Honey Sesame Chicken

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how it hits that perfect balance of sweet honey, savory soy, and nutty sesame—all wrapped around crunchy fried chicken. It feels indulgent, yet making it at home means I can control the ingredients and skip preservatives. Plus, it’s a fun cooking project that delivers wow-factor flavors!

ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Chicken & Batter

• 1½ lb boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 tsp chicken bouillon powder

• ½ tsp white pepper

• 1 tbsp water

• 2 large eggs

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup cornstarch

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ cup water

• 2 tsp vegetable oil

• Vegetable oil for deep frying

Honey Sesame Sauce

• 3 tbsp light soy sauce

• 1 tbsp oyster sauce

• 2 tbsp rice vinegar

• 2 tbsp ketchup

• ¼ cup honey

• 3 tbsp brown sugar

• 3 tbsp water

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

Cornstarch Slurry

• 2 tsp cornstarch

• 3 tbsp water

Garnish

• Sliced green onions

• Toasted sesame seeds

directions

1. Marinate the chicken
   Mix chicken with bouillon powder, white pepper, and water. Let it marinate for at least 10 minutes.

2. Make the batter
   Whisk together eggs, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, water, and oil until smooth. Toss the chicken in the batter until fully coated.

3. First fry
   Heat 2–3 inches of oil to 365 °F. Fry chicken in batches for about 3 minutes, until the exterior is light golden. Drain on a wire rack.

4. Second fry
   Increase oil temperature to 375 °F. Fry the chicken again for 2 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Drain on a rack.

5. Make the sauce
   In a skillet, heat 1 tsp oil over medium heat. Sauté garlic for about 30 seconds. Add soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, honey, brown sugar, and water. Bring to a simmer.

6. Thicken the sauce
   Stir together cornstarch slurry, then whisk into the simmering sauce. Cook until thick and glossy, about 1 minute. Turn off heat, stir in sesame oil.

7. Toss & serve
   Coat the fried chicken in the sauce until fully glazed. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with steamed rice and veggies.

Servings and timing

• Servings: 6

• Prep Time: ~20 minutes

• Cook Time: ~25 minutes

• Total Time: ~45 minutes

Variations

• Chicken alternatives: Substitute boneless thighs or turkey breast.

• Gluten-free option: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and a gluten-free flour blend.

• Add heat: Stir in sriracha, red pepper flakes, or chili oil to the sauce.

• Skip deep-frying: Lightly pan-fry or air-fry the chicken for a healthier twist—coating won’t be as crunchy, but still delicious.

storage/reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, I warm it in the air fryer or oven at 350 °F until crispy again. The sauce can also be frozen separately for up to 3 months—thaw overnight and reheat before combining.

FAQs

Can I make this gluten-free?

Yes. Use tamari in place of soy sauce and a gluten-free flour/cornstarch blend for the batter—it remains just as tasty!

Is it possible to skip deep-frying?

Definitely. You can pan-sear the battered chicken in a skillet or air-fry it with a light spray of oil. Texture will be slightly different, but still flavorful.

How do I cut the sweetness?

Reduce the brown sugar or honey by half, or add a splash more rice vinegar for extra tang.

Can I prep this ahead?

For efficiency, coat and fry the chicken ahead, then store it separately from the sauce. Reheat and toss together right before serving to maintain crispness.

What should I serve it with?

I love it over steamed white or jasmine rice with steamed broccoli, bok choy, or snap peas for a complete meal.

Conclusion

This Honey Sesame Chicken blends crispy, saucy, sweet, and savory into one irresistible dish. It feels like takeout but tastes better when I make it myself. Whether you’re cooking for family or craving something comforting, this dish is a winner. I hope it becomes a favorite in your kitchen too!

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