Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Introduction
Honey Sesame Chicken is a delightful blend of crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. This recipe strikes the perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a favorite for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- Avocado oil or other light oil for frying
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce or Tamari sauce
- ½ cup honey
- 1 ½ tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 ½ tablespoons sesame seeds, for garnish
- 2 tablespoons green onion, finely chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces, pat dry, and season with 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt. Toss to combine evenly.
- Step 2: In a bowl, whisk the eggs until blended and set aside.
- Step 3: On a plate, combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Stir to mix well.
- Step 4: Heat about 2 inches of avocado oil in a frying pan over medium heat until hot.
- Step 5: Dip each chicken piece first in the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Step 6: Fry the chicken pieces in the hot oil for 4 to 5 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
- Step 7: Transfer the cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, then place in a bowl.
- Step 8: Meanwhile, in a small pot over medium heat, whisk together soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, and minced garlic.
- Step 9: Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened.
- Step 10: Remove the sauce from heat and drizzle over the fried chicken. Gently toss to coat everything evenly.
- Step 11: Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve hot over rice or quinoa with steamed broccoli for a complete meal.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, let the coated chicken rest for 10 minutes before frying.
- Substitute chicken thighs if you prefer juicier meat.
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less honey to the sauce according to your taste.
- Use gluten-free flour and tamari sauce to make the dish gluten-free.
Storage
Store leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to maintain crispiness, adding a splash of water if needed to loosen the sauce.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying it?
Yes, you can bake the coated chicken at 425°F (220°C) on a greased baking sheet for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through. Baking will produce a different texture but is a healthier alternative.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with firm tofu or cauliflower florets. Follow the same coating and cooking method, adjusting the frying time based on the substitute’s texture.
Print
Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Honey Sesame Chicken recipe features tender chicken breast pieces coated in a crispy flour and cornstarch batter, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions, this dish is perfect served over rice, quinoa, or alongside steamed vegetables for a flavorful homemade Asian-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ pound chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3 eggs, beaten
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- Avocado oil (or other light oil), for frying (about 2 inches deep)
Honey Sesame Sauce
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce (or Tamari sauce)
- ½ cup honey
- 1 ½ tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- 1 ½ tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons green onion, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and pat dry with paper towels. Season the chicken pieces with 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt and toss to coat evenly.
- Make the batter: In a bowl, whisk the eggs until blended and set aside. On a separate plate, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt until well combined.
- Heat the oil: Pour about 2 inches of avocado oil into a frying pan and heat it until it reaches frying temperature, approximately 350°F (175°C).
- Coat the chicken: Dip each seasoned chicken piece first into the beaten egg, letting any excess drip off, then dredge it in the flour and cornstarch mixture, shaking off any extra coating.
- Fry the chicken: Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil. Fry them for 4 to 5 minutes, turning halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Drain the chicken: Remove the fried chicken pieces with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Then place the drained chicken into a clean bowl.
- Prepare the sauce: While the chicken fries, combine soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, and minced garlic in a small pot over medium heat. Whisk the ingredients until blended.
- Simmer the sauce: Bring the sauce mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Toss chicken in sauce: Remove the sauce from heat and immediately drizzle it over the fried chicken in the bowl. Gently toss the chicken until all pieces are evenly coated with the honey sesame sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chicken with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve hot over rice, quinoa, or alongside steamed broccoli for a complete meal.
Notes
- For the best crispy texture, drain the fried chicken on paper towels immediately after frying.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier result, but cooking times may vary slightly.
- Adjust the honey and brown sugar amounts to taste for a sweeter or less sweet sauce.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to prevent soggy chicken.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables or a simple cucumber salad for freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Keywords: Honey Sesame Chicken, Crispy Chicken, Asian Chicken Recipe, Fried Chicken with Honey Sauce, Sesame Chicken