Name: Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 ½ lb chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces; 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder; ½ teaspoon white pepper; 1 tablespoon water; 2 large eggs; ½ cup all-purpose flour; ½ cup cornstarch; 2 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ cup water; 2 teaspoon vegetable oil; 3 tablespoon light soy sauce; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 2 tablespoon rice vinegar; 2 tablespoon ketchup; ¼ cup honey; 3 tablespoon brown sugar; 3 tablespoon water; 4 cloves garlic; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; 2 teaspoon corn starch; 3 tablespoon water; Green onion, sliced; Toasted sesame seeds

Jump to Recipe·5 from 10 reviews

Get ready to fall in love with Honey Sesame Chicken—a delightful dish that brings together tender, golden-fried chicken bites and a lusciously sticky-sweet sauce. Each mouthful offers the best of homemade Chinese takeout: juicy chicken enveloped in a caramelized glaze, kissed with nutty sesame and a hint of garlic. Both comforting and incredibly simple to make, this Honey Sesame Chicken recipe is your ticket to a flavor-packed dinner that will have everyone reaching for seconds.

Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this Honey Sesame Chicken so irresistible is how a handful of straightforward ingredients can transform into a show-stopping meal. Each component plays a key role—giving the dish its classic taste, irresistible crunch, and glossy finish. Here’s how they work together:

Chicken breast or thighs: Use boneless, skinless pieces for juicy, tender bites that soak up the marinade beautifully.
Chicken bouillon powder: Adds umami depth and boosts savory flavor.
White pepper: Lends a subtle heat that’s more delicate than black pepper.
Water (for marinade): Helps the flavors penetrate the chicken and keeps it moist.
Eggs: Act as the glue in the batter, giving the chicken its signature crispy coat.
All-purpose flour: Provides structure for a satisfying crunch.
Cornstarch: Makes the batter extra light and irresistibly crispy.
Baking powder: Ensures airy, puffy batter for the perfect bite.
Salt: Enhances every flavor in the dish.
Vegetable oil (for batter and frying): Gives richness to the batter and makes the chicken beautifully golden.
Light soy sauce: The foundation for a salty-sweet sauce with a classic Chinese takeout taste.
Oyster sauce: Brings deep umami and a subtle sweetness.
Rice vinegar: Offers a bright tanginess to balance the honey.
Ketchup: Adds an unexpected sweet-tart twist and vibrant color.
Honey: The star ingredient, lending sticky sweetness and shine.
Brown sugar: Deepens the sauce’s sweetness and creates a rich caramel note.
Water (for sauce): Adjusts the sauce thickness to perfectly coat the chicken.
Garlic: Sauteed until fragrant, it infuses the sauce with an aromatic base.
Sesame oil: Adds nutty fragrance, rounding out every bite.
Cornstarch slurry: Thickens the sauce just enough to cling luxuriously to the chicken.
Green onions: A fresh, colorful garnish that brightens up the dish.
Toasted sesame seeds: For a final crunch and nutty finish.

How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken into 1-inch pieces for the perfect bite size. Place them in a bowl with chicken bouillon powder, white pepper, and water. Toss everything together thoroughly so every piece is coated. This quick marinade is like a fast track to deeper flavor and juiciness—not a step to skip! Let the chicken soak this up for at least 10 minutes; it’s a small wait for a big payoff.

Step 2: Mix the Sauce

In a small bowl, combine light soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, honey, brown sugar, and water. Stir it well until everything is blended and set aside. This glossy sauce is the magic that transforms crispy chicken into the sticky, crave-worthy Honey Sesame Chicken we all know and love.

Step 3: Make the Batter

For the crunchiest chicken possible, whisk together eggs, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, water, and a dash of oil in a separate bowl. You’ll notice the batter looks thick and smooth. Pour this over your marinated chicken, using your hands or tongs to make sure each piece is beautifully coated and ready for frying.

Step 4: Fry the Chicken

Heat a few inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or wok until it reaches 365°F. Carefully place the battered chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in batches (overcrowding the pan means less crispy chicken!). Fry for about 3 minutes until lightly golden. A spider strainer or slotted spoon makes it easy to scoop the chicken out and transfer to a wire rack to drain.

Step 5: Double Fry the Chicken

For truly restaurant-style crunch, it’s time for the double-fry! Increase your oil temperature to 375°F. Return the chicken to the oil in batches, frying just 2 more minutes until each piece turns deeply golden and shatteringly crisp. Another quick stint on the wire rack, and your chicken is ready for its saucy finale.

Step 6: Cook the Honey Sesame Sauce

Wipe your wok clean and add just a touch of oil over medium heat. Saute the garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds), then pour in your pre-mixed sauce. Bring it all to a simmer, stirring for a couple of minutes to meld the flavors. When it barely begins to bubble, stir the cornstarch slurry together and add it in to thicken the sauce. After one minute, turn off the heat and finish it with a splash of sesame oil for unbeatable fragrance.

Step 7: Combine and Serve

Toss the fried chicken pieces in the bubbling sauce until every nook and cranny gets coated in that irresistible honey-sesame glaze. Transfer to a serving platter, then shower with toasted sesame seeds and slices of green onion. Congratulations! Your homemade Honey Sesame Chicken tastes every bit as incredible as your favorite takeout.

How to Serve Honey Sesame Chicken

Garnishes

A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and a handful of bright green scallion slices are more than just decoration—they add crunch, color, and a burst of fresh flavor that makes Honey Sesame Chicken truly irresistible.

Side Dishes

This dish feels right at home with fluffy steamed jasmine rice that soaks up all that glossy sauce. If you want variety, try pairing it with stir-fried vegetables, simple lo mein noodles, or even homemade fried rice for that full takeout feast at home.

Creative Ways to Present

Go beyond the usual plating by serving Honey Sesame Chicken in lettuce cups for a fun, hand-held appetizer, or pile it onto a bed of Asian slaw for a refreshing crunch. If you’re entertaining, try making “mini bowls” using small ramekins or even as sliders on fluffy steamed bao buns!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Honey Sesame Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The sauce may soak in a bit overnight, but the flavors deepen, making the leftovers just as delightful for up to 3 days.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze the cooked chicken (without sauce) in a zip-top bag or container for up to 2 months. Keep the sauce separate and freeze in a small container. This way, you can maintain that freshly crisped texture when reheating.

Reheating

To recapture the crispy outside, reheat chicken pieces in a 375°F oven on a rack for about 10 minutes. Warm the sauce separately on the stovetop or microwave, then toss together before serving. Avoid microwaving the chicken alone, as it may lose its crunch.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs stay extra juicy and are actually preferred by some cooks for their richer flavor. Just make sure to trim any excess fat and cut into even pieces for consistent cooking.

What’s the secret to getting really crispy chicken?

Double frying is the real key here. The first fry cooks the chicken through, while the second higher-heat fry locks in the crispiness and achieves that golden, crunchy coating everyone loves in Honey Sesame Chicken.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend and use tamari or coconut aminos in place of regular soy sauce. Be sure to double-check your oyster sauce for hidden gluten if you’re sensitive.

Is there a way to make Honey Sesame Chicken less sweet?

Of course! Simply cut back the honey and brown sugar by a tablespoon or two each. Taste as you go—you still want that signature sticky glaze, with plenty of room for balance.

Can I bake the chicken instead of frying it?

While baked chicken can be a lighter option, you’ll lose some of that signature crispy texture. If you want to try, arrange battered chicken pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 425°F, flipping halfway, until golden and fully cooked.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crispy, look no further than this Honey Sesame Chicken recipe. It’s unbelievably satisfying, fun to make, and bound to be a family favorite. Go ahead—invite friends over or treat yourself to a homemade takeout night. Once you see how easy it is to whip up Honey Sesame Chicken in your own kitchen, you may never want to order out again!