Description
This Honey Sesame Chicken recipe offers a deliciously sticky and savory Asian-inspired dish made with tender bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy honey sesame sauce. Perfect for a quick stovetop meal, it combines classic flavors like garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and honey, finished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh green onions. Serve it over steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch (for slurry)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and black pepper until they are evenly coated. This coating will help the chicken get crispy when cooked.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat to medium in the same skillet and add sesame oil, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger. Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then stir in the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and ketchup to combine the sauce ingredients.
- Thicken the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together water and 1 teaspoon cornstarch to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the skillet with the sauce and cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Combine Chicken with Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it in the thickened sauce until every piece is coated evenly. Cook for an additional minute to heat through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the coated chicken. Serve immediately, ideally over steamed white rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute tamari for soy sauce and ensure you use gluten-free ketchup.
- Serve this chicken dish over steamed white rice or with your choice of stir-fried or steamed vegetables for a balanced meal.
- You can use either chicken thighs or breasts, but thighs tend to remain juicier and more flavorful.
- Adjust the amount of honey if you prefer a less sweet sauce.
