Sticky Honey Sesame Chicken – Sweet, Savory & Irresistible! 🍯🍗
Skip the takeout—this Honey Sesame Chicken is crispy, sticky, and packed with flavor! Tender chicken pieces coated in a sweet-savory honey glaze, topped with sesame seeds and green onions. Ready in 30 minutes and way better than restaurant versions!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Better Than Takeout – Crispy, saucy, and full of flavor.
✔ Quick & Easy – Ready in 30 minutes flat!
✔ Perfect Texture – Crispy outside, juicy inside.
✔ Meal-Prep Friendly – Stays delicious for days.
Ingredients
Serves 4
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 🍗
- ½ cup cornstarch (for coating)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Sauce:
- ⅓ cup honey 🍯
- ¼ cup soy sauce 🍶
- 2 tbsp ketchup 🍅
- 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar 🍚
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (slurry)
For Garnish:
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Coat & Cook the Chicken
- Toss chicken in cornstarch until fully coated.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- Cook chicken until golden and crispy (~5-6 mins). Remove and set aside.
2️⃣ Make the Sauce
- In the same pan, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
- Bring to a simmer (~2 mins).
3️⃣ Thicken & Glaze
- Mix cornstarch + water to make a slurry.
- Stir into the sauce until thick and glossy (~1 min).
- Return chicken to the pan, tossing to coat.
4️⃣ Garnish & Serve!
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles.
Pro Tips
🔥 Extra Crispy Chicken – Double-fry or use an air fryer.
🍯 Adjust Sweetness – Add sriracha for heat or less honey for a less sweet version.
🍗 Bake Option – Bake cornstarch-coated chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20 mins, then toss in sauce.
Variations
🌶 Spicy Version – Add 1 tbsp chili paste to the sauce.
🍍 Sweet & Tangy – Stir in ½ cup pineapple chunks.
🥦 Veggie-Packed – Add bell peppers or broccoli when cooking the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
🍚 With steamed jasmine rice
🥢 Over lo mein noodles
🥗 With a side of stir-fried veggies
Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Keeps for 3 days (sauce thickens—add a splash of water when reheating).
- Freezer: Freeze for 1 month (thaw in fridge before reheating).
Final Thoughts
This Sticky Honey Sesame Chicken is faster, cheaper, and tastier than takeout—plus, you control the ingredients! Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Calories: ~380 per serving
Tag your creations with #HoneySesameChicken! 🥢🍯
