Honey Sesame Chicken

Quick 20 Minute Skillet Dinner with Crispy Bites and Glossy Sauce

Lightly crisp chicken tossed in a sticky honey-soy glaze with toasted sesame and ginger, fast, flavorful, and weeknight reliable.

Why You’ll Love It

• Speed dinner: True Quick Cooking Recipes energy—about 20 minutes stove to table.
• Takeout flavor, homemade control: Cleaner oils, balanced sugar, and real ginger for Healthy Homemade Recipes.
• Crisp then glossy: Cornstarch sear delivers crunch that clings to the sauce—great for Tasty Recipes Videos.
• Flexible serving: Rice, noodles, or lettuce cups for Fun Easy Recipes and Quick Recipes Snacks.
• Beginner friendly: Straightforward Chinese Cooking Recipes technique you’ll reuse.

Helpful internal links: Keep chicken night varied with Easy Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas, hands-off Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken, and date-night Burrata Chicken Milanese.

Ingredients (notes only)

Chicken & Coat

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Thighs stay juicier for high-heat sear.
• Cornstarch + pinch baking soda: Ultra-light crisp and tenderness.
• Neutral oil: High smoke point for quick fry.
• Salt, white pepper: Clean seasoning that won’t darken the sauce.

Honey Sesame Sauce

• Honey: Shine and balanced sweetness.
• Low-sodium soy sauce: Savory backbone; keeps salt in check.
• Rice vinegar: Brightness to cut sweet.
• Toasted sesame oil: Nutty finish—use sparingly.
• Garlic + fresh ginger: Classic Chinese Cooking aromatics.
• Red pepper flakes or chili paste: Optional heat.
• Water + cornstarch slurry: Silky, clingy glaze.

Finish

• Toasted sesame seeds + sliced green onions: Texture and freshness.
• Steamed rice or noodles; or lettuce leaves for lighter service.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep chicken: Cut 1½ lb chicken into 1-inch pieces. Pat dry; toss with ¼ cup cornstarch, ¼ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt, and a pinch of white pepper.
2. Make sauce: Whisk ⅓ cup honey, ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce, 2 Tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 Tbsp grated ginger, ¼–½ tsp chili, ⅓ cup water. In a cup, mix 1 Tbsp cornstarch + 1 Tbsp water.
3. Sear: Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high until shimmering. Sear chicken in two batches, 3–4 minutes per side, to deep golden and 165°F internal. Transfer to a plate.
4. Sauce: Lower heat to medium. Add sauce base; simmer 30–60 seconds. Stir in slurry; cook until thick and glossy, 30–60 seconds.
5. Toss: Return chicken to pan; coat until shiny. Off heat, add 1–2 tsp sesame seeds and most of the green onions.
6. Serve: Spoon over rice or noodles. Finish with more sesame seeds and green onions; serve with lime or steamed broccoli.

Pro Tips

• Dry first: Pat chicken very dry—moisture kills crisp.
• Batch sear: Crowding steams; cook in two rounds for real browning.
• Balance check: Taste glaze before thickening—add a splash vinegar if too sweet, a drizzle honey if too salty.
• Velvet lite: That pinch of baking soda keeps bites tender without a full marinade.

Variations

• Orange Sesame: Swap ¼ cup orange juice for water; add zest.
• Spicy Sesame: Use chili crisp instead of flakes for a mild crunch.
• Veg boost: Add snap peas or broccoli in step 4 for Cooking Recipes For Dinner with veg.
• Lettuce cups: Spoon chicken into romaine leaves for party-style Quick Recipes Snacks.

How to Serve

Over steamed jasmine rice with broccoli, or toss with lo mein noodles. For a fresher plate, add cucumber ribbons and a squeeze of lime.

Make Ahead & Storage

• Prep ahead: Sauce base keeps 5 days chilled. Cubed chicken can be dusted in cornstarch right before cooking.
• Fridge: 3–4 days airtight; reheat gently with a splash of water.
• Freeze: Freeze cooked chicken without green onions up to 2 months. Thaw, warm, and finish with fresh garnish.

FAQs

Breasts or thighs?
Thighs are juicier; breasts work if you avoid overcooking—pull at 165°F.

Too sweet—fix it?
Add 1–2 tsp rice vinegar or a small splash soy; simmer 30 seconds and retaste.

Sauce too thick or thin?
Whisk in water 1 Tbsp at a time to thin; to thicken, simmer 30 seconds or add 1 tsp slurry.

Simple Nutrition Table (estimate, per 1 of 4 servings)

Calories ~420 • Protein 31g • Carbs 35g • Fat 16g • Sodium 770mg
Estimates vary by brand and portion size.