Description
This Quick & Easy Honey Sesame Chicken recipe features crispy fried chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory honey sesame sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this dish combines the crunch of fried chicken with the rich flavors of honey, soy sauce, and sesame for a deliciously irresistible meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cornstarch or potato starch for coating chicken
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil or any neutral oil for frying
- 1/2 green onion, finely chopped (for garnish)
Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey (plain liquid kind)
- 2.5 tablespoons regular soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1/2 tablespoon white granulated sugar or cane sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch or potato starch
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Shaoxing Cooking Wine or dry sherry wine (or dry white wine or chicken broth for non-alcoholic version)
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar or apple cider/white vinegar
- 3/4 cup water (room temperature)
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, sesame seeds, cornstarch, minced garlic, Shaoxing cooking wine, rice vinegar, and water. Mix well and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: Dice the chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Season with salt, then add cornstarch or potato starch. Toss until each piece is evenly coated. Add more starch if needed for thorough coating.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken in small batches for 6 to 8 minutes total, turning halfway through to ensure even browning. The chicken should become golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate.
- Cook the Sauce: Remove excess oil from the pan, then pour in the prepared sauce mixture. Simmer on medium heat until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally to prevent lumps.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces back into the pan and toss them in the thickened sauce until fully coated.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle with finely chopped green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy your flavorful honey sesame chicken!
Notes
- To Air Fry Chicken: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or neutral oil.
- Place coated chicken into the basket in a single layer, avoiding overlap (air fry in batches if necessary).
- Lightly spray the chicken pieces with cooking spray or neutral oil.
- Air fry at 400°F for 10-14 minutes until crispy. No need to flip during cooking.
- This recipe can be adapted for a non-alcoholic version by substituting Shaoxing wine with dry white wine or chicken broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
