Honey Sesame Chicken

Introduction

Honey Sesame Chicken is an irresistible dish that combines tender, juicy chicken with a sweet and savory sauce, finished with the nutty crunch of toasted sesame seeds. Perfect for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort and ingredients found in any pantry.

Why This Honey Sesame Chicken Is a Standout Recipe

What sets this Honey Sesame Chicken apart is the luscious sauce that perfectly balances the sticky sweetness of honey with the umami of soy and a subtle hint of ginger. It’s easy enough for busy nights, but special enough to wow a crowd—ideal for anyone looking to add a flavorful favorite to their dinner rotation without complicated steps.

The Secret to a Glossy, Flavorful Sesame Sauce

The sauce is the star here: a harmonious blend of honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a touch of vinegar creates a beautiful glaze that clings to each piece of chicken. Toasted sesame oil and seeds bring out deep, nutty undertones while cornstarch ensures every bite is coated in a glossy, restaurant-style finish.

Easy Steps for Golden Crispy Chicken

Lightly coating the chicken in cornstarch before quick pan-frying gives the chicken a crispy, golden exterior without deep frying. This technique seals in the juiciness of the chicken, providing a satisfying contrast to the sticky sesame sauce.

Serving Suggestions for an Eye-Catching Meal

Serve Honey Sesame Chicken over steamed jasmine rice or fluffy brown rice, and add steamed broccoli or snow peas for color and texture. Garnish with green onion slices and extra sesame seeds for a crave-worthy presentation that’s sure to draw compliments.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 4 hearty servings. Per serving, expect approximately 350–400 calories, depending on portion size and optional additions like extra vegetables or rice. The dish is rich in protein and offers a moderate carb content from the honey and sauce.

Honey Sesame Chicken (Recap)

Crispy, juicy chicken enveloped in a lacquered, sweet-savory glaze—Honey Sesame Chicken strikes the perfect flavor balance and is a guaranteed hit at any dinner table.

💡 Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly create a categorized shopping list with every ingredient, sorted by store section—making meal planning and grocery trips fast, stress-free, and organized.

Instructions

1. Pat chicken pieces dry and toss with 1/4 cup cornstarch and salt in a large bowl until evenly coated.
2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate.
3. In the same skillet, add soy sauce, honey, vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Stir and bring to a simmer for 2 minutes.
4. Make a slurry by whisking together 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water. Pour slurry into the simmering sauce and stir until thickened and glossy, 1–2 minutes.
5. Add the toasted sesame oil, then return the cooked chicken to the pan, tossing to coat with sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and toss once more.
6. Serve chicken over steamed rice. Garnish with extra sesame seeds and sliced green onions if desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

Honey Sesame Chicken is an excellent recipe to add to your weekly meal plan, whether you’re prepping lunches or creating a special dinner lineup. Save and schedule this recipe using CookifyAI to easily plan your meals and generate a consolidated shopping list, so you never miss a key ingredient.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically combines ingredient quantities across all your weekly recipes
• Sorts shopping lists by store section for efficient grocery trips
• Prevents over-buying and forgotten items through smart list organization
• Helps streamline batch prep and ensure a balanced meal rotation

Pro tip: When planning multiple meals for the week, schedule your recipes in CookifyAI to see exactly how much chicken or rice you’ll need for your whole week, avoiding last-minute trips and reducing food waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes