The Ultimate Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe: Crispy, Sweet, and Irresistibly Delicious

Honey Sesame Chicken transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into restaurant-quality experiences right in your own kitchen. Picture this: golden-brown, perfectly crispy chicken pieces glazed in a luscious honey sesame sauce that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory. The aroma alone will have your family gathering around the kitchen, eagerly anticipating that first bite of tender chicken coated in a glossy, finger-licking sauce.

This crispy honey sesame chicken recipe has become my go-to solution for those evenings when I want to create something special without spending hours in the kitchen. What started as an attempt to recreate my favorite takeout dish has evolved into a family tradition that brings everyone to the table with genuine excitement.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This easy honey sesame chicken delivers everything you crave from your favorite Chinese restaurant, but with the satisfaction of making it yourself. The secret lies in the perfectly seasoned batter that creates an incredibly crispy exterior while keeping the chicken impossibly tender inside. Unlike heavy, greasy versions, this honey sesame chicken recipe achieves that coveted crispy texture without overwhelming oil absorption.

The best honey sesame chicken sauce is a harmonious blend of honey’s natural sweetness, the umami depth of soy sauce, and the nutty richness of sesame oil. Each piece of chicken becomes a canvas for this glossy, amber-colored sauce that clings beautifully without being overly thick or sticky. Whether you’re planning a quick honey sesame chicken dinner for busy weeknights or impressing guests with your culinary skills, this recipe delivers consistent, crowd-pleasing results every single time.

Explore more quick & easy dinner recipes here to discover additional family-friendly meal ideas that bring restaurant flavors to your home kitchen.

Ingredients List

This honey sesame chicken recipe uses simple, accessible ingredients that work together to create layers of flavor and texture. Here’s everything you’ll need organized by preparation stage:

Find more satisfying lunch ideas here for additional meal inspiration that pairs perfectly with Asian-inspired flavors.

Step-by-Step Directions

Creating perfect Honey Sesame Chicken requires careful attention to timing and technique. Follow these detailed steps to achieve restaurant-quality results at home.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Marinade
In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces with chicken bouillon powder, white pepper, and 1 tablespoon of water. Mix thoroughly and let the chicken marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature. This step ensures the chicken absorbs maximum flavor before coating.

Step 2: Make the Batter
While the chicken marinates, whisk together eggs in a large mixing bowl. Add flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, ¼ cup water, and 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Whisk until smooth and free of lumps. The batter should have a thick, creamy consistency that coats the back of a spoon.

Step 3: Prepare the Honey Sesame Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, honey, brown sugar, and 3 tablespoons of water. Finely mince the garlic cloves and add to the mixture. Stir well to dissolve the brown sugar completely. Set aside until ready to cook.

Step 4: Heat the Oil
Pour vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer, filling it about 3 inches deep. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a candy thermometer to monitor temperature accuracy throughout the frying process.

Step 5: Coat and Fry the Chicken
Add the marinated chicken pieces to the prepared batter, ensuring each piece is completely coated. Carefully lower the chicken into the hot oil using a slotted spoon, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Step 6: Prepare the Sauce
While the chicken drains, bring the honey sesame sauce mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Create a cornstarch slurry by mixing 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water. Add the slurry to the boiling sauce while whisking constantly. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil.

Step 7: Combine and Serve
Add the crispy chicken pieces to the thickened sauce, tossing gently to coat each piece evenly. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately while the chicken remains crispy.

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Exact Timing to make Honey Sesame Chicken

Total Time: 45 minutes

• Prep Time: 20 minutes (including 15-minute marinade)
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Active Cooking: 15 minutes
• Rest/Drain Time: 5 minutes

Detailed Timeline:

• Minutes 1-5: Prepare and marinate chicken
• Minutes 6-15: Make batter and sauce base (during marinade time)
• Minutes 16-20: Heat oil to proper temperature
• Minutes 21-35: Fry chicken in batches (3-4 minutes per batch)
• Minutes 36-40: Finish sauce and create slurry
• Minutes 41-45: Combine chicken with sauce and garnish

Nutritional Information

Understanding the nutritional profile of Honey Sesame Chicken helps you make informed decisions about portion sizes and meal planning. This analysis is based on one serving (approximately 6 servings per recipe).

Key Nutritional Insights:
This recipe provides an excellent source of high-quality protein while delivering significant energy from carbohydrates. The sodium content reflects traditional Asian flavoring profiles, while the sugar content comes primarily from honey and brown sugar in the glaze.

Healthier Alternatives

Making Honey Sesame Chicken healthier doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor. These modifications maintain the dish’s signature taste while enhancing its nutritional profile.

Dietary Adaptations:

• Keto-Friendly: Replace flour and cornstarch with almond flour and xanthan gum
• Gluten-Free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and substitute all-purpose flour with rice flour
• Paleo: Eliminate cornstarch and use arrowroot powder, replace soy sauce with coconut aminos
• Vegan: Substitute chicken with cauliflower florets or firm tofu

Explore more delicious desserts here to complete your Asian-inspired meal with sweet treats that complement these savory flavors.

Serving Suggestions

Perfect Rice Pairings: Serve Honey Sesame Chicken over steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice for a complete meal. The sauce pairs beautifully with fried rice or coconut rice, which adds a subtle tropical note that complements the sesame flavors. For a lower-carb option, serve over spiralized zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles.

Vegetable Accompaniments: Balance the sweet richness with fresh, crisp vegetables like steamed broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy. A simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing provides a refreshing contrast, while roasted asparagus or green beans add color and nutritional value to the plate.

Complete Meal Ideas: Transform this into a family-style dinner by serving alongside vegetable spring rolls, wonton soup, or a fresh Asian slaw. For entertaining, present the chicken as part of a larger spread including fried rice, lo mein noodles, and additional sauces for dipping.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Oil Temperature Control: The most critical mistake when making Honey Sesame Chicken is not maintaining proper oil temperature. Oil that’s too cool results in greasy, soggy chicken, while oil that’s too hot burns the coating before the chicken cooks through. Always use a thermometer and maintain 350°F throughout the frying process, adjusting heat as needed between batches.

Sauce Consistency Errors: Adding the cornstarch slurry too quickly or failing to whisk constantly leads to lumpy, uneven sauce texture. Always create the slurry separately and add it gradually while whisking vigorously. If the sauce becomes too thick, thin it with a tablespoon of warm water; if too thin, cook longer to reduce naturally.

Timing Coordination: Preparing the sauce too early or too late disrupts the final dish quality. The sauce should be hot and ready just as the chicken finishes frying. Cold sauce won’t adhere properly to the chicken, while overcooked sauce becomes sticky and overly thick, masking the chicken’s crispy texture.

Storing Tips

Refrigerator Storage: Store leftover Honey Sesame Chicken in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Separate the chicken from any remaining sauce to prevent the coating from becoming soggy. Place parchment paper between layers if stacking pieces to maintain texture separation.

Freezing Guidelines: While fresh is always best, you can freeze cooked Honey Sesame Chicken for up to 2 months. Flash-freeze individual pieces on a baking sheet before transferring to freezer bags. This prevents pieces from sticking together and allows you to reheat only the amount needed. Freeze the sauce separately in ice cube trays for easy portioning.

Reheating Methods: Restore crispiness by reheating in a 400°F oven for 8-10 minutes rather than using the microwave. For frozen chicken, thaw overnight in the refrigerator first. Reheat the sauce gently in a small saucepan, adding a tablespoon of water if needed to restore proper consistency before combining with the reheated chicken.

FAQs

Honey Sesame Chicken

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• Author: Julia
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Crispy Honey Sesame Chicken that tastes better than takeout. Sweet, savory, and perfectly glazed for an easy dinner everyone will love. A must-try for those looking for recipes for dinner or recipes chicken.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1½ lb chicken breast or thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces)
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup water
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• ¼ cup honey
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons water
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons water (for slurry)
• Green onion, sliced (for garnish)
• Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Combine chicken with bouillon powder, white pepper, and 1 tablespoon water. Marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Whisk eggs, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, ¼ cup water, and 2 teaspoons oil until smooth.
3. In a saucepan, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, honey, brown sugar, 3 tablespoons water, and minced garlic. Stir and set aside.
4. Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
5. Coat chicken in batter and fry in batches for 3–4 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
6. Bring sauce to a boil, add cornstarch slurry, and cook until thickened. Stir in sesame oil.
7. Toss fried chicken in the sauce until coated evenly. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra crispiness, fry chicken twice. Serve with steamed rice or vegetables for a complete meal.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 890mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: honey sesame chicken, crispy chicken, recipes for dinner, recipes chicken