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If you’ve ever found yourself craving that perfect balance between sweet and savory, then this Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen. Picture tender, crispy chicken bites enveloped in a glossy, sticky sauce bursting with honey and a whisper of soy—a flavor combo that’s irresistibly comforting yet delightfully fresh. This dish brings together simple pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients to create that magical, restaurant-quality meal you’ll want to make again and again. Trust me, once you try this Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe, your taste buds will be throwing a party.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe plays an important role—from the crunchy coating on the chicken to the luscious, flavorful sauce. They are straightforward, easy to find, and combine to create layers of taste and texture that are simply unforgettable.
- Chicken breasts: Using boneless, skinless pieces cut into bite-size chunks ensures quick cooking and easy bites.
- Cornstarch: This creates that signature crispy crust on your chicken, locking in juiciness.
- Eggs: They help the coating stick perfectly for frying.
- All-purpose flour: Adds structure to the coating and keeps the texture light.
- Vegetable oil: For frying—enough oil makes sure your chicken gets crisp without absorbing grease.
- Honey: The star ingredient that brings natural sweetness and glossy shine to the sauce.
- Soy sauce: Adds depth and that classic umami flavor in the sauce.
- Ketchup: Balances sweetness with a touch of tang and color.
- Brown sugar: Enhances the caramel notes and rounds out the sauce’s flavor profile.
- Rice vinegar: Injects a subtle acidity to brighten the sauce.
- Sesame oil: Adds a fragrant, nutty aroma that defines the dish.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for pungent, warm flavor.
- Ginger: Fresh grated for a subtle spicy kick and freshness.
- Cornstarch slurry: A mix of cornstarch and water that thickens the sauce to just the right consistency.
- Sesame seeds: Sprinkled on top for crunch and visual appeal.
- Green onions: Freshly sliced, they add a pop of color and mild oniony brightness.
How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Coat the Chicken
Begin by tossing your bite-sized chicken pieces in cornstarch until they’re fully coated. This step is crucial because it creates that irresistible crispiness you want when frying. Next, dip each piece into beaten eggs—this is what helps the flour stick and form a light, crunchy shell.
Step 2: Coat with Flour and Ready to Fry
After the eggs, dredge the chicken in all-purpose flour, making sure every piece is thoroughly coated for that perfect golden crust. This combination of cornstarch, egg, and flour is your secret trio for achieving that amazing texture you’ll love.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or heavy pot until it reaches 350°F. Fry the chicken in small batches so the temperature stays consistent, cooking each piece for 3 to 4 minutes. You’ll want the exterior crispy and golden brown while the inside stays juicy and fully cooked. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Step 4: Make the Honey Sesame Sauce
While your chicken is frying, whisk together honey, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a saucepan. Bring it to a gentle simmer—it should start smelling heavenly here. Next, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a luscious glaze.
Step 5: Toss Chicken in Sauce
Add your crispy chicken bites to the saucepan and toss them gently but thoroughly, ensuring every piece is coated with that glossy, sweet-savory sauce. This step is where the magic happens, making sure every bite bursts with flavor.
How to Serve Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and freshly sliced green onions over the top just before serving. These garnishes add fantastic texture, visual interest, and a fresh pop of flavor that perfectly complements the dish’s richness.
Side Dishes
This Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe shines when served over fluffy steamed white or jasmine rice, allowing the sauce to soak in beautifully. For some extra color and nutrition, steamed broccoli, snap peas, or a medley of sautéed vegetables make excellent sides. Noodles also work perfectly if you’re craving a comforting, hearty plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try serving the chicken in lettuce cups or crunchy taco shells for a handheld treat. You can also turn this into a bowl meal with rice, veggies, and a drizzle of extra sauce for a balanced, visually stunning dinner. Don’t be afraid to add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper or a squeeze of fresh lime to customize the flavor to your liking.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce may thicken and the chicken soften a bit, but it retains delicious flavors that make for a perfect next-day meal or quick lunch.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish, but for best results, freeze the chicken and sauce separately. Store the cooked chicken in a freezer-safe container and the sauce in a sealed jar or bag. Both can last up to 2 months frozen without significant loss of flavor or texture.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to warm evenly and loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the coating soggy. Adding a splash of water or broth might help loosen the sauce and keep the chicken moist during reheating.
FAQs
Can I bake or air-fry the chicken instead of deep-frying?
Absolutely! For a lighter version, baking or air-frying the coated chicken works beautifully. It won’t be quite as crispy as frying, but it still tastes wonderful and cuts down on oil and cleanup.
Is this Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe gluten-free?
The traditional recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as written. However, you can substitute a gluten-free flour blend for the coating and tamari instead of soy sauce to make it safe for gluten sensitivity.
How spicy is this dish?
This recipe is mild in heat, focusing on the sweet and savory balance. You can easily add red pepper flakes or chili sauce if you want to bring in some heat.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Chicken thighs work well and remain juicy due to their higher fat content. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces and follow the same coating and cooking steps.
What can I use instead of ketchup in the sauce?
If you don’t have ketchup, a small amount of tomato paste combined with a bit of sugar and vinegar can be a good substitute. It will still provide that subtle tang and color to the sauce.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have this fantastic Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe in your culinary arsenal, you’re ready to impress family and friends with a meal that’s both comforting and exciting. It’s a perfect weeknight dinner or weekend treat, packed with flavors that bring warmth and joy to the table. Go ahead, give it a try—you might just find yourself making it on repeat!
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Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Description
Honey Sesame Chicken is a delicious Asian-inspired main course featuring crispy fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. This dish combines the perfect balance of honey, soy sauce, and aromatic garlic and ginger, topped with sesame seeds and green onions for a flavorful finish. It’s ideal for a quick and satisfying dinner served over steamed rice or noodles.
Ingredients
Chicken Coating
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil for frying
Sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (cornstarch slurry)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and toss with 1/2 cup cornstarch until evenly coated. Then dip the coated chicken into the beaten eggs, ensuring each piece is fully covered. Finally, dredge the chicken pieces in 1/2 cup all-purpose flour to create a light batter coating.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 3 to 4 minutes each, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the fried chicken using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar and blend flavors.
- Thicken Sauce: Stir in the cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) into the simmering sauce. Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces to the saucepan and toss well to coat each piece evenly with the honey sesame sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the coated chicken to a serving dish, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions. Serve immediately, ideally over steamed rice or noodles with your choice of vegetables.
Notes
- For a lighter version, bake or air-fry the chicken instead of deep-frying. Bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes or air-fry at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Serving the dish over steamed rice or noodles complements the sweet and savory flavors of the sauce.
- Add steamed or stir-fried vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas for a complete meal.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if you prefer juicier meat.
