Sesame Chicken Recipe

I created a honey sesame chicken recipe that features bite-sized boneless chicken coated in crisp cornstarch goodness and lightly fried. The sauce combines low sodium soy, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger for an irresistible balance. A sprinkling of toasted sesame seeds adds that extra layer of charm to my rendition of a Chinese cooking recipe.

I’ve been working on the perfect recipe that combines a crispy, golden chicken coating with an irresistibly sticky, tangy sauce. The idea came about on a busy day when I wanted to whip up something that felt like homemade Chinese food but without the fuss.

I started with 1 lb boneless chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces, seasoned them with salt and pepper, then tossed them in 1/2 cup cornstarch and dipped them in 2 beaten eggs before frying in vegetable oil. The sauce is a mix of 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce, 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2 cloves garlic, and 1 tsp grated fresh ginger all simmered with a bit of water and a cornstarch slurry.

Once the chicken is coated and crispy i drizzle in 2 tbsp sesame oil and sprinkle 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds to finish it off. Enjoy this fun twist on a quick & easy sesame chicken recipe that’s become a favorite in my rotation.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it’s super simple to make and the result is so rewarding – the chicken comes out crispy and well coated in a sticky, flavorful sauce every time. I also like how the sauce mixes sweet honey with tangy rice vinegar, giving it this awesome balanced flavor that I just can’t get enough of. The garlic and ginger add a little extra kick that makes every bite interesting, and I enjoy that small touch of sesame seeds sprinkled on top for an added crunch. Lastly, I appreciate that I can easily tweak the recipe a bit, like throwing in some green onions if I’m feeling extra fancy, which makes it feel really personal and fun to cook.

Ingredients

• Chicken – Its high in protein which helps build muscles and gives hearty flavor.
• Soy sauce – A low sodium version that adds savory saltiness without overwhelming the dish.
• Honey – Brings a natural sweetness, though its sugary so use it in moderation.
• Sesame seeds – Give a crunchy texture along with healthy fats and a bit of fiber.
• Garlic and Ginger – They add a zesty punch and natural goodness with antioxidants.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (for slurry)
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
• Optional: chopped green onions for garnish

How to Make this

1. Start by seasoning the bite-size chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Then dredge them in 1/2 cup of cornstarch, dip in the 2 beaten eggs, and coat them evenly.

2. Heat enough vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium high heat and fry the chicken until they’re crispy and golden. Remove them with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper towel lined plate.

3. In a bowl, mix together 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce, 1/2 cup honey, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, minced garlic and grated ginger, and 1/2 cup water.

4. Pour 2 tbsp sesame oil into a large pan and heat it over medium flame, then add your sauce mixture.

5. Bring the sauce to a simmer and then stir in the 2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water to make a slurry. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens.

6. Add the fried chicken to the pan with the sticky sauce and toss them together until the chicken is well coated.

7. Sprinkle 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds over the chicken and toss once again.

8. If you like, toss in some chopped green onions for garnish.

9. Serve your sesame chicken hot and enjoy this quick and easy dish that might just become your new fave Chinese recipe.

Equipment Needed

1. A sharp kitchen knife and cutting board for chopping the chicken (and the green onions if you decide to garnish)
2. A couple of mixing bowls – one for coating the chicken with cornstarch and eggs, and another for mixing the sauce ingredients
3. Measuring cups and spoons for accurate amounts of cornstarch, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, water, and sesame oil
4. A whisk or fork to beat the eggs until they’re smooth
5. A deep skillet for frying the chicken in vegetable oil
6. A slotted spoon to remove the fried chicken from the oil and help drain it on a paper towel lined plate
7. A large pan for heating the sesame oil, simmering the sauce, and tossing the chicken in the sticky sauce
8. A small bowl to mix the cornstarch slurry with water before adding it to the sauce

FAQ

Sesame Chicken Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you cant find chicken breast, try using turkey breast or even firm tofu for a tasty twist.
• If you’re out of cornstarch for the coating, you can use all-purpose flour or potato starch instead.
• If you want a different flavor profile or health alternative, substitute vegetable oil with canola or peanut oil.
• If low sodium soy sauce is hard to come by, tamari or coconut aminos make a pretty good alternative.
• If you dont have honey, maple syrup can step in well in this recipe.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your oil is really hot before frying so the chicken gets that perfect crispy outside without soaking up too much oil, ok?
2. When you stir in the slurry, keep stirring steadily so the sauce thickens evenly and doesn’t get lumpy.
3. Toss the chicken one more time in the sauce after adding the sesame seeds and green onions to help lock in that flavor.
4. If you like extra zing, feel free to add a little more garlic or ginger when you’re making the sauce, it can really kick things up a notch.