Easy Honey Sesame Chicken (30 Minutes)

Easy Honey Sesame Chicken (30 Minutes)

Crispy, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. This easy honey sesame chicken recipe is ready in just 30 minutes. I shallow-fry the cornstarch-coated chicken and let the crust set before flipping so it stays crispy.

4.92 from 24 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian, Chinese

Servings

Calories per serving 530 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup cornstarch
⅓ cup vegetable oil or any neutral oil
½ green onion finely chopped

Sauce

½ cup honey
2.5 tablespoon regular soy sauce or light soy sauce
2 tablespoon sesame oil toasted kind
½ tablespoon white granulated sugar
1 tablespoon sesame seeds toasted kind
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3 garlic cloves minced
2 teaspoon Shaoxing Cooking Wine or dry sherry
2 teaspoon rice vinegar
¾ cup water cold

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until combined and the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
Dice the chicken thighs into even 1.5-inch pieces. Don't pat them dry, as the natural surface moisture helps the cornstarch stick. Transfer to a large bowl and season evenly with salt.
Add the cornstarch to the chicken and toss until evenly coated. If wet spots remain, add 1-2 tablespoons more cornstarch as needed.
Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry the chicken in a single layer, working in batches if needed, for about 5-7 minutes per batch. Leave the chicken undisturbed until the bottom is golden and the crust has set before flipping. Continue frying until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a wire rack to keep it crispy. Let the oil return to 350°F between batches.
Carefully remove the frying oil from the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Whisk the sauce again to redistribute the cornstarch, then pour it into the pan. Simmer for about 30-45 seconds, stirring until thickened and glossy.
Add the fried chicken and toss just until evenly coated in the sauce. Remove from the heat immediately and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Enjoyed my recipe?Please leave a 5 star review (be kind)! Tag me on social media @christieathome as I'd love to see your creations!

Suggested Equipment & Products

Nutrition