Are you craving a delicious meal that balances sweet and savory flavors perfectly? Look no further than this mouthwatering Honey Sesame Chicken recipe! With tender chunks of chicken coated in a delectable sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds, this dish is better than take out!

Sesame chicken is one of the most requested dishes at Chinese restaurants. It’s a dish that combines tender pieces of chicken with a flavorful sauce that has both sweet and savory notes. The sauce is made with honey, ketchup, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and garlic powder, creating a mouthwatering blend that’s just perfect!
Your family will love the flavors because they are a delightful balance of sweetness and richness. The chicken is coated in a crunchy and irresistible mixture before being sautéed to perfection. Once the chicken is cooked, it’s combined with the flavorful sauce, making every bite incredibly tasty.
What Goes In Sesame Chicken?
Sauce Ingredients:
- Honey: Provides a sweet and sticky glaze to the chicken.
- Ketchup: Adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the sauce.
- Sugar: Sweetens the sauce and balances the flavors.
- Brown Sugar: Adds depth and richness to the sauce.
- White Wine Vinegar: Provides acidity to balance the sweetness in the sauce.
- Soy Sauce (or Tamari): A key ingredient in the sauce, it gives a savory and umami flavor to the dish.
- Sea Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the sauce.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle garlic flavor without the texture of fresh garlic.
Chicken:
- Boneless Chicken Breasts: Chopped into bite-sized pieces, these are the protein source and the main component of the dish.
- Egg: Lightly beaten and used for dipping the chicken, it helps the dry coat mixture adhere to the chicken, creating a crispy outer layer.
- Sesame Seeds: Used for garnishing and adding a nutty flavor and crunchy texture to the dish.
Dry Coat Mixture:
- Flour: Helps to coat the chicken and create a crispy exterior.
- Organic Cornstarch: Adds extra crispiness to the chicken.
- Baking Powder: Contributes to the chicken’s crispy texture.
How to Make Sesame Chicken at Home:
- Prepare the sauce by mixing honey, ketchup, sugar, brown sugar, white wine vinegar, soy sauce, sea salt, and garlic powder in a bowl.
- Create a dredging station by setting up two shallow bowls. In one bowl, beat eggs with a little milk or water. In the other bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, sea salt, and baking powder to create the dry coat mixture.
- Dip the chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drain off. Then, drop the chicken into the dry coat mixture and shake it up in a large Ziploc bag until each piece is evenly coated with the flavorful mix.
- Heat some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the coated chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping them over to ensure they’re cooked through and beautifully golden.
- Toast sesame seeds in a separate pan until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Pour in the sauce mixture and let it come to a boil. Add the toasted sesame seeds and stir until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Finally, add the cooked chicken back into the pan and stir until each piece is coated in the luscious sauce.

Common Questions:
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for this recipe? Absolutely! You can use chicken thighs as a tasty alternative to chicken breasts. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary slightly, so make sure to adjust accordingly to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Can I make the sauce ahead of time? Yes, you can definitely prepare the sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to use it, gently reheat the sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave before adding it to the cooked chicken.
- Can I freeze the cooked chicken for later? Certainly! Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. You can store it in the freezer for later use.
- Is there a healthier alternative to frying the chicken? Absolutely! If you prefer a healthier cooking method, you can try baking or air frying the chicken instead. Coat the chicken pieces with the dry mixture, place them on a baking sheet or in an air fryer basket, and cook until they are crispy and fully cooked.
MORE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
SENSATIONAL SESAME CHICKEN RECIPE
Like this recipe? Pin it to your CHICKEN board!
Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. And consider following me on Facebook and Pinterest!
Print
Sensational Sesame Chicken
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A sweet, salty, spicy and sticky homemade version of the famous Chinese takeout Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 3 Boneless Chicken Breasts, chopped bite sized pieces
- 1–2 Large Egg(s), lightly beaten
- 2 Tablespoons sesame seeds
FOR THE SAUCE:
- ⅓ Cup Honey
- ¼ Cup Ketchup
- 3 Tablespoons Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons White Wine Vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons Soy Sauce (or Tamari)
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
DRY COAT:
- ½ Cup Flour
- ½ Cup Organic Cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon Sea Salt
- ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients – honey, ketchup, sugar, brown sugar, white wine vinegar, soy sauce (or Tamari), sea salt, and garlic powder. Set the sauce aside for later.
- In a shallow bowl, lightly beat the eggs and add a little milk or water.
- In a large Ziploc bag, combine the ingredients for the Dry Coat mixture – flour, organic cornstarch, sea salt, and baking powder. Seal the bag and shake well to evenly mix the dry ingredients.
- In batches, dip the chicken pieces in the egg mixture, allowing excess egg to drain off. Then, place the chicken in the bag with the Dry Coat mixture and shake until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan (do not submerge the chicken; there should be just enough oil to sauté it).
- Using tongs or your hands, carefully place the coated chicken in the hot pan. You may need to cook the chicken in multiple batches to ensure even cooking. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes, flipping it over at least once to ensure it’s cooked through.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate lined with paper towels and repeat the dipping and sautéing process for the remaining chicken.
- Once all the chicken is cooked, add the sauce to the skillet and bring it to a boil. Stir in the sesame seeds until the sauce thickens.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir to evenly coat it with the sauce.
- Serve the honey sesame chicken over rice and garnish with additional sesame seeds and green onions for added flavor and presentation. Enjoy this delicious and flavorful dish!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS
PERFECTLY BAKED BROWN RICE
CHINESE FRIED RICE
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
Leave a Reply