Description
Succulent honey sesame chicken delivers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors from traditional Chinese cuisine. Crispy chicken pieces glazed with golden honey and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds will satisfy your cravings with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (minced or 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger)
Cooking and Garnish Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (toasted)
- Green onions (chopped, for garnish)
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in cornstarch, ensuring each piece is evenly covered for a crispy texture when cooked.
- Preheat a large skillet to medium-high temperature and add vegetable oil.
- Cook chicken in batches to prevent overcrowding, searing each piece for 4-5 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking.
- Remove cooked chicken and set aside on a clean plate.
- Create a vibrant sauce by whisking together honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger until ingredients are fully integrated.
- Reduce sauce in the skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, allowing it to thicken and develop a glossy consistency.
- Reintroduce cooked chicken to the skillet, gently tossing to ensure complete and uniform sauce coverage.
- Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds, stirring to distribute evenly throughout the dish.
- Optional: Enhance flavor profile by garnishing with finely chopped green onions and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for added heat.
- Serve immediately alongside steamed rice or complementary side dishes while hot and fresh.
Notes
- Coating chicken with cornstarch creates an irresistibly crispy texture that locks in moisture and provides a golden-brown exterior.
- Cooking chicken in batches prevents overcrowding, ensuring each piece gets perfectly caramelized and maintains a delightful crunch.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels, making the dish more diet-friendly and adaptable for those watching sodium intake.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and ensure cornstarch is certified gluten-free, allowing everyone to enjoy this delectable meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 405
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 460 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg