If you love meals that come together quickly but deliver big on flavor, then you are going to adore this Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe. It perfectly balances the sweetness of honey with the nutty richness of sesame, creating a sauce that clings beautifully to tender, juicy chicken pieces. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or impressing friends with a homemade Asian-inspired dish, this recipe offers a delightful combination of savory, sweet, and tangy notes that simply can’t be missed. Get ready to add a new favorite to your dinner rotation!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These straightforward ingredients are the heart and soul of the dish, each playing a crucial role in bringing out the authentic taste, appealing texture, and inviting color of the final meal.
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Perfect for juicy, flavorful bites that remain tender after cooking.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch: Helps create that irresistible crispy coating on the chicken when cooked.
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil: For frying the chicken evenly without overpowering the delicate flavors.
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce: Adds savory depth and umami without being too salty.
- 3 tablespoons honey: Gives the sauce its signature natural sweetness and glossy finish.
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar: Balances sweetness with a mild tang that brightens the dish.
- 1 tablespoon ketchup: Brings a subtle acidity and richness, enhancing the sauce’s complexity.
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil: Infuses the dish with that wonderfully toasty, nutty aroma.
- 2 cloves garlic (minced): For a punch of fragrant savory flavor that complements the sauce.
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger: Adds a fresh, zesty warmth to the mix.
- 1 tablespoon water: Helps thin the sauce just enough to coat the chicken beautifully.
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds: Sprinkled on top for an extra crunch and visual appeal.
- 2 green onions (sliced): Provide a fresh, mild onion flavor and lovely green color.
- Cooked white or brown rice: Ideal for serving, soaking up all that delicious sauce.
How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Coat the Chicken
Start by tossing the bite-sized chicken thighs with cornstarch until every piece has a nice, even coating. This step ensures the chicken will get that perfect light crispiness once cooked and also helps the sauce cling beautifully later on.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces and cook them for about 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. This searing creates a fantastic texture contrast that makes the dish so satisfying.
Step 3: Whisk the Sauce
While the chicken cooks, mix together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ketchup, sesame oil, minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and water in a small bowl. This blend of ingredients creates the luscious honey sesame sauce that is both sweet and tangy, with just the right hint of savory complexity.
Step 4: Combine and Simmer
Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the chicken and stir well to coat every piece evenly. Let everything simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and generously coats the chicken, creating a mouthwatering glaze that looks as good as it tastes.
Step 5: Garnish and Finish
Finally, sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the chicken for added crunch and fresh flavor. Serve your Honey Sesame Chicken hot, ideally over a steaming bed of white or brown rice to soak up that irresistible sauce.
How to Serve Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Simple additions like toasted sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions add not only vibrant color but also layers of texture and flavor. A little extra crunch and the fresh bite of green onions elevate the dish and make every bite exciting.
Side Dishes
This Honey Sesame Chicken pairs beautifully with steamed or fried rice to keep things classic. For a nutritious boost, consider adding a side of steamed broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy which complements the sweet and savory sauce wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
Step up your presentation game by serving the chicken in a colorful bowl with a sprinkle of crushed peanuts or even a drizzle of sriracha for a spicy twist. You can also pile the chicken atop a crisp bed of fresh greens for a refreshing salad version that’s perfect for lighter meals.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, place your Honey Sesame Chicken into an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious for up to 3 days, making it an excellent option for meal prep or quick lunches during busy weeks.
Freezing
This dish freezes well if you want to save it for later. Transfer cooled chicken along with its sauce into a freezer-safe container or bag. For best quality, consume within 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain the perfect texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much to help it loosen and coat the chicken smoothly again. Avoid overheating to keep the chicken tender and juicy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts can be used if you prefer leaner meat, although thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful in this recipe.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, simply swap the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos. The rest of the ingredients are naturally free of gluten.
Can I make this recipe vegan or vegetarian?
You can substitute tofu or cauliflower for the chicken and keep all other ingredients the same for a tasty plant-based variation.
How spicy is this dish?
This Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe is mild and sweet by nature, making it family-friendly. You can always add chili flakes or a touch of sriracha to spice things up.
What’s the best way to cook the chicken for crispiness?
Coating the chicken in cornstarch before cooking and using medium-high heat in the skillet helps achieve a delightfully crispy exterior without deep frying.
Final Thoughts
This Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe is a lovely blend of ease and elegance that deserves a spot in your cooking repertoire. Every bite offers a comforting burst of balanced flavors and inviting textures, making dinner something to look forward to. Once you try it, I’m confident it’ll become one of your go-to dishes too!
Print
Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
Honey Sesame Chicken is a quick and flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory sauce made with honey, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe combines crispy pan-cooked chicken with a luscious glaze, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, served over steamed rice for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon water
Garnishes and Serving
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Cooked white or brown rice, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until they are evenly coated. This helps to create a crispy exterior when cooked.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure all sides become golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
- Make the sauce: While the chicken is cooking, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ketchup, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and water in a small bowl until well combined.
- Add sauce to chicken: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
- Simmer and thicken: Allow the mixture to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats each piece of chicken generously.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the chicken. Serve the honey sesame chicken hot over cooked white or brown rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Chicken breast can be used instead of thighs if you prefer a leaner option.
- Add steamed broccoli or snow peas to the dish for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the sodium content.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red chili flakes to the sauce.
