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
Scale
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.
