Description
This Honey Sesame Chicken recipe features tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken thighs coated in a light cornstarch crust, pan-fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a flavorful honey-soy glaze with garlic, ginger, and a hint of sesame. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions, it’s a quick and easy Asian-inspired main course perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Coat the Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken thigh pieces with cornstarch until they are evenly coated. This helps create a light crust when cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer, ensuring they have space to cook evenly. Cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Prepare the Sauce: While the chicken cooks, whisk together honey, low-sodium soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and freshly grated ginger in a small bowl until well combined.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour the sauce mixture over the cooked chicken in the skillet. Stir well to coat all pieces evenly. Let the chicken and sauce simmer together for 3–5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and cling to the chicken pieces.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle the dish with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions. Serve immediately, ideally alongside steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs if preferred for a leaner option.
- For a spicier version, add 1 teaspoon of sriracha to the sauce mixture.
- Serve with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
