This honey sesame chicken is easy to make with crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory sauce made with honey, sesame oil and sesame seeds. Better than takeout!

This recipe is sesame chicken meets honey garlic chicken with the most delicious sweet and savory flavor!

Honey sesame chicken on a plate garnished with sesame seeds and green onion.

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Key Takeaways: Honey Sesame Chicken

  • Ready in 30 minutes: A quick and easy dinner for busy weeknights. Faster than you can order Chinese takeout!
  • Crispy chicken: Cornstarch creates a light, crisp coating without deep frying.
  • Homemade sauce: The sweet and savory honey sesame sauce thickens until glossy and coats every bite.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love recreating our favorite Asian-inspired dinners at home, and this honey sesame chicken has everything I want: crispy chicken, a sticky sauce and plenty of sweet and savory flavor.

It joins sweet and sour chicken and Kung Pao chicken in our weeknight rotation because it’s ready in 30 minutes. We usually serve it with fried rice and steamed vegetables for an easy complete meal.

XO - Jamielyn

Ingredient Notes

Overhead view of honey sesame chicken ingredients, including cubed chicken breast, honey, soy sauce, sesame seeds, cornstarch, eggs and oil.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well, but chicken thighs can also be used. Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
  • Cornstarch: This gives the chicken its light, crispy coating and also thickens the honey sesame sauce.
  • Eggs: Dipping the coated chicken in whisked eggs helps create a crisp exterior as it fries.
  • Oil: Use a neutral oil with a higher smoke point, such as canola or avocado oil.
  • Honey sesame sauce: Honey and sugar add sweetness, while regular soy sauce and rice vinegar balance it with salty and tangy flavor. Toasted sesame oil and sesame seeds give the sauce its signature sesame flavor.
  • Water: Thins the sauce initially so it can simmer and thicken without becoming too sticky.

How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe

Honey sesame sauce in a bowl with a whisk.

Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the sauce until well combined. Set it aside.

Coating chicken pieces in flour.

Step 2: Trim any excess fat off the skinless chicken breasts and cut them into evenly bite-sized pieces. Place in a large zip-top bag with cornstarch, salt, pepper, and garlic salt. Shake until each piece is evenly coated.

Frying chicken pieces.

Step 3: Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large skillet over medium. Whisk an egg in a shallow bowl. Dip coated chicken into egg, then fry in batches 6–8 minutes until golden. Add oil as needed. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

Chicken simmering in honey sesame sauce.

Step 4: Drain oil, then add sauce to pan. Simmer until slightly thickened, then return the chicken and toss to coat. Serve over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

Crispy homemade honey sesame chicken in skillet.

Recipe Tips

  • Use toasted sesame oil. It has a deeper, nuttier flavor than regular sesame oil and makes the sauce taste more distinctly sesame.
  • Swap the vinegar. White vinegar or apple cider vinegar can replace the rice vinegar. Either one will add the acidity needed to balance the sweet honey sauce.
  • Heat the oil first. The oil should be hot before adding the chicken so the coating becomes crisp instead of absorbing excess oil. A wooden spoon dipped into the oil should produce steady bubbles.
  • Cook in batches. Give the chicken pieces room in the pan. Overcrowding lowers the oil temperature and prevents them from crisping evenly.
  • Let the sauce thicken. Simmer it until glossy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon before returning the chicken to the pan.
  • Add vegetables: Sauté bell peppers, snow peas, snap peas or green beans separately until crisp-tender, then toss them with the chicken and sauce. This prevents overcrowding and helps the vegetables cook evenly.

Serving Suggestions

Serve honey sesame chicken over rice with broccoli, carrots or your favorite steamed vegetables. For a takeout-inspired meal, add cream cheese wontons or homemade egg rolls on the side.

Honey Sesame Chicken FAQs

How do I thicken honey sesame sauce?

The cornstarch thickens the sauce as it simmers. Let it cook until it looks glossy and coats the back of a spoon before adding the chicken. If it still seems thin, continue simmering for another minute or two. If it becomes too thick, stir in a splash of water.

What is the difference between honey sesame chicken and sesame chicken?

Both have crispy chicken coated in a sweet and savory sesame sauce. This honey sesame chicken gets most of its sweetness from honey, while my sesame chicken uses ketchup and more sugar for a sweeter restaurant-style sauce.

Can I make this in the air fryer?

Skip the egg and coat the chicken with the seasonings and cornstarch. Arrange it in a single layer in the air fryer basket, spray with cooking oil and air fry at 400°F for 12 to 14 minutes. Work in batches as needed, then toss the crispy chicken with the simmered sauce.

Can it be made in the oven?

Yes. Dip the cornstarch-coated chicken in egg, coat it once more in cornstarch and brown it in oil. Transfer the chicken to a baking dish, pour the sauce over top and bake at 325°F for 45 minutes. This method is similar to my General Tso’s chicken, but with a sweet honey sesame sauce.

Sticky honey sesame chicken served over rice with steamed broccoli.

Other Asian recipes we love to make at include this Pineapple Chicken, Chicken, Broccoli and Mushroom Stir Fry and this PF Chang’s lettuce wraps recipe.

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Crispy honey sesame chicken coated in a thick, glossy sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds in a skillet.

Honey Sesame Chicken

5 from 15 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
This honey sesame chicken recipe has crispy bite-sized chicken coated in a sticky, sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. It’s an easy 30-minute dinner that’s better than takeout!
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Ingredients 

Honey Sesame Sauce

  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ Tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons regular soy sauce (not light)
  • 2 Tablespoons sesame oil
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar (distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar will work too)
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • ¾ cups water

Chicken

  • 1 ¼ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs , cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ¾ cup cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
  • ½ cup canola oil , divided (avocado oil will work too)
  • 2 large eggs , whisked

For serving: Cooked rice, Broccoli and/or carrots, Sliced green onions

Instructions

Honey Sesame Sauce

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup honey, 1/2 Tablespoon sugar, 3 Tablespoons soy sauce, 2 Tablespoons sesame oil, 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds, 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 Tablespoon cornstarch, and 3/4 cups water until well combined.

Chicken

  • In a large zip-top bag, add 1 1/4 pounds bite sized chicken pieces, 3/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt and shake until evenly coated.
  • In a large wok or nonstick frying pan, heat 1/4 cup oil over medium heat. In a shallow bowl, add the 2 whisked eggs. Using a fork, dip the chicken in the egg and place in the pan, working in batches. Fry chicken 6 to 8 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Dispose of the burnt oil. Heat the remaining 1/4 cup oil before frying the remaining chicken. Dispose of oil.
  • Add the sauce to the wok and simmer until it starts to thicken. Stir in the fried chicken and toss to evenly coat each piece in sauce.
  • Serve with steamed rice and vegetables. Sprinkle with green onions, if desired. Enjoy!

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Notes

Oil for frying: To test if the oil is hot enough, splash a little water on the oil. If it pops, it’s ready.
Air Fryer Instructions: Skip dipping the coated chicken in egg. Place coated chicken the basket, allowing space between each piece (fry in batches, if needed). Spray with cooking oil. Air fry at 400°F for 12 to 14 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Simmer the sauce and add the chicken as instructed.
Storage: Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave, it won’t be as crispy but will still have great flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 397kcal, Carbohydrates: 41g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 122mg, Sodium: 881mg, Potassium: 273mg, Fiber: 0.5g, Sugar: 24g, Vitamin A: 169IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 38mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.