Honey Sesame Chicken
A Sticky-Sweet Symphony! This Honey Sesame Chicken is a delightful dance of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors, with crispy chicken bathed in a glossy sesame sauce, perfect for a crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner. We found & printed this recipe and make a few tweaks to it but for the life of me – I cannot find who the original creator is – so if you find out – let me know so I can give them credit!
Imagine: tender pieces of chicken coated in a golden, crispy batter, then smothered in a rich and flavorful sesame sauce bursting with sweet, savory, and nutty notes. Every bite is a delightful explosion of textures and tastes, guaranteed to leave everyone asking for seconds.
Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Flavorful & Familiar: This recipe captures the essence of your favorite takeout classic, made fresh and delicious at home.
- Easy Weeknight Win: Despite its impressive restaurant-worthy taste, this sesame chicken comes together quickly and easily, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable Cravings: Get creative and add your favorite vegetables like broccoli, peppers, or snap peas for a more well-rounded meal.
Ready to ditch the takeout menus and experience the magic of homemade Sesame Chicken? Continue reading for the recipe below and get ready to wow your family with an Asian-inspired feast!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
Ingredients
Batter
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- vegetable oil for frying
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Veggies
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 Tbsp grated ginger
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper cut into strips
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper cut into strips
- 2/3 cup string beans cut into 2 inch strips
Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 4 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp water
Finishing touches
- 1 Tbsp sesame seems
- 3 Tbsp green onions, chopped finely for garnish
Instructions
For the Crispy Chicken:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and water together. Add the chicken pieces to the egg mixture and stir to ensure each piece is fully coated.
- Gradually add the cornstarch mixture to the coated chicken, mixing until all the chicken is evenly covered in batter.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large wok or a heavy-bottomed pot (like cast iron) over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to ensure accurate temperature.
- Carefully add the battered chicken pieces to the hot oil one at a time, being careful not to overcrowd the pot.
- Fry the chicken for about 5-6 minutes, until it is golden brown and crispy, flipping the pieces occasionally to ensure even cooking and browning on all sides.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the oil with a slotted spoon and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Set aside.
For the Sauce and Stir-Fry:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet or a clean wok over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the hot oil and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to burn them.
- Add the trimmed string beans and diced yellow bell peppers to the skillet and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until they are slightly tender-crisp.
- Remove the cooked vegetables from the skillet and transfer them to a plate. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil until well combined.
- Pour the soy sauce mixture into the same skillet you used for the vegetables and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth to create a slurry.
- Pour the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce in the skillet and stir continuously until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
- Return the fried chicken and the cooked vegetables to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Toss everything gently to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the top of the chicken and vegetables.
- Serve immediately over rice and enjoy!
Notes
- Feel free to change up the vegetables that you want to go in this.
- Enjoy with any kind of steamed rice.
- We printed this recipe & have made it over & over again – but it doesn’t say what the website is or who the creator is – UGH! So if you find out – please contact me and let me know so I can give the original creator credit.
Keywords: Dinner, Main Dish, Chicken, Sesame Chicken, Honey Sesame Chicken, Stir Fry
Find it online: https://eyes-on-the-fries.com/2024/04/20/honey-sesame-chicken/