A copy cat version of honey sesame chicken that has less fat and sugar than the original recipe.
This is one of those copycat recipes for honey sesame chicken – you know, the battered crispy chicken tossed in a sweet and tangy sauce that’s found at places like P.F. Changs and Panda Express? I always see the baked versions on Pinterest claiming they’re so much healthier than the original. Then I click on the pin and find out that while the recipe is indeed lower in fat, it’s full of sugar. I’m not opposed to a little sugar here or there, but some of these recipes have an entire cup of sugar or honey in the sauce. Might as well just eat a brownie for dinner. I set out to make a lower sugar version and came up with this healthier honey sesame chicken.
The trick to this recipe is lightly battered chicken which is then sauteed in a much smaller amount of oil than the restaurant version. The sauce is poured over the top and the whole thing is baked in the oven which allows the chicken to cook through and the sauce to thicken.
To get the best results with this recipe you need to take the time to really brown the chicken and let it develop a crispy crust. It’s a little more effort than I typically put into a weeknight meal, but it is definitely worth it. Now might be the time to put on your kid’s favorite TV show (my kids are all about My Little Pony right now!) while you tend to your chicken. After the chicken goes into the oven take that down time to put up a pot of rice and steam a vegetable to round out your meal.
When compared to the restaurant version, my honey sesame chicken recipe has significantly less oil and I reduced the sugar in the sauce by over 50%. This is definitely a meal you won’t feel guilty about making for your family. Is it the epitome of health food? Probably not, but still a much better choice considering the alternative.
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Honey Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts , cut into 1.5 inch pieces
- kosher salt
- ground black pepper
- 2 eggs , beaten
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Cooking spray
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (reduced sodium if possible)
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl, season generously with salt and pepper. Add 1/2 cup cornstarch to the chicken and toss to coat thoroughly.
- Dip each piece of coated chicken into the egg mixture, place onto a plate. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan and half of the chicken pieces. Make sure that the chicken pieces are all in a single layer.
- Cook the chicken until well browned, about 5 minutes, then flip the pieces and cook on the other side for another 5 minutes. Repeat the process with the remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil and other half of chicken.
- While the chicken is cooking, combine the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, sesame oil and tablespoon of cornstarch in a bowl.
- Coat a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the pan. Pour the sauce onto the chicken pieces. Cook for 25 minutes until sauce is thick and bubbly. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
Recipe Notes
Make Ahead: All of the sauce ingredients except the cornstarch can be mixed together a day in advance. Add the cornstarch right before use.
Little Helpers: My girls love to help measure and pour the sauce ingredients, I make the sauce in a reusable container, pop the lid on and then let them shake it up to mix everything together.
Things You’ll Need
I’ve pinned this – it looks incredible!! Thank you 🙂
That looks so good! Can’t wait to try the recipe!
Wow, this looks incredible. Definitely making for my family.
This is a great idea – and it can be hard to avoid both fat and sugar!
This looks so good, I think I’ll look into making it this week. The only meat I really like is chicken and it’s hard not to get bored with it- So thanks for sharing.
Sara, this is PINNED to my board! Love it, our daughter will go bananas over it, her favorite all time meal is Sesame chicken. I have done a baked version myself, but will be adding yours to mine 🙂
This looks amazing! I love the lighter side to this, thanks for sharing.. definitely a most try!
This looks delicious! And I love that it has less sugar than the typical sesame chicken recipe. Thanks for the great idea!
Yum! That looks GOOD!
I LOVE that you reduced the sugar in this. I prefer to save the sugar and extra calories for consuming dessert. 🙂 Looks delish! Pinned!
This looks great! I’m going to have to try this soon!
Oh my goodness this looks amazing!! I can’t wait to try it!
I have to admit that I really do love the unhealthy take away version of honey sesame chicken but I rarely do order it! You definitely have given me an excuse to make your honey chicken recipe, I just love that it’s a lightened up version.
I love sesame chicken and you’re right, your version looks so much tastier (and better for you!) Yum!
Agree on those restaurant sauces. Waaaay to sweet and sugary.
Love this idea! My kids will devour this meal. I laughed about My Little Pony – we went through that phase last year for a bit – not all those ponies are nice, are they??
Love this recipe, going to the top of my must make recipes! TFS
Looks so delicious, love the fact that its healthier!
This looks amazing! I am 25 weeks prego right now and all I can think about is chinese food! So thank you SO much for helping me curb my cravings! I made sure to pin this so I can use it over and over! Thanks for the recipe!
These flavors look fantastic!! Great recipe, thanks for sharing 🙂
You are so right about the claims of some pinterest recipes, they are not always what they claim! 🙂 Your chicken looks delicious and I love your photographs, pinning this!
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try it. We rarely make Chinese at home because I can’t seem to find recipes I love, but this one sounds great!
This looks amazing! I am going to have to give this a try for hubby and me!
Looks fantastic and LOVE that I can now eat it without the guilt. One of my favorite dishes. 🙂
Sara, this looks delicious! As usual, your picture makes me want to reach into your screen and serve myself!
Better than take out!
My sister made this for her family and I got to have some leftovers. I made her give me the recipe too! So good!
I’m so glad you and your sister enjoyed it!
I made this and it is sooooooo good! I love the sauce!