Honey Glazed Sesame Chicken

This homemade sesame chicken transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish that will have your family requesting it weekly. The crispy chicken pieces bathed in a sweet-savory honey sesame sauce create the perfect balance of textures and flavors that outshine any takeout version.

I first made this sesame chicken when craving Chinese takeout during a winter storm. After one bite, my family declared it better than our favorite restaurant version, and it's been our go-to comfort food ever since.

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts provide the perfect lean protein base and stay juicy inside while crisping beautifully outside
• Eggs create the binding foundation for the coating ensuring it adheres perfectly to each chicken piece
• Flour and cornstarch combination is the secret to achieving that signature light yet crispy Chinese restaurant texture
• Honey adds natural sweetness while helping the sauce reach that perfect sticky glaze consistency
• Soy sauce delivers the essential umami flavor backbone use reduced sodium variety to better control saltiness
• Ketchup might seem unexpected but provides subtle sweetness and depth to balance the sauce
• Brown sugar caramelizes slightly during cooking enhancing the rich flavor profile
• Rice vinegar cuts through the sweetness with necessary acidity for balanced flavor
• Toasted sesame oil infuses the authentic nutty flavor that defines sesame chicken
• Sesame seeds add essential texture and visual appeal plus reinforce the sesame flavor
• Green onions provide fresh color contrast and a mild onion flavor that brightens the finished dish

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Egg Mixture

Beat two eggs in a bowl and season with salt and pepper until well combined. This mixture creates the moisture layer that helps the coating stick perfectly to the chicken pieces ensuring maximum crispiness.

Create the Coating Mixture

Combine half cup each of all purpose flour and cornstarch in a shallow bowl or plate stirring until completely integrated. This special ratio creates the ideal crispy exterior that stays crunchy even after being tossed in the sauce.

Dredge the Chicken

Dip each chicken piece first into the egg mixture ensuring it's fully coated then into the flour mixture pressing gently to adhere. Shake off excess coating for the perfect thickness that will fry up crisp without becoming heavy.

Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil to exactly 350 degrees F using a thermometer for precision. Add chicken in small batches about 7 to 8 pieces at a time avoiding overcrowding which would lower oil temperature. Fry for exactly 5 minutes until each piece develops a golden brown exterior while maintaining juicy tenderness inside.

Prepare the Signature Sauce

While chicken cooks whisk together honey soy sauce ketchup brown sugar rice vinegar sesame oil and cornstarch until completely smooth. This balance of ingredients creates the characteristic sticky sweet yet complex sauce that defines great sesame chicken.

Activate the Aromatics

Heat a teaspoon of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for precisely 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned which would create bitterness in the final sauce.

Simmer the Sauce

Pour the honey sauce mixture into the pan with garlic bringing it to a gentle simmer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens just enough to coat the back of a spoon with a silky consistency.

Combine and Garnish

Add the crispy fried chicken to the thickened sauce gently tossing to ensure each piece is evenly coated. Immediately sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions while still hot allowing the garnishes to slightly adhere to the sticky coating.

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The toasted sesame oil is my secret weapon in this recipe. I once made this dish without it when I ran out and my daughter immediately noticed something was missing. That single ingredient transforms this from good to extraordinary with its rich nutty depth that cannot be substituted.

Make Ahead Magic

The beauty of this sesame chicken recipe lies in its make ahead potential. You can completely prepare the sauce up to two days before serving and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to cook simply reheat the sauce gently and continue with frying the chicken. You can also bread the chicken pieces earlier in the day and keep them refrigerated on a parchment lined tray until ready to fry. This approach makes this impressive dish weeknight friendly.

Serving Suggestions

This sesame chicken pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice which soaks up the delicious sauce perfectly. For a complete meal add steamed broccoli or a mix of Asian vegetables like snow peas bok choy and bell peppers. If you want to recreate a full takeout experience serve alongside some vegetable spring rolls or egg drop soup. For a lower carb option pair with cauliflower rice or serve over a bed of crisp lettuce for a sesame chicken salad variation.

Clever Substitutions

This recipe welcomes customization to suit dietary needs or pantry limitations. Chicken thighs can replace breast meat for even juicier results though with slightly higher fat content. For a gluten free version substitute the all purpose flour with rice flour and use tamari instead of soy sauce. Agave nectar works wonderfully in place of honey for a vegan friendly sauce when paired with plant based protein. To reduce sugar content try replacing some or all of the honey with orange juice plus a touch of orange zest for a citrus sesame variation.

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Recipe Q&A

→ Can I make the sesame chicken sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the sauce can be prepared up to two days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Simply reheat it when you're ready to toss with the freshly fried chicken pieces.

→ What's the best way to keep the chicken crispy?

For maximum crispiness, make sure your oil is at 350°F before frying, don't overcrowd the pan, and drain the chicken pieces on paper towels. Only toss the chicken in the sauce right before serving.

→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts. They tend to be more flavorful and juicier, but will have a slightly higher fat content.

→ Is there a way to make this dish less sweet?

Yes, you can reduce the sweetness by decreasing the honey and brown sugar amounts. Start by reducing each by about 1 tablespoon and adjust to your preference.

→ How can I make this sesame chicken gluten-free?

Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce instead of regular soy sauce. Ensure your other ingredients like vinegar and ketchup are also gluten-free certified.

→ What sides pair well with sesame chicken?

Steamed rice is the classic pairing, but it also goes well with fried rice, steamed vegetables, or a simple green salad. For a lower-carb option, serve with cauliflower rice or steamed broccoli.