There’s something special about a homemade meal that’s quick to make. Our easy honey sesame chicken recipe combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. It’s perfect for dinner, with tender chicken and a delicious honey sesame glaze.
This dish fills your kitchen with amazing smells. It’s simple for a weeknight but fancy enough for guests. Let’s explore this tasty recipe together.
Cooking brings people together. It makes memories, tells stories, and delights with flavors. All in your own home.
Key Takeaways
- This honey sesame chicken recipe is quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights.
- The dish balances sweet and savory flavors, appealing to a wide range of palates.
- You can customize the recipe by adding spices, vegetables, or swapping proteins.
- Leftovers can be stored separately for up to three days, maintaining freshness.
- It’s an ideal dish to impress family and friends without spending all day in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This honey sesame chicken is a hit at any meal. It’s sweet and sticky, with a savory and tangy twist. It’s perfect for any occasion or a quick dinner.
Sweet, savory, and slightly tangy—perfectly balanced
The flavors in this dish are amazing. Honey’s sweetness, soy sauce’s savory taste, and sesame oil’s tanginess work together beautifully. It’s a flavor mix that everyone loves.
Crispy chicken with a luscious honey sesame glaze
The crispy chicken and the honey sesame glaze are the dish’s highlights. Each bite is a mix of crunch and flavor. It’s great with rice or noodles.
Quick to prepare and ideal for weeknight dinners
This recipe is quick and easy for busy nights. It’s ready in no time, making it perfect for a fast, satisfying meal.
Customizable: add spice, veggies, or change protein
You can make this dish your own. Add spices, veggies, or try different proteins. It’s always new and exciting.
Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Starting your journey to make perfect crispy honey sesame chicken is easy. First, gather all the ingredients you need. This recipe is simple, letting you enjoy a tasty honey sesame chicken stir fry at home. Just follow these steps and enjoy the delicious taste of this easy dish.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ green onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup honey
- 2.5 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoon Shaoxing Cooking Wine
- 2 teaspoon rice vinegar
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
Tips & Variations
Want to make your savory honey sesame chicken even better? Try these simple tips to make it your own.
Spicy version: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha
For a spicy twist, add red pepper flakes or sriracha. It gives your homemade honey sesame chicken a bold kick. This makes the sesame chicken with honey glaze even more flavorful.
Protein swap: Try chicken breasts, tofu, or shrimp
Change up the protein to suit your taste or dietary needs. Chicken breasts, tofu, or shrimp are all great choices. They add variety to your savory honey sesame chicken.
Veggie booster: Toss in broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas
Adding fresh veggies boosts nutrition and taste. Try broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas. They add color and flavor to your homemade honey sesame chicken.
Sauce tweaks: Adjust sweetness (honey/sugar) or acidity (vinegar)
Customize your sauce to your liking. Adjust the honey or sugar for sweetness. A bit of vinegar can add a tangy touch to your sesame chicken with honey glaze.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoying your delicious honey sesame chicken is more than just eating the main dish. Adding sides that complement it brings out the flavors and makes the meal complete.
Perfect over steamed rice or noodles
Try serving the honey sesame chicken over steamed rice or noodles. This lets the sticky glaze soak in, adding more flavor to each bite. The softness of rice or noodles pairs well with the sweet dish.
Pair with sautéed vegetables or a crisp salad
For a balanced meal, add sautéed vegetables or a fresh salad. These colorful veggies add vitamins and crunch, balancing the chicken’s rich taste. A light salad can also make the meal more enjoyable.
Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro
To make your dish look and taste better, add toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro. This simple step adds a nice texture and a burst of color. It makes your honey sesame chicken even more appealing.
| Serving Option | Flavor Enhancement | Texture |
|---|---|---|
| Steamed Rice | Absorbs glaze | Soft and fluffy |
| Noodles | Complements sweetness | Chewy and satisfying |
| Sautéed Vegetables | Adds freshness | Crispy and colorful |
| Crisp Salad | Balances richness | Crunchy and refreshing |
| Toasted Sesame Seeds | Enhances flavor | Nutty crunch |
| Fresh Cilantro | Brightens up | Fragrant leaves |
Make-Ahead & Storage
Preparing homemade honey sesame chicken is easy when you plan ahead. Start by marinating the chicken and coating it in cornstarch before cooking. This saves time and lets the flavors meld together.
Prep ahead: Marinate and coat chicken in advance
Marinate the chicken in your favorite sauce a few hours before cooking. Then, coat it in cornstarch to keep it crispy. This step boosts the taste and texture of your meal.
Storing: Keep sauce and chicken separate in airtight containers for up to 3 days
Store leftovers by separating the sauce and chicken in airtight containers. This keeps the chicken crunchy and preserves the dish’s quality for up to three days.
Reheat: Warm in skillet over low heat to maintain crispiness
To enjoy your leftovers, reheat the chicken in a skillet over low heat. This method keeps it crispy, so every bite tastes fresh.
Conclusion
The honey sesame chicken recipe is a delightful mix of flavors. It’s easy to make and very tasty. This dish is perfect for weeknight dinners because of its sweet and savory taste.
You can make this dish your own by trying different proteins or adding more spice. It’s a great way to get creative in the kitchen. This lets you make a meal that everyone will love.
Trying this recipe means you can enjoy great flavors at home. It’s as easy as it is delicious. Making honey sesame chicken makes any dinner special.
But your culinary adventure doesn’t have to stop here. If you loved the sweet and savory balance of this recipe, you’ll definitely want to try our Homemade Orange Chicken—another classic with a citrusy punch. Craving something with a fruity kick? Our Chinese-Style Mango Chicken Stir Fry adds a tropical twist to familiar stir-fry techniques, offering a colorful and tangy profile.
For a touch of heat, consider the bold flavors in our Lemon Pepper Wings with Honey or add some red pepper flakes to this dish for a spicy version that’ll warm you from the inside out. You can also explore our Black Pepper Chicken for another protein-packed dinner that’s loaded with umami.
If honey-based dishes are your thing, don’t miss the buttery richness of our Honey Butter Chicken—a creamy, comforting option for both kids and adults. Or switch gears entirely and try the Hawaiian-inspired Huli Huli Chicken, a sweet and smoky grilled favorite that’s perfect for summer nights or weekend gatherings.
Honey Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ½ green onion finely chopped
- Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- 2.5 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon sesame oil
- ½ tablespoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoon Shaoxing Cooking Wine
- 2 teaspoon rice vinegar
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix all the sauce ingredients and set aside.
- Cut chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces and place them in a large bowl. Season with salt.
- Coat the chicken with cornstarch, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Add more cornstarch if needed. Set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken in batches until golden and crispy, about 6-8 minutes total, flipping halfway. Transfer to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate.
- Discard excess oil from the pan and pour in the sauce. Simmer until thickened.
- Add the fried chicken to the sauce, coating evenly. Remove from heat. Garnish with green onions. Enjoy!
Notes
For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
