Description
Honey Sesame Chicken is a quick and flavorful Asian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory sauce made with honey, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this recipe combines crispy pan-cooked chicken with a luscious glaze, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, served over steamed rice for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon water
Garnishes and Serving
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Cooked white or brown rice, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until they are evenly coated. This helps to create a crispy exterior when cooked.
- Cook the chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken pieces and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure all sides become golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
- Make the sauce: While the chicken is cooking, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ketchup, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and water in a small bowl until well combined.
- Add sauce to chicken: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
- Simmer and thicken: Allow the mixture to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats each piece of chicken generously.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the chicken. Serve the honey sesame chicken hot over cooked white or brown rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Chicken breast can be used instead of thighs if you prefer a leaner option.
- Add steamed broccoli or snow peas to the dish for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the sodium content.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red chili flakes to the sauce.
