Description
A quick and easy Honey Sesame Chicken recipe that delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a glossy honey sesame sauce with aromatic garlic and ginger, making it a delicious, family-friendly meal ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and versatile enough to serve over rice, noodles, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, for coating
Sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 2 cloves garlic, freshly minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Garnishes
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, freshly chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Toss lightly in cornstarch to create a crispy exterior when cooked.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and vinegar. Pour the sauce into the pan with the cooked chicken and stir well to coat every piece.
- Thicken the Sauce: Lower heat to medium and simmer briefly until the sauce thickens and clings to the chicken. If a thicker sauce is desired, mix cornstarch with water and add to the pan, stirring until the desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the dish right before serving for added crunch, color, and flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic and ginger to elevate the flavor significantly.
- Cook chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan, ensuring even browning.
- Adjust honey quantity gradually to get the perfect sweetness level.
- Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan before garnishing to intensify their nuttiness.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor with glossy, thick sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg