alongside your favorite side dishes for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of regular soy sauce.
- Do not overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken to ensure a nice crispy texture.
- To toast sesame seeds, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to control the spiciness of the dish.
- This recipe works equally well with chicken thighs or breasts depending on your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
