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Easy Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe (30 Minutes)

Christie Lai
Need a fast chicken dinner that beats Chinese takeout? This easy honey sesame chicken recipe is ready in 30 minutes with a sweet and savory sesame sauce. Each bite is crispy, sticky, and packed with honey sesame flavor.
4.92 from 23 votes
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Asian, Chinese
Servings 3
Calories per serving 530 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

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

Honey Sesame Sauce:

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, whisk the listed sauce ingredients until combined and the sugar fully dissolves. Set aside.
  • Dice the chicken thighs into even 1.5-inch pieces. Don't pat them dry; the natural surface moisture helps the cornstarch stick. Transfer to a large bowl and season evenly with salt.
  • Add cornstarch to the chicken and toss until evenly coated. If wet spots remain, add 1-2 tablespoons more cornstarch as needed.
  • Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry the chicken in small batches for 5-7 minutes total, keeping the oil at 325-350°F. Don't move the chicken until the bottom is golden and the crust has set; then flip and fry until the other side is golden and the chicken reaches 165°F. Between batches, return the oil to 350°F and remove browned bits. Transfer to a wire rack to keep the crust crisp.
  • Remove any remaining oil from the pan. Whisk the sauce again and pour it into the pan. Simmer over medium heat for about 30 seconds, or until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  • Add the fried chicken and toss just until evenly coated. Remove from the heat immediately and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
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Nutrition
Calories: 530kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 1368mg | Potassium: 463mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 57IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2mg