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Skip Panda Express and make a homemade version of this favorite Chinese takeout dish! This healthy honey sesame chicken recipe combines crispy nuggets of tender chicken, tossed in a sweet and salty honey and soy sauce. Serve over steamed rice with a green veggie side.
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Table of Contents
Honey Sesame Chicken Breast
If your family loves Chinese food, you probably already know that those recipes tend to be packed full of sodium and sugar. Fortunately, making your own healthy honey sesame chicken is so simple!
Start by pan-frying crispy chicken pieces and then create a sweet honey sauce full of bright, tangy flavor. It’s easy enough for busy weeknights and a much healthier option for the entire family!
Healthy Orange Chicken
Why We Love This Healthy Sesame Chicken
- Crispy: With a crispy texture on the outside and glazed with a sweet honey sesame sauce, your whole family will want this honey garlic sesame chicken all the time!
- Meal prep:Make a big batch of this copycat recipe on the weekend and serve up honey sesame chicken lunch bowls all week long. So good!
- Easy: Although it might take longer than ordering Chinese food from your favorite restaurant, this recipe isn’t hard at all. Just coat the chicken pieces in the dry ingredients, fry them up, make the sauce and toss together!
Ingredient Notes
For the chicken
- Chicken breast:To make this honey and sesame chicken, I recommend starting with boneless skinless chicken breasts and cutting them into one-inch cubes.
- Cornstarch:Powdery cornstarch or tapioca starch will cling to the pieces of chicken to get the perfect crispy texture.
- Brown rice flour: Add a little flour to the cornstarch mixture. I recommend either brown rice flour or all purpose flour.
- Salt and pepper:Season every step to ensure your sesame chicken is full of flavor.
For the honey sesame chicken sauce
- Honey:This sticky honey sesame sauce is made with real honey instead of sugar. It adds the perfect glossy texture and sweetness to the pieces of crispy sesame chicken.
- Water:This will allow you to thin out the sauce to get the perfect texture.
- Low sodium soy sauce:Use low sodium soy sauce to keep your Chinese sesame chicken from being too high in sodium. You can also use coconut aminos if preferred.
- Rice wine vinegar:This adds a sweet, tangy flavor that pairs great with the other ingredients.
- Garlic:Minced garlic adds a nice bite and savory flavor to the sauce. Use fresh minced or storebought minced garlic.
- Coconut sugar: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, can add a little optional coconut sugar or brown sugar.
- Sesame oil:This is where the same flavor really comes from, so don’t skip it! Toasted sesame oil is a great option, too.
- Cornstarch:Add some cornstarch or tapioca starch to thicken the sauce into a glaze.
- Salt:Season to taste.
- Sesame seeds:Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top to make it feel like you ordered Panda Express honey sesame chicken to go!
- Oil:Choose your favorite cooking oil for sauteeing the chicken pieces. I recommend olive, avocado, coconut or canola oil.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place cornstarch or tapioca starch and flour in small bowl, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, mix to combine. Place chicken in a shallow dish, season with salt and pepper, toss with cornstarch mixture to coat evenly.
- Mix all sauce ingredients in a medium bowl, set aside.
- Line a large sheet pan with paper towel to drain chicken. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, once heated, add a drizzle of oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Working in batches so you don’t crowd the pan, drop dredged chicken into the pan and saute undisturbed until chicken is golden brown, flip and brown the other side, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain the chicken on the prepared sheet pan. Repeat this process until all of the chicken has been cooked.
- In a large saute pan, heat the sauce mixture over medium heat until boiling and thickened, whisking constantly. If the sauce is too thick, add splashes of water until desired consistency is reached. Toss chicken in sauce and heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve immediately with rice if desired. Garnish with green onion and more sesame seeds.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
Tips for the Best Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
- The coconut sugar/brown sugar is optional. It adds a touch more caramel-y sweetness and brings out the flavor of the honey.
- Rice flour can be substituted for the cornstarch, but the chicken will not be as crispy.
- To make honey sesame chicken stir fry, double the sauce and add your favorite stir fry vegetables.
- Using a metal slotted spoon or a metal tool called a spider or skimmer are the best tools to remove the food from the hot oil, as it allows the hot oil to drain from the food, saving you oil, extra calories and time.
- You may need to add some oil to the pan in between batches, make sure it comes back up to temperature before adding the next batch of chicken.
- If the chicken makes a lot of popping sounds when it hits the oil, that means your chicken may not be coated thoroughly.
- This recipe can be made without any flour or starch if desired, but it won’t be as crispy. To do so, omit the cornstarch and flour, pat chicken dry and season with salt & pepper. Saute in olive/avocado/coconut oil until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Omit water and cornstarch from the sauce recipe. Wipe pan clean after sauteeing chicken, add sauce ingredients to pan and simmer until slightly thickened.
- To make crispy rice noodles like at PF Chang’s: Add small handfuls of rice vermicelli noodles to the hot oil and immediately remove to the sheet pan to drain. The rice noodles will puff up immediately and do not need to sit in the oil.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Chicken thighs work well. Just be sure to cook thoroughly to at least 165℉.
Why is my chicken soggy?
If your chicken is soggy, you likely did not have your oil and pan hot enough. You can test one piece of chicken. If it browns after about 3 minutes, your oil is ready.
Can you fry chicken without dredging it?
Yes! Many people put off breading and frying because they think they have to go through the dredging process: dipping in cornstarch, then an egg wash, then the breading. This easy chicken recipe can get you delicious crispy chicken without that process!
The secret is to use corn starch. It will attach itself to the nooks and crannies of the chicken, and it will crisp up when you fry it. I like to include a little brown rice flour to get a thicker, crispier crunch, but it’s that easy!
Storage Guidelines
To refrigerate: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To reheat: Reheat leftovers in a covered saute pan on the stovetop with a splash of water. The chicken will not stay crispy once stored, but it will still be yummy!
Serving Suggestions
This homemade honey sesame chicken recipe is meant to be served alongside some grains, like a bed of rice, and lots of green veggies. You can use brown rice, white rice, cauliflower rice, or whichever type your family prefers.
I also like to serve this dish with a side of veggies for extra color and nutrients. Serve broccoli, green beans, bell peppers, snap peas, zucchini, or whatever veggies you have. It also tastes great with this Easy Asian Cucumber Salad or Quinoa Edamame Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing !
Recipe Variations
- To make spicy: For a bit of heat, add ½ teaspoon sriracha to the sauce, or ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes. Taste the sauce and adjust the heat level.
- Sesame chicken bowls: For meal prep, grab your lunch containers and layer a bed of rice with your favorite steamed veggies and this honey sesame chicken recipe. Top with sliced green onions, a little sriracha, and an extra sprinkle of sesame seeds.
- Sesame chicken stir fry: Make twice as much sauce and saute your favorite veggies with the chicken. Serve over rice or lo mein for an easy weeknight meal your family will ask for again and again.
More Similar Recipes
- PF Chang’s Chicken Fried Rice
- Chicken Mango Salad
- Healthy Chicken Stir Fry
- Peanut Chicken Recipe
- Shrimp Noodle Stir Fry
- Korean Ground Beef
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Course Main Course
Healthy Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
By: Elysia
Servings 6 servings
Skip Panda Express and make a homemade version of this favorite Chinese takeout dish! This healthy honey sesame chicken recipe combines crispy nuggets of tender chicken, tossed in a sweet and salty honey and soy sauce. Serve over steamed rice with a green veggie side.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1.5 pounds chicken breasts or tenderloins cut into 1 inch cubes
- 1/2 cup cornstarch or tapioca starch
- 2 tablesoons brown rice flour (or sub in all purpose flour)
- Salt and pepper
For the honey sesame chicken sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or brown sugar (optional)
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch or tapioca starch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Oil for sauteeing such as olive, avocado, coconut or canola
Instructions
Place cornstarch or tapioca starch and flour in small bowl, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, mix to combine. Place chicken in a shallow dish, season with salt and pepper, toss with cornstarch mixture to coat evenly.
Mix all sauce ingredients in a medium bowl, set aside.
Line a large sheet pan with paper towel to drain chicken. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, once heated, add a drizzle of oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Working in batches so you don’t crowd the pan, drop dredged chicken into the pan and saute undisturbed until chicken is golden brown, flip and brown the other side, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain the chicken on the prepared sheet pan. Repeat this process until all of the chicken has been cooked.
In a large saute pan, heat the sauce mixture over medium heat until boiling and thickened, whisking constantly. If the sauce is too thick, add splashes of water until desired consistency is reached. Toss chicken in sauce and heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve immediately with rice if desired. Garnish with green onion and more sesame seeds.
Notes
- The coconut sugar/brown sugar is optional. It adds a touch more caramel-y sweetness and brings out the flavor of the honey.
- Rice flour can be substituted for the cornstarch, but the chicken will not be as crispy.
- To make honey sesame chicken stir fry, double the sauce and add your favorite stir fry vegetables.
- Using a metal slotted spoon or a metal tool called a spider or skimmer are the best tools to remove the food from the hot oil, as it allows the hot oil to drain from the food, saving you oil, extra calories and time.
- You may need to add some oil to the pan in between batches, make sure it comes back up to temperature before adding the next batch of chicken.
- If the chicken makes a lot of popping sounds when it hits the oil, that means your chicken may not be coated thoroughly.
- This recipe can be made without any flour or starch if desired, but it won’t be as crispy. To do so, omit the cornstarch and flour, pat chicken dry and season with salt & pepper. Saute in olive/avocado/coconut oil until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Omit water and cornstarch from the sauce recipe. Wipe pan clean after sauteeing chicken, add sauce ingredients to pan and simmer until slightly thickened.
- To make crispy rice noodles like at PF Chang’s: Add small handfuls of rice vermicelli noodles to the hot oil and immediately remove to the sheet pan to drain. The rice noodles will puff up immediately and do not need to sit in the oil.
Nutrition
Calories: 249kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 25gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 520mgPotassium: 453mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 34IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg
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