Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

You know that moment when you're craving Chinese takeout but don't want to spend $20 on dinner? That's exactly how I felt last Tuesday night when Amy asked for "the chicken with the sticky sauce" for the third time this week. Instead of reaching for my phone to order delivery, I decided to tackle making honey sesame chicken at home - and honestly? Best decision I've ever made in my kitchen.

This homemade version is everything you love about restaurant honey sesame chicken, but better. We're talking crispy, golden chicken pieces coated in a glossy, sweet-savory sauce that'll have your family asking for seconds (and thirds, if you're Bradley). The best part? You probably have most of these ingredients in your pantry right now.

I've been perfecting this recipe for months, ever since John mentioned how much he missed his favorite Chinese place from college. After testing it with my family at least a dozen times, I can confidently say this beats any takeout version we've ever had. If you're looking for more Asian-inspired comfort food, you'll love my Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp that pairs perfectly with steamed rice.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
• Ingredients For Perfect Honey Sesame Chicken
• How To Make The Best Honey Sesame Chicken At Home
• Storage & Reheating Your Honey Sesame Chicken
• Creative Honey Sesame Chicken Variations
• Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Sesame Chicken
• Recipes You May Like
• Conclusion
• Honey Sesame Chicken

Why You'll Love This Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

• Restaurant-quality results at home - Double frying creates that signature crispy coating that stays crunchy even after tossing in sauce
• Ready in just 45 minutes - Faster than delivery and way more satisfying to make yourself
• Kid-approved flavor - Sweet honey and savory sesame make this a guaranteed hit with picky eaters
• Perfect crispy texture - The cornstarch and flour batter creates the most amazing crunch
• Customizable spice level - Add chili flakes if you want heat, or keep it mild for the whole family
• Better than takeout - You control the ingredients, so no weird preservatives or excessive sodium

Ingredients For Perfect Honey Sesame Chicken

For the Chicken Marinade:

• 1½ pounds chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• 1 tablespoon water

For the Batter:

• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup water
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil

For the Honey Sesame Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• ¼ cup honey
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons water
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

For the Cornstarch Slurry:

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons water

For Garnish:

• Green onions, sliced
• Toasted sesame seeds

Here's what I've learned about ingredients after making this so many times: don't skip the chicken bouillon powder in the marinade. I know it sounds weird, but it adds this incredible depth of flavor that makes the chicken taste like it came from your favorite restaurant. Amy actually discovered this trick when she was "helping" me cook one Sunday afternoon.

How To Make The Best Honey Sesame Chicken At Home

Preparing the Chicken

1. Marinate the chicken pieces. Place your 1-inch chicken pieces in a bowl with chicken bouillon powder, white pepper, and water. Mix everything together until the chicken is evenly coated. Let this marinate for at least 10 minutes, but honestly? 30 minutes is even better if you have the time.
2. Mix the honey sesame sauce. In a small bowl, combine the light soy sauce, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, honey, brown sugar, and water. Whisk until everything is completely combined and set aside. This sauce is what makes the whole dish special - it's sweet, savory, and has this amazing glossy finish.

Creating the Perfect Batter

3. Make the crispy batter. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, water, and oil until you have a smooth batter. The secret here is the combination of flour and cornstarch - it creates the most incredible crispy coating.
4. Coat the chicken. Pour the batter over the marinated chicken and mix until each piece is completely covered. Don't worry if it looks a bit thick - that's exactly what we want for maximum crispiness.

Double Frying for Ultimate Crispiness

5. Heat the oil for first fry. Heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or wok over medium-high heat until it reaches 365°F. Trust me, using a thermometer here makes all the difference - I learned this the hard way after a few batches of soggy chicken.
6. First fry the chicken. Carefully place the battered chicken pieces in the hot oil, working in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 3 minutes, then remove with a spider strainer and place on a wire rack to drain.
7. Second fry for extra crispiness. Increase the oil temperature to 375°F and fry the chicken again in batches for 2 minutes, or until golden brown and super crispy. This double-frying technique is what makes restaurant-style honey sesame chicken so amazing.

Making the Glossy Honey Sesame Sauce

8. Cook the aromatic sauce. Add 1 teaspoon of oil to your wok over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant - your kitchen will smell incredible at this point.
9. Simmer and thicken. Pour in your prepared sauce mixture and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly for 2 minutes. Mix your cornstarch slurry, add it to the simmering sauce, and stir until it thickens (about 1 minute). Remove from heat and stir in the sesame oil.
10. Combine and serve. Toss the crispy chicken with the glossy sauce until every piece is evenly coated. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, then serve immediately over steamed rice.

Storage & Reheating Your Honey Sesame Chicken

Store any leftover honey sesame chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

The trick to reheating is using your oven, not the microwave. Preheat to 350°F and spread the chicken on a baking sheet for 10-15 minutes. This helps restore some of that crispy texture we worked so hard to achieve.

Honestly though? This recipe never lasts more than a day in our house. Bradley practically inhaled his serving last time I made it, and John was already asking when I'd make it again before he'd even finished eating.

Creative Honey Sesame Chicken Variations

Make it spicier: Add 1-2 teaspoons of chili flakes to the sauce for some heat. John loves this version, but I usually make a separate batch for the kids.

Try different proteins: This sauce is amazing on shrimp or pork too. Just adjust the cooking times accordingly.

Add vegetables: Toss in some steamed broccoli or snap peas right before serving for extra nutrition and color.

Make it lighter: You can bake the battered chicken at 425°F for 20-25 minutes instead of frying, flipping halfway through. It won't be quite as crispy, but it's still delicious and much healthier.

The thing about this recipe is that once you make it, you'll never want to order takeout honey sesame chicken again. There's something so satisfying about creating that perfect balance of crispy and saucy right in your own kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions About Honey Sesame Chicken

Recipes You May Like

• Mongolian Beef Recipe - Another crowd-pleasing Asian takeout favorite that's even better homemade
• Spaghetti Napolitan - If you love fusion flavors, this Japanese-Italian pasta dish is amazing
• Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp - Perfect for when you want that sweet and savory combo with seafood

Conclusion

Making honey sesame chicken at home has become one of our favorite family dinner traditions. There's something special about creating those crispy, saucy pieces of perfection right in your own kitchen, and honestly? It tastes so much better than anything we've ever ordered.

The double-frying technique might seem like extra work, but trust me - it's what makes all the difference between soggy homemade chicken and restaurant-quality results. Plus, you get to control exactly what goes into your food, which makes this mom very happy.

Give this recipe a try the next time you're craving Chinese takeout. I guarantee it'll become a regular in your dinner rotation, just like it has in ours. Don't forget to save this to Pinterest so you can find it again when those honey sesame chicken cravings hit!

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