If you are craving a dish that delivers big on flavor and is surprisingly simple to make, this Easy Chinese Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe is your new best friend. Crispy chicken coated in a sticky, sweet honey glaze with a delightful crunch of toasted sesame seeds makes every bite utterly irresistible. Whether you’re cooking a weeknight dinner or impressing friends, this recipe brings that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors to your table with minimal fuss but maximum satisfaction.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The charm of this Easy Chinese Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe lies in its straightforward, yet purposeful ingredients. Each one plays a special role, whether it’s creating that perfect golden crust, the sticky honey glaze, or the subtle nutty undertones that make this dish truly shine.
- Chicken thighs (1 lb / 500g, sliced): Juicy and tender, perfect for absorbing flavors and staying moist while baking.
- Salt (1/2 tsp): Essential for seasoning and enhancing the natural flavors of the chicken.
- Sesame paste or tahini (2 tsp): Adds a rich, nutty depth to the marinade, lifting the dish beyond ordinary.
- Soy sauce (2 tsp for marinade, 1.5 tbsp for sauce): Brings umami and slight saltiness, uniting the other ingredients.
- Sesame seeds (1.5 tbsp toasted + 1/2 tbsp toasted for garnish): Adds crunch and a toasty aroma that’s signature to sesame chicken.
- Plain flour (1/2 cup): Creates a crispy coating when coated and baked on the chicken.
- Oil spray: Helps crisp the chicken evenly without deep frying.
- Chinese cooking wine or sherry (1 tbsp): Enhances flavor complexity with a subtle tangy sweetness (can substitute with chicken stock).
- Chicken broth or stock (3/4 cup): Forms the base of the sticky honey sauce, adding moisture and flavor.
- Rice wine vinegar or Chinese black vinegar (1 tsp): Balances the sweetness with mild acidity.
- Honey (3.5 tbsp): The sweet star of the sauce that gives it that beautiful glossy finish.
- Sesame oil (2 tsp): Provides a fragrant, toasted sesame aroma that’s indispensable.
- Cornstarch mixed with water (1.5 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water): Thickens the sauce to that perfect syrupy consistency.
- Vegetable oil (2 tsp): Used for sautéing garlic and creating the sauce base.
- Garlic cloves (2, minced): Infuses the sauce with aromatic warmth.
- Scallion or shallot stem (1, sliced): Adds freshness and a mild bite as garnish.
How to Make Easy Chinese Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Tray
Begin by heating your oven to a blazing 200C/430F, placing the rack at the highest level. While it heats up, spray your baking tray with oil spray to ensure the chicken won’t stick and will crisp beautifully.
Step 2: Marinade the Chicken
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sesame paste and soy sauce until smooth. This mixture loosens the sesame paste, making it easy to coat the chicken evenly. Toss in your chicken slices, sprinkle the salt and half the toasted sesame seeds, mixing so every piece is lovingly coated in the flavorful blend.
Step 3: Flour the Chicken
Place the flour in a separate bowl, then coat each marinated chicken piece in the flour, shaking off the excess. This step is key for that perfect, slightly crispy crust after baking.
Step 4: Bake the Chicken
Arrange the floured chicken pieces evenly on your prepared baking tray and bake for 12 minutes. This initial bake cooks the chicken gently while setting up the crust for crispiness.
Step 5: Get Ready to Broil
Switch your oven to the broiler or grill setting, cranking it as high as possible. Position the oven rack approximately 15cm (or 6 inches) from the heat source to prepare for the golden finish.
Step 6: Broil Until Crispy and Golden
Flip the chicken pieces over and place them under the broiler for about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on the color, aiming for a crispy, golden exterior that’s packed with texture—this is the moment your chicken transforms into a gorgeous centerpiece.
Step 7: Prepare the Sauce Mix
While the chicken broils, combine all of the sauce ingredients (Chinese cooking wine, chicken broth, vinegar, honey, soy sauce, and sesame oil) in one bowl. In a separate small bowl, stir together the cornstarch and water mixture. These two bowls will be your magic potion for that luscious sauce.
Step 8: Bring Garlic Aroma to Life
Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or skillet over medium heat. Toss in the minced garlic and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. This step releases the garlic’s essence, which is the heart of the sauce.
Step 9: Cook the Sauce to Perfection
Pour in your prepared sauce mixture and bring it to a gentle bubble. Then, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for about 30 seconds until the sauce thickens into a sticky, shiny syrup that hugs every bite of chicken.
Step 10: Coat the Chicken in Sauce
Remove the sauce from the heat immediately to prevent over-thickening. Drizzle the sauce over the baked chicken pieces or toss them together in the skillet. The sticky honey glaze will cling beautifully to each crispy morsel.
Step 11: Garnish and Serve
Finish by sprinkling the remaining toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions or shallots on top. Serve this dish hot alongside a bed of fluffy white rice to soak up every bit of the luscious honey sesame sauce.
How to Serve Easy Chinese Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Sesame seeds and scallions are not just pretty additions; they bring texture and fresh herbal notes that cut through the sweetness. Toasted sesame seeds add a satisfying crunch and nuttiness, while scallions brighten the dish with their crisp bite.
Side Dishes
This chicken shines brightest when paired with simple sides like steamed jasmine rice or brown rice to balance the sweetness. For freshness, quickly sautéed bok choy or crisp snap peas work beautifully, offering a refreshing contrast to the rich sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the chicken over a bed of noodles tossed with light soy and sesame oil, garnished with thinly sliced red chili for a hint of heat. Alternatively, present it on a platter with fresh cucumber ribbons and a sprinkle of crushed peanuts for added crunch and color pop.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can keep leftover honey sesame chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to let the chicken cool before sealing to maintain its texture.
Freezing
If you want to save it longer, freeze the cooked chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 2 months. This way, when thawed, your chicken stays as crisp as possible and the sauce remains deliciously thick.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken in the oven at 180C/350F for 10 minutes to regain that crispy edge, then spoon warm sauce over before serving. Avoid microwaving directly, as it can make the chicken soggy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs for this recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts will work, but keep in mind they can dry out more quickly than thighs. Slice them moderately thin and watch the baking time to avoid overcooking.
Is sesame paste the same as tahini?
They’re very similar; sesame paste is generally thicker and less bitter than tahini. If using tahini, opt for a smooth, pure kind to preserve the authentic flavor of the honey sesame sauce.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free alternative like rice flour or cornstarch. Also, ensure to use gluten-free soy sauce to keep every bite safe and tasty.
What if I don’t have Chinese cooking wine?
No worries — you can use sherry or even chicken broth as a substitute. The wine adds subtle depth and aroma, but the dish will still taste fantastic without it.
How do I get the chicken extra crispy without frying?
The trick is coating the chicken in flour, baking on a high rack closer to the oven’s heating element, then finishing under the broiler. This method crisps the outside beautifully without the mess of frying.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Chinese Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that combines simplicity with bold flavor, turning your kitchen into a cozy, fragrant haven. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it quickly becomes a go-to meal to whip up when you want something comforting and impressive without hours of work. So, put on your apron and get ready to relish every sticky, crispy, honey-kissed bite — it’s pure happiness on a plate.
