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This sesame chicken is just as delicious as the restaurant version and healthier too! Crisp pieces of chicken are coated in a spicy, sweet, and savory honey sriracha sauce. It will be a family favorite!
If you love takeout inspired recipes, be sure to try this pineapple beef stir fry and honey garlic chicken!
This post has been updated since it was originally published on 4/26/2015.
Why you’ll love it
Family friendly – Sesame chicken is a meal the whole family will love. The sweet and savory, sticky sauce is one both kids and adults will enjoy. The sriracha in the sauce can be adjusted based on how spicy you like your food.
Healthier than takeout– Most Asian-American takeout is pretty high in fat and calories. This version of sesame chicken doesn’t involve deep frying the chicken and there is significantly less sweetener in the sauce compared to most restaurant versions.
Quick and easy – This is a great meal for weeknights because it can be ready to eat in about 30 minutes! Everything cooks in one skillet making cleanup easy as well.
Ingredients for honey sesame chicken
- Chicken breasts – Cut the chicken into similar size chunks so it cooks evenly.
- Cornstarch – Cornstarch gives the chicken a crisp outer crust.
- Avocado oil – Any oil with a high smoke point can be used.
- Chicken broth – Use low sodium to ensure the sauce isn’t too salty.
- Low sodium tamari or soy sauce – Tamari is the gluten-free equivalent of soy sauce. The flavor is the same.
- Ketchup – Adds a sweet tomato flavor to the sauce.
- Honey – The main sweetener for the sauce.
- Rice wine vinegar – Vinegar balance all the sweetness in the sauce.
- Toasted sesame oil – Toasted sesame oil give the sauce that flavorful nutty sesame flavor. Be sure to used toasted sesame oil.
- Sriracha – Adjust the amount called for if you are sensitive to spicy food or if you like it really spicy.
- Garlic powder – Fresh garlic can also be used. Use 1 clove grated or minced.
- Sesame seeds – It wouldn’t be sesame chicken without sesame seeds!
How to make sesame chicken
This is an overview of the recipe with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
Combine all of the ingredients for the honey sriracha sauce in a glass measuring cup or bowl. Before adding the sauce to the chicken, be sure to whisk it again as the cornstarch will settle on the bottom.
Toss the pieces of chicken in the cornstarch, salt and pepper until they’re coated.
In a 12″ skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the pieces of chicken to the skillet and spread them out into a single layer. Let them brown for 3-4 minutes before flipping/stirring them around until they’re golden brown and cooked through.
Once the chicken is cooked through pour in the sauce and stir until the chicken is coated and the sauce thickens slightly, about 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle on the sesame seeds and serve.
Tips
- Cut the chicken into approximately 1 inch pieces to ensure they cook quickly and evenly.
- If you want a sweeter sauce use 1/4 cup of honey and for a sauce that’s a little more savory use 3 tablespoons of honey.
- Allow the chicken to cook for 3-4 minutes before flipping it. This will give the chicken a nice crisp crust and prevent it from tearing and ripping off the crust.
Is sesame chicken gluten-free?
Many versions are not, however this version of sesame chicken is gluten-free! Be sure to use tamari vs. soy sauce as soy sauce is not gluten-free.
Ways to serve sesame chicken
Personally, my favorite way to eat sesame chicken is over white or brown steamed rice. Fried rice is another great option as are rice noodles or ramen noodles.
Quinoa is a great option for something with additional protein and cauliflower rice would be good for a lower carb option.
Storage
Leftovers – The leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating – Microwave the leftovers until warmed through or reheat them in a skillet over medium-low heat until hot. Be careful not to cook for too long or the chicken will dry out.
Freezing – You can freeze sesame chicken! Let it cool completely, then put it in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat it using one of the methods listed above.
More Asian Inspired Recipes
Did you make this honey sesame chicken? I’d love if you’d leave a recipe rating and review below.
Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
Honey Sriracha Sauce
- 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons low sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sriracha use more if you like it really spicy
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
Instructions
- Place the pieces of chicken in a mixing bowl along with the salt, pepper, and cornstarch. Use a fork to toss the chicken until it's coated in the cornstarch.
- In glass measuring cup or bowl whisk together all of the sauce ingredients.
- Heat a 12" skillet over medium-high heat with the tablespoon of oil. When it's hot, swirl the oil around then add in the chicken. Spread the chicken into a single layer and let it brown for a few minutes on one side. Use a spatula to toss the chicken around until it is golden brown all over and fully cooked.
- Pour in the sauce and stir so that the chicken is coated in the sauce. Continue stir everything together until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and top with the sesame seeds. Serve over rice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Nice recipe! Yummy! Tried out at home..was wonderful! Keep sharing :)
Thanks so much for trying the chicken and I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Love love love this recipe, only added one table spoon of corn starch and it was awesome. Making this again! thanks for sharing :)
I’m so happy to hear you loved the recipe! Whenever I get a craving for Asian food, this is one of my favorite recipes to make!
This looks phenomenal! I’ve been wanting to try making sesame chicken at home, since it’s one of my favorite dishes to order as take-out. I love that this version is lightened up from what you’ll find in restaurants.
Thanks so much! You should definitely give it a try! :-)
Danae,
This looks so delicious! I love the sweet and savory combo. I’m so excited about trying this :)
Thanks Aida! :-)
I need to add this to our menu asap! Love the honey sriracha combo!
Thanks Jessica! You’ll love it!
Danae – I am so in love with homemade Chinese meals. I’ve made a few recipes from Chungah from Damn Delicious, but I’m going to have to try this recipe out. We love Sriracha in our house!
Thanks Erin! Homemade Chinese food is the best, especially when sriracha is involved!
OMG I am drooling over this recipe!! I need to make this! STAT!
Thanks Lynn! You totally need to make it! :-)
Danae – this is awesome! I just made it for dinner tonight. Loved how the sauce turned out.
Mahalo for sharing
Thank you so much for trying out the recipe Jenni! Love when readers give me feedback! The sauce was my favorite part for sure.
Love this recipe and will probably try it! I have everything in the house except for the cornstarch…dumb question (because i know you need it for Chinese cooking), wonder if it could be made without the cornstarch?
Hi Caren! I’m glad to hear you like the recipe, I love it! I’ve only tried making this with cornstarch because I like how thick and sticky it makes the sauce. If you didn’t add it I’d be afraid the sauce would be too runny. However, I did do a little reading and read that you can replace flour for cornstarch, but you may need to use a little more. I haven’t tried this out so I can’t tell you for sure how it will turn out. If you do try it with flour, I’d love to hear about the results. Good luck!