Get ready for crispy Honey Sesame Chicken that’s better than takeout and surprisingly simple to make. These golden, crunchy chicken bites are coated in a sweet, garlicky sesame sauce and finished with sesame seeds—perfect for weeknights and kid-approved.
I love sesame chicken from takeout, but picking up food can be a hassle on busy nights. After some experimenting I recreated that familiar flavor at home—with a sauce that really makes the dish. It comes together quickly and tastes even better than the restaurant version.
Why You’ll Love This Sesame Chicken Recipe
- Better Than Takeout: After testing, this version rivals and even improves on the classic sesame chicken you order. It’s crispy, flavorful, and a family favorite.
- Irresistible Sauce: The sticky, sweet, and slightly tangy sesame sauce is the star. It coats the chicken beautifully and is great on rice, vegetables, or anything you want to elevate.
- Family-Friendly: This recipe is a hit with kids and picky eaters—once they try it, they’re hooked.
What You’ll Need
With a handful of everyday ingredients you can make this sesame chicken at home. Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
For the Chicken
- Chicken breasts: boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch cubes.
- Eggs: beaten to make the dredge.
- Flour and cornstarch for a light, crunchy coating.
- Oil for frying.
For the Sesame Sauce
- Honey for sweetness and shine.
- Soy sauce: low-sodium or tamari recommended so you can control saltiness.
- Sesame oil for a toasty finish.
- Rice wine vinegar to balance the sweetness.
- Brown sugar for depth.
- Garlic: fresh and minced for bright flavor.
- Sesame seeds for garnish.
How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken
- Prep: Beat the eggs in a bowl. Combine flour and cornstarch on a plate to create a dredging station.
- Dredge and Fry: Heat about 3 inches of oil in a deep frying pan. Dip each chicken piece in the beaten eggs, then coat in the flour-cornstarch mix. Fry in batches for 4–5 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain briefly on paper towels.
- Make the Sauce: While the chicken fries, combine honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, and minced garlic in a pan over medium heat. Whisk, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Toss and Serve: Remove the sauce from heat, pour it over the fried chicken, toss to coat, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve immediately over rice or with vegetables.
Tips and Tricks
Small adjustments can boost flavor and texture.
- Thicken the sauce: Mix ½ tablespoon cornstarch with ½ tablespoon cold water, then whisk into the simmering sauce and heat until thickened.
- Add extra flavor: Sprinkle sliced scallions or chopped parsley on top before serving.
- Use different cuts: Boneless skinless thighs work well too—cut uniformly and add a minute to the frying time if needed.
- Make it spicy: Stir in sweet chili sauce or red pepper flakes for heat.
What to Serve With Sesame Chicken
This dish pairs perfectly with long-grain white rice like Jasmine or Basmati, steamed or roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. Tossing vegetables in the sauce with the chicken is an easy way to get greens on the plate.
Other serving ideas:
- Rice noodles with steamed veggies.
- Quinoa and vegetables for a protein boost.
- Zucchini noodles for a lower-carb option.
- Cauliflower rice as a lighter alternative.
- Serve the chicken as appetizer bites with toothpicks.
- Top an Asian-inspired salad with the sauced chicken.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3–5 days.
- To reheat, warm gently in a pan over medium-low heat. If the sauce has thickened, thin it with a splash of soy sauce and rice wine vinegar and simmer until heated through.
- This recipe freezes well for meal prep. Cool to room temperature, transfer to a freezer-safe container, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw before reheating.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders
- Poppy Seed Chicken
- Buffalo Chicken Wrap
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4.60 from 10 votes
Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken
by Katerina | Easy Weeknight Recipes
Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken that’s better than takeout and easy to prepare. Crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet, garlic-forward sauce and finished with sesame seeds.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- oil for frying
For the Honey Sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup sesame seeds, for garnish
Instructions
-
Place eggs in a bowl and stir with a fork until blended.
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Combine flour and cornstarch on a plate and stir together until incorporated.
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Heat about 3 inches of oil in a deep frying pan.
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Dip each piece of chicken in the egg mixture, then coat in the flour mixture.
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Add chicken to the hot oil and cook 4–5 minutes, until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
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Meanwhile, prepare the honey sauce.
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In a pan over medium heat combine honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, and garlic. Whisk to combine.
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Bring sauce to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
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Remove from heat and pour the sauce over the chicken. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve.
Notes
For a thicker sauce, mix ½ tablespoon cornstarch with ½ tablespoon cold water, whisk into the sauce, and heat until thickened.
Nutrition
Serving: 4ounces | Calories: 441kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 31g
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Values may vary with ingredient brands and preparation. Use your preferred calculator for precise values.
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