Description
Honey Sesame Chicken is one of those dishes that’s easy to love. It’s crispy, sticky, sweet, and savory all at the same time—a true balance of flavors that makes it an enduring favorite. Originating as a popular takeout option in Chinese-American cuisine, Honey Sesame Chicken has since become a beloved staple, celebrated for its comforting, crowd-pleasing qualities. This dish involves tender pieces of chicken coated in a crispy batter, fried until golden, and then smothered in a honey-based sauce topped with sesame seeds for a perfect finishing touch.
Ingredients
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- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs are best. Breasts are leaner, but thighs are juicier and more flavorful. Use whichever suits your taste.
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- Cornstarch and Flour: These are used in combination to create a light, crispy coating on the chicken when fried.
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- Eggs: Eggs help the flour mixture adhere better, forming a thicker crust.
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- Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps create a glossy, sticky sauce that clings to the chicken.
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- Soy Sauce: Balances the sweetness of the honey with a salty, umami flavor that is essential for depth.
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- Garlic and Ginger: Aromatics like garlic and ginger are necessary to give the dish its characteristic warmth and complexity.
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- Sesame Seeds: Toasted sesame seeds add a wonderful nutty flavor and a subtle crunch, giving the dish its signature touch.
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- Vegetable Oil: Used for frying the chicken. Choose an oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or sunflower oil.
Instructions
1: Prepare the Chicken
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- Cut the Chicken: Start by cutting the boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs into bite-sized chunks. Aim for consistency in size to ensure even cooking.
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- Dredging Setup: In one bowl, beat two eggs. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and pepper.
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- Coat the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then dredge it in the flour-cornstarch mix. Make sure each piece is evenly coated.
2: Fry the Chicken
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- Heat the Oil: In a heavy-bottomed skillet or wok, heat vegetable oil until it reaches 350°F (180°C). You can use a thermometer to ensure accuracy.
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- Fry the Chicken: Fry the chicken pieces in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
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- Drain the Chicken: Remove the chicken and let it drain on a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil.
3: Make the Honey Sesame Sauce
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- Combine Ingredients: In a saucepan, mix honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and a splash of rice vinegar. Heat over medium-low heat.
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- Thicken the Sauce: Allow the sauce to simmer gently for about 5-7 minutes until it thickens slightly. Stir occasionally to prevent it from burning.
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- Optional Spice: Add chili flakes or sriracha if you like a hint of spice.
4: Toss the Chicken in the Sauce
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- Coat the Chicken: Once the sauce has thickened, add the fried chicken to the saucepan and toss until all the pieces are evenly coated.
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- Finish with Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the chicken and mix to ensure they stick to the honey glaze.
5: Garnish and Serve
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- Plate: Transfer the Honey Sesame Chicken to a serving plate.
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- Garnish: Garnish with additional sesame seeds and sliced green onions for color and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: per serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 840mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg