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· 4.7 from 5 reviews

If you crave the magic of your favorite takeout but want something even better straight from your own kitchen, this Honey Sesame Chicken is about to become your new obsession. Tender, juicy pieces of chicken are fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a glossy, sweet-savory sauce bursting with honey, sesame, and a subtle warmth. The vibrant flavors, tantalizing textures, and tempting aroma make this dish a true showstopper for weeknights, gatherings, or anytime you want to impress with surprisingly little effort. Let’s dive into making Honey Sesame Chicken that rivals the best restaurant versions!

Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Honey Sesame Chicken shines because each ingredient does its part, from crisping up that chicken just right to creating a sauce with serious flavor power. Don’t worry—everything is easy to find and guaranteed to bring color and excitement to your plate!

Chicken breast or thighs: Opt for chicken pieces cut into 1-inch cubes for maximum juiciness and perfect bite-size results.
Chicken bouillon powder: A little sprinkle here boosts the savory depth of the marinade and brings a lovely umami undercurrent.
White pepper: This adds gentle heat without overpowering the other flavors—don’t skip it!
Water (for marinade): Ensures all the dry ingredients for the marinade coat each piece of chicken evenly.
Eggs: Essential for creating a batter that clings, crisps, and helps seal in moisture.
All-purpose flour: The classic foundation for a light and crisp coating.
Cornstarch: Gives that irresistible crunch you know and love in crispy Asian chicken dishes.
Baking powder: A pinch delivers extra puff and crunch for a professional finish.
Salt: Boosts the savoriness in every layer of the chicken.
Water (for batter): Keeps the batter smooth and just the right consistency.
Vegetable oil (for batter): Helps the batter fry up even crispier and more golden.
Light soy sauce: Provides the salty-sweet backbone to the signature Honey Sesame sauce.
Oyster sauce: Adds richness and an umami hit—totally worth including for depth.
Rice vinegar: Balances the sweetness with a refreshing, tangy lift.
Ketchup: Brings mellow acidity and color, plus a nostalgic undertone.
Honey: The star that creates the sauce’s luscious sweetness and sticky finish.
Brown sugar: Adds caramel notes and rounds out the sauce’s complexity.
Water (for sauce): Helps everything blend evenly, so no ingredient overpowers.
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic infuses aromatic warmth in every bite.
Sesame oil: Matching the name, a drizzle at the end perfumes the dish with unmistakable toasty sesame aroma.
Cornstarch (for slurry): Thickens the sauce to that signature glossy, clingy perfection.
Water (for slurry): Blends with cornstarch to smooth out and prevent lumps.
Green onion: Sliced for a fresh, colorful, peppery finish to each bite.
Toasted sesame seeds: Sprinkled over the top, these finish the dish with nutty flair and a little crunch.

How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by tossing your chicken pieces in a bowl with the bouillon powder, white pepper, and a splash of water. This short marinade infuses the chicken with savory flavor and just enough seasoning—all while you get everything else ready. Let it soak up those flavors for at least 10 minutes.

Step 2: Mix the Sauce

In a small bowl, combine light soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, honey, brown sugar, and water. Stir until everything’s dissolved and the sauce looks glossy. This mixture is the heart of the Honey Sesame Chicken, bringing together salty, sweet, tangy, and umami elements in perfect balance.

Step 3: Make the Batter

Whisk together eggs, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, water, and a little oil until smooth. Pour the batter over the marinated chicken and mix well so every piece is beautifully coated. This step guarantees that super-crispy finish everyone loves!

Step 4: Fry the Chicken

Pour 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil into a wok or heavy-bottomed pot and heat it to 365°F. Carefully add the battered chicken pieces, working in batches to avoid crowding, and fry for about 3 minutes. When ready, remove the chicken with a slotted spoon or spider strainer and let them drain on a wire rack—they should be golden and irresistibly crispy.

Step 5: Double-Fry for Extra Crispiness

Now crank up the oil to 375°F and do a second fry, also in batches, for another 2 minutes. This crucial Honey Sesame Chicken trick locks in the crunch and brings that shatteringly crisp texture you get from the best Chinese restaurants. Drain again so they’re ready for the sauce.

Step 6: Cook the Honey Sesame Sauce

Add a teaspoon of oil to a wok or skillet over medium heat, then briefly sauté the garlic until fragrant—about 30 seconds is perfect. Pour in your prepared sauce and stir, letting it come to a gentle simmer. While it’s simmering, mix your cornstarch slurry (cornstarch plus water) and add it to the sauce, stirring until it thickens to that dreamy, glossy state (about 1 minute). Finish with a swirl of sesame oil for flavor depth, then turn off the heat.

Step 7: Combine and Serve

Toss the double-fried chicken pieces in the thickened honey sesame sauce until every piece is evenly coated and gloriously sticky. Top with a shower of green onion and toasted sesame seeds. Serve right away for maximum crunch and flavor impact!

How to Serve Honey Sesame Chicken

Garnishes

Don’t skip the fresh green onions and toasted sesame seeds—these garnishes do more than just look pretty! The green onion adds a bright pop of color and a crisp, peppery bite, while the sesame seeds dial up the nutty, toasty notes in every mouthful of Honey Sesame Chicken.

Side Dishes

This dish is a superstar over steamy jasmine rice, but you can switch things up with fried rice, lo mein, or even cauliflower rice for a lighter twist. For a touch of freshness, serve with lightly steamed broccoli or snap peas to balance the sticky-sweet chicken flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to elevate your Honey Sesame Chicken for a party or special dinner, serve it in individual bowls over a bed of rice, or skewer the chicken pieces and drizzle with extra sauce for a fun, bite-sized appetizer. You can also pile it onto a big platter surrounded by colorful veggies for a family-style feast that’s sure to impress.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Honey Sesame Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. While the chicken won’t be quite as crisp as when fresh, it’s still wonderfully flavorful and perfect for quick lunches or next-day dinners.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, freeze the fried (but unsauced) chicken pieces separately from the sauce. Freeze both in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for up to two months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw, re-crisp the chicken, heat the sauce, and toss together for an almost just-cooked experience.

Reheating

To regain some crunch, reheat the chicken pieces in a 400°F oven or air fryer until warmed through and crispy. Heat the sauce on the stovetop or in the microwave, then toss together. This two-step method delivers the best texture and flavor for second-day Honey Sesame Chicken.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are actually more forgiving and remain extra juicy after frying, making them a great choice for Honey Sesame Chicken. Just cut them into evenly sized pieces for even cooking.

What oil is best for frying?

Choose a high-smoke-point oil like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. These oils get nice and hot without burning, guaranteeing that crisp, golden coating Honey Sesame Chicken is known for.

Is this sauce very sweet?

Honey Sesame Chicken has a beautifully balanced sauce with honey and brown sugar for sweetness, but the soy sauce and vinegar keep it from being cloying. You can adjust the honey or sugar a little if you prefer a less-sweet sauce—no problem!

Can I bake instead of fry the chicken?

While baking or air-frying won’t give you exactly the same crunch, it’s a fine option for a lighter version of Honey Sesame Chicken. Just make sure to coat each piece in oil and bake at a high temperature, turning halfway, until golden and crisp.

How do I keep the chicken crispy after saucing?

The best tip: only toss the chicken in sauce right before serving! If you need to wait, keep the fried chicken pieces warm in the oven on a rack and heat the sauce separately. Combine just before eating to preserve that irresistible crunch.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you to taste just how easy and delicious Honey Sesame Chicken can be at home. Every bite is sticky, crunchy, sweet, and thoroughly satisfying—a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for your family or your next gathering. Once you try it, you’ll want to make this recipe again and again!