Sticky Honey Sesame Chicken

$To make sticky honey sesame chicken, you need these core items: - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces - 1/4 cup honey - 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced - 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely minced - 2 tablespoons cornstarch - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil - 1/4 cup sesame seeds - Salt and pepper to taste These ingredients create a sweet and savory flavor that makes this dish a favorite. For a pop of color and extra flavor, add these garnishes: - 2 green onions, sliced Green onions give a fresh crunch. They also brighten up the dish. To take your sticky honey sesame chicken to the next level, consider: - Red pepper flakes for heat - Vegetables like bell peppers or snap peas for added nutrition These options add depth and excitement to the meal. They also make your dish more colorful and fun to eat. {{ingredient_image_2}} To start, gather your ingredients. In a small bowl, mix the: - 1/4 cup honey - 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon sesame oil - 2 minced cloves garlic - 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger Whisk these together. Make sure the mix is smooth and well blended. This marinade is key for flavor. Next, take 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Cut them into bite-sized pieces. Place the chicken in a zip-top bag or a bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag or cover the bowl. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For more flavor, marinate up to 2 hours. After marinating, take the chicken out. Let any extra marinade drip off. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of cornstarch over the chicken. Toss it gently. Each piece should be lightly coated. This step will give you that crispy texture. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the coated chicken. Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir occasionally until the chicken turns golden brown and is cooked through. Now, carefully pour the remaining marinade into the skillet. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Let the sauce thicken for about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir often until it becomes sticky and glossy. Once thickened, sprinkle 1/4 cup of sesame seeds over the chicken. Toss to coat evenly. Cook for one more minute. This will toast the seeds and add flavor. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions for a fresh touch. Enjoy your meal! To marinate chicken well, use a good mix of flavors. Start with honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Combine these in a bowl. Whisk until smooth. Pour this mixture over the chicken pieces in a bag or bowl. Make sure all pieces are covered. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. You can even let it marinate for up to 2 hours for deeper flavor. For crispy chicken, coat your marinated pieces with cornstarch. This adds a crunchy layer. After marinating, shake off extra marinade. Sprinkle cornstarch over the chicken and toss gently. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet until it shimmers. Cook the chicken in small batches. This helps it brown evenly and stay crispy. To get the sauce just right, watch the cooking time. After cooking the chicken, pour the leftover marinade into the skillet. Bring it to a simmer. Stir it often for about 3-4 minutes. As it cooks, the sauce will thicken. For a thicker sauce, let it simmer longer. If it's too thick, add a splash of water or broth to loosen it. Pro Tips Marinate Longer for Flavor: For maximum flavor infusion, consider marinating the chicken for up to 2 hours. This allows the marinade to penetrate the meat fully, enhancing the overall taste. Perfectly Crispy Chicken: Make sure to shake off excess marinade before coating the chicken in cornstarch. This helps achieve that desired crispy texture without it becoming soggy. Adjust the Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of honey based on your sweetness preference. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more honey, but be careful not to overpower the savory elements. Garnish for Visual Appeal: Garnishing with sliced green onions and extra sesame seeds not only adds freshness but also enhances the dish's presentation, making it more inviting. {{image_4}} You can make sticky honey sesame chicken healthier with a few swaps. Instead of using chicken thighs, opt for chicken breast. It has less fat and is leaner. You can also replace honey with agave syrup or maple syrup. These options are lower on the glycemic index. For a lighter sauce, use low-sodium soy sauce. This helps reduce salt intake without losing flavor. To add more nutrition, throw in some vegetables. Bell peppers, broccoli, or snap peas work great. Slice them thin and stir-fry them with the chicken. They add color and crunch. You can also add crushed red pepper for a spicy kick. This gives the dish a whole new layer of flavor. Sticky honey sesame chicken shines at many events. For a casual dinner, serve it with jasmine rice or quinoa. If you want a fancy touch, plate it on a bed of stir-fried veggies. You can also serve it at parties with toothpicks for easy eating. It’s perfect for game nights or family gatherings. Don’t forget to garnish with green onions for a pop of color! After enjoying your sticky honey sesame chicken, let it cool. Place leftovers in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh and tasty. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to save it longer, you can freeze it. To reheat the chicken, use a skillet or microwave. In a skillet, add a splash of water to keep it moist. Heat on low until warm. If using a microwave, cover it to trap steam. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between. This helps avoid dry chicken. If you plan to freeze, use a freezer-safe container. Make sure to label it with the date. You can freeze the chicken for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, reheat as directed above. This makes meal prep easy and gives you a quick meal option! If you need a soy sauce substitute, try tamari. It has a similar taste and is gluten-free. Coconut aminos is another choice. It is sweeter and milder. You can also use homemade soy sauce with water, molasses, and salt. Yes, you can use chicken breast. However, thighs are juicier and more tender. If you choose chicken breast, be careful not to overcook them. Cook just until they are no longer pink. This dish is not spicy at all. The garlic and ginger add flavor, but they do not bring heat. If you want a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the marinade. Sticky Honey Sesame Chicken pairs well with jasmine rice or quinoa. You can also serve it with steamed veggies or a fresh salad. For extra crunch, sprinkle more sesame seeds on top. For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. You can marinate it for up to 2 hours for an even richer taste. Do not marinate longer than that, as the chicken may become too soft. Sticky Honey Sesame Chicken is easy and fun to make. You learned about key ingredients to create the dish and how to prepare it step by step. We covered tips to help with marinating and achieving that crispy texture. Plus, there were ideas for tasty variations and storage methods. In the end, this dish is perfect for family meals or special occasions. With these simple recipes and tips, you can enjoy great flavor every time. Now, it’s time to cook and impress everyone with your skills!$

Sticky Honey Sesame Chicken

A deliciously sticky and sweet chicken dish, coated in sesame seeds and garnished with green onions.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely minced
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup sesame seeds
2 green onions sliced for garnish
to taste salt and pepper

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and ginger. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Place the chicken pieces into a zip-top bag or a mixing bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor).
Once marinated, remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the chicken and toss gently to ensure each piece is lightly and evenly coated.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the coated chicken to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Carefully pour the remaining marinade into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat. Allow the sauce to thicken for approximately 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently until it becomes sticky and glossy.
Once the sauce has thickened, sprinkle the sesame seeds over the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Cook for an additional minute, allowing the sesame seeds to toast slightly.
Remove the skillet from heat and season the dish with salt and pepper to your preference.
Serve the sticky honey sesame chicken hot, garnished with sliced green onions.

Notes

Elevate your dish by serving it over a fluffy bed of steamed jasmine rice or quinoa.

Keyword chicken, dinner, easy, honey, sesame