Easy Honey Sesame Chicken
This Honey Sesame Chicken recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal in your own kitchen. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce, creating a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for weeknights.
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Small bowl
- Large Skillet or Wok
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Spoon
- Wire rack or plate lined with paper towels
- serving plate
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, for frying
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, for garnish
- Chopped green onions, for garnish optional
- Cooked rice or noodles, for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, add the beaten egg.
- Add the chicken pieces to the egg and toss to coat.
- Transfer the chicken to the cornstarch mixture and toss until fully coated.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Work in batches if necessary.
- Fry the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- While the chicken is frying, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to create a slurry.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat.
- Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the sauce, whisking constantly to prevent lumps.
- Continue to simmer the sauce for 1-2 minutes, or until it has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Add the fried chicken to the saucepan with the Honey Sesame sauce.
- Toss to coat the chicken evenly in the sauce.
- Continue to cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize slightly.
- Remove from heat and transfer the Honey Sesame Chicken to a serving plate.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions (optional).
- Serve immediately over rice or noodles.
Notes
For a healthier option, bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your liking. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed for the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This recipe is also delicious with tofu, shrimp, cauliflower, or broccoli. Try adding sriracha or gochujang for a spicier version.