Description

Honey Sesame Chicken is a delicious homemade alternative to takeout favorites, featuring crispy battered chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. This recipe combines tender chicken breast with a perfectly balanced sauce made from honey, apple cider vinegar, and sesame oil, garnished with toasted sesame seeds for an irresistible crunch. Easy to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Batter

1 lb. (500g) boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch (2.5cm) cubes or strips
1 egg white
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup ice-cold water
1 tablespoon oil
1 pinch salt
oil for deep-frying (about 2 inches in pan)

Honey Sesame Sauce

1/3 cup pure honey
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, minced

Garnish

toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

Prepare the Batter: In a bowl, combine egg white, sifted flour, cornstarch, baking powder, ice-cold water, 1 tablespoon oil, and pinch of salt. Whisk thoroughly until the batter is smooth and lump-free. Set aside.
Coat the Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes or strips. Drop the chicken pieces into the batter, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Set aside to rest briefly.
Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, mix honey, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, sesame oil, cornstarch, water, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
Fry the Chicken: Heat about 2 inches of oil in a saute pan or deep fryer over medium-high heat. Once hot, gently add battered chicken pieces one by one, spreading them evenly to prevent sticking. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 4-6 minutes. Remove and drain excess oil on paper towels.
Prepare the Sauce Base: Transfer 2 tablespoons of the frying oil to a wok or large skillet. Stir-fry the minced garlic until aromatic, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Simmer the Sauce: Add the prepared honey sesame sauce mixture to the wok. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, about 3-5 minutes.
Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces to the thickened sauce. Toss gently to coat each piece evenly with the honey sesame glaze.
Finish and Serve: Sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds as a garnish. Serve immediately over steamed white rice or your choice of Chinese fried rice for a complete meal.

Notes

Use ice-cold water in the batter for a lighter and crispier coating.
Adjust the amount of honey and vinegar to taste to balance sweetness and tanginess.
Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to avoid soggy chicken.
Can substitute chicken breast with thigh meat for juicier results.
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and cornstarch.
Leftover chicken is best enjoyed fresh; sauce can be reheated separately.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Deep Frying and Stir-frying
Cuisine: Chinese-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 150g)
Calories: 380 kcal
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Honey Sesame Chicken, Chinese takeout recipe, crispy chicken, sweet and savory chicken, homemade Asian chicken recipe