This Sesame Chicken is crispy, sweet, and packed with rich homemade flavor. Ready in about 35 minutes, it’s a family friendly dinner that tastes better than takeout. If you enjoy easy chicken dinners, this recipe deserves a spot on your weekly menu.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Sesame Chicken
Sesame Chicken brings together crispy chicken bites and a glossy homemade sauce in one simple meal. Every bite has the perfect mix of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, garlic, and toasted sesame oil.
Unlike many takeout versions, you control every ingredient. As a result, you can adjust the sweetness, reduce the sodium, or even swap chicken breasts for thighs.
The coating stays crisp because each piece cooks in batches. Then the chicken gets tossed in the thick, shiny sauce just before serving, so it keeps plenty of crunch.
This recipe also works well for busy weeknights. The ingredients are easy to find, and the steps are simple enough for beginner cooks.
In fact, I love making Sesame Chicken when everyone wants comfort food but I do not want to order takeout. The homemade version always disappears fast.
You can serve it with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables. Therefore, it easily fits into your regular dinner rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Sesame Chicken Sauce
For the sauce, combine:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste or ketchup
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Mix everything until smooth before cooking.
Cornstarch Slurry
The slurry thickens the sauce into a glossy coating. Simply stir together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water until smooth. Then keep it nearby because you will add it once the sauce begins to simmer.
Chicken and Coating
You will need:
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
First dip each chicken piece into the beaten eggs. Next coat it evenly in the flour and cornstarch mixture. This coating creates the crispy texture that makes Sesame Chicken so satisfying.
Optional Garnishes
Finish the dish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. They add fresh color, extra flavor, and a little crunch to every serving.
How to Make Sesame Chicken
Prepare the Homemade Sesame Sauce
In a medium bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, tomato paste, toasted sesame oil, minced garlic, and ground ginger. Stir well until the sugar dissolves and the mixture looks smooth.
Meanwhile, set the bowl aside while you prepare the chicken. Having the sauce ready makes cooking much faster.
Mix the Slurry
In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with the water until completely smooth.
Next, leave it nearby. Stir it again just before adding it to the sauce because cornstarch settles quickly.
Coat the Chicken Pieces
Beat the eggs in one bowl.
Then combine the cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper in another bowl.
Dip each chicken piece into the eggs first. Next coat it completely in the dry mixture.
Continue until every piece is evenly covered. This simple coating creates a crisp exterior that holds the sauce beautifully.
Pan Fry Until Crispy and Golden
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
Cook the chicken in batches instead of crowding the pan. As a result, every piece becomes crispy and golden.
Cook each side for about 3 to 4 minutes until fully cooked. Then transfer the chicken to paper towels to drain any extra oil.
Repeat with the remaining chicken.
Thicken the Sauce and Coat the Chicken
Pour the prepared sauce into the same skillet.
Bring it to a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally.
Next whisk the slurry one more time and slowly pour it into the sauce.
Continue stirring until the sauce thickens into a glossy coating.
Return the crispy chicken to the skillet.
Then gently toss every piece until evenly coated.
Finally garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving immediately.
Best Tips for Crispy Sesame Chicken Every Time
Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces. As a result, everything cooks at the same speed.
Cook in small batches. If you overcrowd the skillet, the chicken steams instead of becoming crispy.
Pat the chicken dry before coating it. This simple step helps the egg mixture stick better.
Mix the coating thoroughly before dredging the chicken.
Use fresh oil if needed. Clean oil produces a lighter, crispier finish.
Keep the heat at medium high. If the pan becomes too hot, the coating may brown before the chicken finishes cooking.
Meanwhile, prepare the sauce before frying. Then you can coat the chicken while it is still hot and crispy.
Whisk the slurry again before adding it to the sauce. Cornstarch settles quickly, so stirring keeps the sauce smooth.
Use good quality toasted sesame oil because it adds the signature nutty flavor.
For even more sesame flavor, replace 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil with toasted sesame oil.
If you are short on time, you can also use a prepared sesame sauce. However, the homemade version delivers fresher flavor.
Easy Recipe Variations
This Sesame Chicken recipe is easy to customize. Therefore, you can adjust it to match your family’s tastes without changing the cooking method.
Make It Spicy
Add crushed red pepper flakes or a little sriracha to the sauce. Then the sweet honey balances the extra heat for a delicious spicy version.
Use Chicken Thighs Instead
Chicken thighs stay juicy and tender during cooking. They also bring a richer flavor, so many people prefer them over chicken breasts.
Add Fresh Vegetables
Add broccoli, snap peas, carrots, or bell peppers during the final minutes of cooking. As a result, you turn Sesame Chicken into a complete one pan dinner with extra color and nutrition.
Gluten Free Option
Replace the soy sauce with gluten free tamari. Also use gluten free flour for the coating. The finished dish still turns out crispy and flavorful.
What to Serve with Sesame Chicken
Steamed white rice remains the classic choice because it absorbs every drop of the sweet and savory sauce.
Brown rice adds extra fiber while keeping the meal hearty.
Meanwhile, fried rice creates a restaurant style dinner at home.
Lo mein or rice noodles also pair perfectly with Sesame Chicken.
For lighter options, serve steamed broccoli, green beans, bok choy, or roasted vegetables.
A crisp cucumber salad balances the rich sauce with fresh flavor.
You can also serve egg rolls or vegetable spring rolls alongside the meal for a fun takeout style dinner.
Fresh pineapple makes a refreshing dessert after this flavorful meal.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Allow the Sesame Chicken to cool completely before storing.
Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, freeze the cooled chicken in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months.
Then thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Warm leftovers in a skillet over medium heat for the best texture. Add a splash of water if the sauce becomes too thick.
You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave until hot.
If you plan ahead, prepare the sauce up to 2 days in advance and refrigerate it separately.
This small step makes dinner much faster on busy evenings.
Craving More Delicious Recipes?
Here are more chicken dinners to try next:
- https://ketoatmeal.com/garlic-chicken-with-broccoli-and-spinach-recipe/ Easy garlic chicken with broccoli and spinach for another quick chicken dinner
- https://ketoatmeal.com/creamy-crockpot-crack-chicken-easy-cheesy/ Creamy Crockpot Crack Chicken for an easy low carb comfort meal
- https://ketoatmeal.com/catalina-chicken-recipe/ Try this sweet and tangy Catalina chicken recipe for another family friendly dinner
- https://ketoatmeal.com/creamy-gochujang-white-chicken-chili-recipe/ Creamy Gochujang white chicken chili with a bold spicy twist
- https://ketoatmeal.com/chicken-caldereta-recipe/ Chicken Caldereta for a rich and hearty Filipino chicken dinner
- https://ketoatmeal.com/irresistible-bang-bang-chicken-bowl/ Irresistible Bang Bang Chicken Bowl with sweet and spicy flavors
Final Thoughts
This homemade Sesame Chicken gives you crispy chicken, a rich homemade sauce, and fresh flavor in every bite. It comes together with simple pantry ingredients, so it is perfect for both weeknight dinners and special family meals. Moreover, leftovers taste great the next day, making meal prep even easier. If you enjoy homemade comfort food that beats takeout, this Sesame Chicken is one recipe you will make again and again. For more dinner inspiration, save your favorite recipes on Pinterest at https://www.pinterest.com/ketoatmeal/.