This sesame chicken is crispy chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. This version is even better than what you would get at a restaurant!
We have Asian food at least once a week, some of our favorites include lemon chicken, sweet and sour chicken, and lettuce wraps. Sesame chicken is another one I make regularly, that delicious sauce just can’t be beat!
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 have to say, I think this homemade version is even better than what I’ve had in restaurants. My kids most definitely agree.
How do you make sesame chicken?
This recipe starts with pieces of chicken breast that are coated in eggs, flour and cornstarch. The chicken is fried to golden brown crispy perfection, then tossed in a delectable sesame sauce.
What is sesame chicken made out of?
While I typically use chicken breasts for this recipe, I’ve also made it with chicken thighs which also works well. The sauce is a combination of honey, ketchup, soy sauce, garlic and sesame oil and takes just minutes to put together. Sometimes I even make the sauce a day or two in advance, then store it in the fridge until we’re ready to eat.
This chicken is fried in a few inches of oil which makes for a crispy outer crust. It’s best to use a thermometer to makes sure that your frying oil is around 350 degrees F. If the oil is too hot, the outside may get overly browned before the chicken is cooked through. If the temperature is to cool, the chicken will absorb more oil and be overly greasy.
If you’re looking for a healthier version of sesame chicken, you can skip the coating and frying and simply saute chicken breast pieces in a bit of oil, then proceed with the sauce as directed.
After your chicken is done, the last step is to toss it in the sauce. You’ll want to serve your sesame chicken immediately as the crispy coating will start to soften when it hits the sauce.
I typically serve my finished chicken over steamed rice. Other great options are quinoa, chow mein noodles, or zucchini noodles.
Can I just tell you how good this crispy chicken is? My kids request it all the time. No need to call for take out when you can make your own at home!
More Asian food recipes
Sesame Chicken Video
Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 eggs beaten
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- oil for frying
For the sauce
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (reduced sodium if possible)
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
Instructions
- Place the eggs, salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir to combine
- Place the flour and 1/2 cup of cornstarch in a shallow bowl or on a plate. Stir to combine.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then into the flour. Repeat the process with all of the chicken.
- Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pan to 350 degrees F
- Add 7-8 pieces of chicken to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken
- Drain the chicken on paper towels
- While the chicken is cooking, combine the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in a bowl.
- Heat the teaspoon of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the honey sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until just thickened.
- Add the crispy chicken to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions, then serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on April 14, 2015 and was updated on September 26, 2018 with new content.
Great recipe and delicious meal. Will def make again. Looking forward to trying more of your recipes, after making this one.
GREAT RECIPE!!
Will definently make it many more times.
GREAT RECIPE!!
Will definitely make it many more times.
Thank you!
This is a very indulgent and delicious recipe. Might try lessening the sugar or honey next time for health reasons but not sure that would be the same. Because of wheat and corn allergies, I subbed liquid aminos for soy sauce, gluten free flour for wheat flour and arrowroot powder for cornstarch…all worked great!
This was an AMAZING dish! Wayyyy better than takeout. I highly recommend making this exactly the way it’s written and you will love it. Thank you!
I’m a beginner in cooking. Highly doubted this would come out as pictured, but I was proven wrong! This is a great and very easy recipe! Was gone in minutes. Tastes better than store bought. THANKS!!!
Needs some salt but otherwise deelish
This is so delicious!!! This recipe tastes just like something you’d get from a restaurant–maybe even better!
I made this and added candied ginger! It makes it sweet and slightly spicy! Just mince the candied ginger And add it to the sauce while simmering it. Served it alongside some homemade fried rice. We will never go eat Chinese out again. No more wondering whether the meat is really chicken! It tastes so much better! Crispy and even so much better the next day with steamed rice! Thank you for this recipe! It is now my go to! Best recipe on the net! The proportions are absolutely perfect. Also, if you don’t have cornstarch, we used self rising flour as the substitute and still got a great alternative! Just not tempura like batter. More like a breading on the chicken! Same crunchy effect though.
I made this for dinner and we absolutely LOVED it. I thought I made it exactly written til I read the reviews. People mentioned vinegar and I thought “what vinegar”..looked back at recipe and totally didn’t see so I missed using it. It was so good I’m afraid to use next time. This is a keeper!!
Thank you for the great recipe. This is the 5 recipe I have used from your site and so far your one of my favorites!!
This recipe is delicious! Good bye Saturday night Chinese carry out ! When it’s this good I’ll make my own. Fantastic recipe & I had everything needed in my store cupboard. Thank you. I think this recipe might be repeated often. A big family favourite.. lockdown cooking! 🌈😊
Loved this recipe. It was sweet, tangy and well balanced. Yum!
We love this recipe!!
This was excellent! I followed the recipe exactly as outlined and the whole family loved it! They told me it was better then the sesame chicken at the Chinese restaurant! It’s definitely a keeper!!!
This was delicious! My 6yo loves sesame chicken and he definitely approved which means it’s a win for mom lol. I followed the recipe exactly for sauce and used chicken I already had. So glad I doubled it because it’s that good. I’d eat just a bowl of rice covered in the sauce. Thanks for a keeper!
This dish is delicious! I didn’t bread and fry the chicken, just sauteed it in a pan and covered with the sauce. The sauce is soool good. My whole family loved it. Will definitely make this again. 😁
What would I change to make a little less sweet, more spicy?
You could use less honey or brown sugar and add sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes!
I made this and added candied ginger! It makes it sweet and slightly spicy! Just mince the candied ginger And add it to the sauce while simmering it.
Honestly one of the best recipes I’ve ever made. My whole family loved it, I wouldn’t change a thing!
Tried it. tasty n ready in minutes❤️
This was one of those dishes where you want seconds and even thirds! It was so so good! I’m in the UK and lucky enough to travel for work. My go-to in the USA is Panda Express. Whilst I’m not able to travel, this is a perfect (and perhaps even better) substitute.
I couldn’t get my hands on rice vinegar so substituted for apple cider vinegar.