Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken pairs crunchy fried chicken with a sweet, sticky honey garlic sauce. Everything is tossed with sesame seeds for an extra layer of crunchy goodness, making this easy sesame chicken recipe better than going for take-out.
Chinese food is one of my favorites but getting takeout can be expensive, and it’s so easy to make my favorite recipes at home. This easy sesame chicken recipe takes less than 30 minutes to make, plus it freezes and reheats well. Save yourself the hassle of going out and learn how to make honey sesame chicken stir fry at home. You can thank me later!
If you love Asian recipes with honey, try my Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken, Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp or Crispy Honey Chicken.
Why You’ll Love Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe
- It’s better than takeout. Crispy honey sesame chicken is one of my favorites when ordering take-out. This homemade version is even better, and I can make it any time.
- It’s fast. I can make this entire meal from start to finish faster than I can get delivery or go through the drive-thru at my favorite Chinese restaurant.
- It’s a family favorite. The sweet and tangy sauce isn’t spicy, so everyone in the house loves it. There is no need to make a separate meal for the kids.
Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken: cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes. You could also use chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Eggs: beat room temperature eggs for dipping the chicken.
- Dredge: a combination of all-purpose flour and cornstarch is used to create a crispy coating.
- Salt & pepper: for seasoning the chicken.
- Oil: to deep fry.
- Garlic: use freshly minced garlic for the best flavor.
- Soy Sauce: I prefer to use low sodium soy sauce. You can also use tamari or amino acids.
- Sweeteners: a combination of honey, ketchup and brown sugar create the base for this sweet and sticky sauce.
- Rice Vinegar: this sweet, mild vinegar is commonly used in Asian dishes. You can substitute other kinds of vinegar.
- Cornstarch: to thicken the sauce.
- Sesame Seeds: for sprinkling over the chicken.
- Green Onion: for garnish.
How To Make Honey Sesame Chicken
- Dredge the chicken. In a bowl, crack the eggs and whisk with a fork; set aside. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper; set aside. Dip the chicken into the egg mixture first and then dredge the chicken into the flour mixture, pressing to coat evenly. Repeat the same with the remaining chicken breast cubes and place them on a plate.
- Fry the chicken. Meanwhile, heat oil to deep fry. Once the oil is heated, fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden and crispy. Transfer the chicken pieces to a dish covered with a kitchen towel to remove the excess oil. Set aside.
- Prepare the skillet. Heat a skillet over a medium flame. Add oil and garlic and saute for a minute.
- Prepare the honey sesame sauce. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine; soy sauce, honey, ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar and cornstarch.
- Stir fry the chicken. Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir the chicken back into the skillet. Coat the chicken pieces well with sauce.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle the sesame seeds and green onions and serve immediately over the rice.
Tips To Make Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken Stir Fry
- Dry your chicken with paper towels before coating it in the flour, egg, and cornstarch, and it will adhere better, and the chicken will fry crispier.
- You don’t need a fancy fryer to cook the chicken. 2” of hot oil in a pan will cook the chicken perfectly.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Cook and batches and ensure the oil temperature doesn’t drop too low.
- Honey supplies a lot of flavor to this dish, so use high-quality honey.
- Allow the sauce to thicken before adding the chicken back to the pan. This will help prevent the chicken from becoming soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
While there are some similarities, General Tso’s chicken is usually spicy. Crispy honey sesame chicken has a sweet and tangy sauce with a bold flavor that isn’t spicy.
Chicken is full of protein, vitamins and minerals, but sesame chicken isn’t considered a healthy food. The honey sesame sauce has a fair amount of sodium and sugar. As with most foods, it’s essential to enjoy in moderation.
Honey sesame chicken is found in Chinese restaurants across North America. This popular dish is not authentically Chinese but is a favorite at many Asian restaurants.
Leftover honey sesame chicken can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium-high heat until the chicken is warmed through and crispy.
Yes! It’s so easy to freeze this recipe. I recommend doubling the recipe and saving the second batch for an easy meal on another night. To freeze, cool completely and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in a skillet until the chicken is hot and crispy.
Like when you order in a restaurant, I love to serve this Honey Sesame Chicken Stir Fry with white rice and steamed veggies. You can also serve it with noodles, fried rice or substitute cauliflower rice for white rice.
More Asian Recipes
- Asian Beef Lettuce Wraps
- Sweet and Spicy Asian Chicken
- Chinese Honey Garlic Chicken
- Chinese Lemon Chicken
- Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry
- Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Stir Fry
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this delicious Easy Sesame Chicken recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it, and share it with your friends and family!
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Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
For chicken
- 1 ½ lb chicken breasts cut into 1 inch cubes
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- Salt & pepper
- Oil to deep fry
For sauce
- ½ tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoon ketchup
- 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons green onion chopped
Instructions
- In a bowl crack the eggs and whisk with a fork; set aside.
- In a separate bowl combine the flour, cornstarch, salt and pepper; set aside.
- Dip the chicken into the egg mixture first and then dredge the chicken into the flour mixture pressing to coat evenly.
- Repeat the same with the remaining chicken breast cubes and place them on a plate.
- Meanwhile, heat oil to deep fry. Once the oil is heated, fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden and crispy. Transfer the chicken pieces to a dish covered with kitchen towel to remove the excess oil. Set aside.
- Heat a skillet over a medium flame. Add oil and garlic and saute for a minute.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine; soy sauce, honey, ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar and cornstarch.
- Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir the chicken back to the skillet. Coat the chicken pieces well with sauce.
- Sprinkle the sesame seeds and green onions and serve immediately over the rice.
Notes
- Dry your chicken with paper towels before coating it in the flour, egg, and cornstarch, and it will adhere better, and the chicken will fry crispier.
- You don’t need a fancy fryer to cook the chicken. 2” of hot oil in a pan will cook the chicken perfectly.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Cook and batches and ensure the oil temperature doesn’t drop too low.
- Honey supplies a lot of flavor to this dish, so use high-quality honey.
- Allow the sauce to thicken before adding the chicken back to the pan. This will help prevent the chicken from becoming soggy.
Made this just now…was very good, kids love it as well.
Hello Nikie,
Thanks for leaving a review. I am glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe.