Quick & Easy Sesame Honey Chicken Recipe (2024)

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5 from 2 votes

by SkinnyMs.

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Published: January 2, 2012 Last Updated: March 17, 2021

This tasty sesame honey chicken will leave you feeling full and guilt free!

Quick & Easy Sesame Honey Chicken Recipe (2)

Asian food, at its core, is generally pretty healthy. Their traditional diets are testament to the benefits of including lots of fermented foods, roots, green leaves, nuts, and seeds in cooking. American-Chinese take-out, on the other hand, is a quick and easy way to get a meal on the table that is loaded with sodium, fat, and often preservatives. The much loved Sesame Honey Chicken from your local takeout is no exception. While chicken dishes might seem as if they would be healthier than beef options, don’t count on it. Our version of this sweet and nutty favorite takes all the regret out of an otherwise pretty nutritionally sound recipe.

Why is This Sesame Honey Chicken Recipe So Good?

This sesame honey chicken recipe doesn’t aim to replicate the crispy takeout version but its more subtle, savory, nutty, honeyed flavor comes out just superbly. Did we mention this recipe only has four ingredients? Because of the chicken broth, you don’t even need to add salt particularly. Plus, this is a one-pan meal so it keeps the mess down and the cook-time quick.

Sesame seeds give this Honey Sesame Chicken this crunch which is not only stunning on your plate but full of a ton of great texture as well. It turns out sesame seeds, tiny edible seeds native to only India and Africa, are a rich source of natural oils, lignans, antioxidants, protein, dietary fiber, and amino acids. The potent nutritional benefits of sesame seeds include their ability to prevent cancer, improve heart health, lower blood pressure, build strong bones, improve male fertility, and prevent diabetes. They also are used to help cure sleep disorders, improve digestion, reduce inflammation, boost respiratory health, aid in dental care and eliminate depression and chronic stress.

What if I Want to Thicken my Sauce?

If you like the sauce more on the thick side, you can thicken your sesame honey chicken with cornstarch. Start with 1 teaspoon at a time so you don’t over-thicken the sauce. In a small bowl, add about 1-2 tsp of cornstarch and then add equal amounts of cold water and mix. Pour slowly into your skillet and watch your sauce thicken up.

And to Serve?

Given that this is only going to take 25 minutes out of your nigh, it’s ideal for low-mood or low-energy nights when you’re not feeling delighted at the prospect of cooking and cleaning. If you want to get extra fancy, serve this with “rice”: our healthy Cauliflower Fried Rice. I also like to serve mine with some steamed broccoli and sugar snap peas to just boost the health factor. Equally, go down the traditional Chinese route by serving with a bowl of high quality steamed white rice and whatever vegetable side dishes your heart desires: bok choi, fried mushroom, Chinese-style eggplant. Get out the chopsticks and enjoy this feast family-style?

Need help navigating the Chinese takeout menu? We’ve written down some great tips on how to make those choices just a little bit cleaner.

Quick & Easy Sesame Honey Chicken Recipe (4)

Our sesame honey chicken recipe helps you satisfy your craving for Chinese take-out without all the detrimental ingredients. All of our chicken recipes are healthy and this one is no exception. The next time you have a hankering to pick up the phone for Chinese delivery, give this recipe a try instead. Don’t let the fat content scare you. About 98% of the fat in this recipe comes from the sesame seeds which contain very healthy fats. Learn more about healthy fats here.

5 from 2 votes

Quick & Easy Sesame Honey Chicken Recipe

With only four ingredients, this easy and quick recipe is ideal for any night of the week and it's kid friendly!

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Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Yield 6 people

Serving Size 0.75 cups

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Quick & Easy Sesame Honey Chicken Recipe (5)

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Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

  • 5 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth low sodium, no sugar added
  • 1/4 cup sesame seeds roasted
  • 1/4 cup honey

Instructions

  • Cut up the chicken into bite-sized cubes (about 1 x 1).

  • In a large skillet add chicken and broth, turn to medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Reduced heat to medium and cook until the chicken is nearly cooked through.

  • Pour in the honey and sesame seeds and stir well. Cook until all liquids have cooked out and the chicken is a light golden brown.

Notes

My favorite honey is raw Y.S. ECO. The flavor is mild, super creamy, and perfect for Chinese dishes.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.75cups | Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 115mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g |

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 4

Keywords Quick and Easy

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Quick & Easy Sesame Honey Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is honey sesame chicken made of? ›

Add 1/3 cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, 3 crushed garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1/2 cup of water to a small bowl. Use a fork to whisk together and combine, then set aside. Cook the chicken.

What is sesame chicken sauce made of? ›

Mix chicken broth, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, chile paste, and garlic together in a small pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer.

What is honey chicken sauce made of? ›

A classic combination of honey, soy sauce and garlic working together to produce a sticky, sweet sauce to coat golden tender chicken pieces. I love to whip this up to serve over boiled rice for dinner, or as an easy addition to a homemade Chinese banquet.

What is the difference between General Tso chicken and honey sesame chicken? ›

Sesame chicken's sauce accentuates the flavor of sesame and is a brown sugar/honey based sauce. General Tso's chicken's sauce is more pungent with hoisin, ginger and rice vinegar. When they do have in common is soy sauce and corn starch.

What does Chinese sesame chicken have in it? ›

The dish involves chicken (usually thigh) pieces that are de-boned, battered and Chinese deep-fried, then dressed with a translucent, reddish-brown, semi-thick, somewhat sweet sauce made from corn starch, vinegar, wine or sake, chicken broth and sugar, the last of which is a major contributor to sesame chicken's ...

What does honey sesame chicken taste like Panda Express? ›

This honey sesame chicken panda express is a staple for me. I make it at least once a week, and now, you will too! Perfectly balanced flavor: It's savory but also a little sweet, tangy, and vinegary, which makes the dish super addictive!

What can I use instead of sesame sauce? ›

If you need a bit of that sesame flavor (depending on the dish) you could use a little bit of tahini. Or make your own toasted and ground sesame seed paste. alternately you could add some toasted sesame seeds without grinding.

Is tahini just sesame paste? ›

Tahini is sometimes listed as a substitute for sesame paste, but in my mind, the two aren't interchangeable. Though tahini is also made from white sesame seeds, those seeds are usually untoasted or lightly toasted. By comparison, toasted sesame paste is more assertive and aromatic and also thicker in texture.

Can you use maple syrup instead of honey for honey chicken? ›

Yes, since they are both liquid sweeteners their shouldn't be any problems, But remember honey and maple syrup have different flavors so expect different taste but they both pair great with chicken anyways.

Can I add honey to my sauce? ›

Honey will enrich and add subtle flavour to dishes such as casseroles, sauces and dressings. Honey can be used as a natural substitute for sugar in most recipes but as it is sweeter than sugar, less is needed.

Can I use sugar instead of honey in a sauce? ›

Replace I cup of honey with 1 1/4 cups of sugar and 1/4 cup of liquid. The liquid can be water or a liquid that is in the recipe. The flavor and texture won't be quite the same, but that doesn't mean you won't like the result!

What is grandfather chicken? ›

Grandfather's Chicken is typically prepared by marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and other seasonings. The marinated chicken is then either pan-fried or braised until it is cooked through and the flavors have infused into the meat.

Which is hotter General Tso or sesame chicken? ›

General Tso's chicken is a spicy and tangy dish made with a mix of chicken breast and thighs, while sesame chicken is a sweeter option made with succulent chicken thighs. Whether you're in the mood for something spicy or sweet, both dishes offer a delicious and crispy meal that's sure to satisfy your cravings.”

Which is sweeter General Tso or sesame? ›

The main difference is that sesame chicken tends to be a little sweeter (if you can imagine that) than General Tso's, with no heat, and a good shower of toasted sesame seeds is added to the sauce.

Does sesame chicken contain honey? ›

What is sesame chicken made out of? While I typically use chicken breasts for this recipe, I've also made it with chicken thighs which also works well. The sauce is a combination of honey, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic and sesame oil and takes just minutes to put together.

Is honey sesame chicken the same as orange chicken? ›

Orange chicken and sesame chicken may both feature boneless chicken meat, but they are distinct dishes that differ in several key ways. While sesame chicken uses a base sauce of soy sauce and sesame oil to create a savory, nutty flavor, orange chicken incorporates soy sauce and orange zest for a sweet and tangy taste.

What is the origin of honey sesame chicken? ›

Origin of this dish

Originated in Chinese-American restaurants like the popular General Tso's Chicken and Orange chicken. What is this? Also known as Sticky Honey Sesame Chicken because the crispy chicken is tossed in sweet, glossy, and sticky honey sauce. It's usually served over a stir fry noodle or steamed rice.

What does sesame sauce taste like? ›

Pronounced as [Goh-mah Dah-Leh], this delectable sauce is made from Japanese sesame paste, sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and dashi (Japanese soup stock). Its consistency is smooth and creamy, offering a harmonious blend of nutty, sweet, salty, and umami flavors.

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