Last Updated 08-02-2024
Tender chicken sautéed with spices and coated in a sweet and spicy honey teriyaki sauce. Better than take-out!
Sesame chicken is one of my favorite things to order when we get Chinese take-out. In fact, I kind of judge Chinese restaurants on how good their sesame chicken is.
This better-for-you version is a snap to put together, and it’s easily adapted to sneak in a few veggies if you’d like.
“I spotted this on Pinterest recently and made it for dinner. It was absolutely fantastic!”
Lynn
I can’t say whether or not this is authentic sesame chicken, but I can say that my husband and kids gobbled it up.
Which makes it a winner in my book! And as much as I love anything deep fried, I really like that this version isn’t fried. Which means it’s a lot healthier than the take-out version. As an added bonus, it is so quick and easy to put together!
Tips for making this recipe
- To avoid sticking, make sure your wok or skillet is fully heated.
- For crispier, more golden sesame chicken, don’t crowd the pan or stir too often. Work in batches if you need to.
It’s definitely a staple in our weeknight meal rotation. If you’d like to add vegetables, do that a few minutes before the chicken is cooked through.
We like to serve this Easy Sesame Chicken over rice, but it’s delicious on it’s own if you’re looking for a low-carb option.
What should I serve with easy sesame chicken?
We almost always serve this chicken over rice, but rice noodles are another great option. Or you can really elevate this meal by serving it with fried rice or any other Asian-inspired side dish.
Here are some of our favorite sides to enjoy with Easy Sesame Chicken.
FAQS
Can I change the protein in this recipe?
Yes, this recipe also works with pork, beef, shrimp and even tofu.
Can I add vegetables to this sesame chicken?
Definitely! I suggest cooking the vegetables first, then removing them to a plate while you cook the chicken. Add the vegetables back in after your sauce has thickened.
Where did sesame chicken originate?
Sesame chicken originated in the Canton region of China, although the sesame chicken found in North American can be quiet different than the original Chinese version.
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what do I need to make this recipe?
- Flour – all purpose
- Spices – salt and pepper, ginger, garlic salt, crushed red pepper, cloves, cinnamon
- Chicken – I use chicken breasts, but thighs work well too
- Vegetable oil
- Teriyaki sauce
- Honey
- Soy sauce – I recommend low-sodium
- Sesame seeds
What people are saying about this recipe
I have been looking for a good sesame chicken recipe for a while now. Most are overly complicated and the results are not always worth the effort. Not with this recipe. Very simple, yet very tasty…..Definitely going in my favorite file. Thank you for sharing this recipe, and I look forward to trying some of your other recipes. ~ Scott
This was absolutely fantastic!! I found your blog a few weeks ago and have been making a few things here and there from it & everything has been simply perfect!! ~ Alicia
Be sure to save this Easy Sesame Chicken recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.
Easy Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Dash of ground cloves
- Dash of ground cinnamon
- 5 chicken breasts boneless, cut into chunks
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a large resealable plastic bag, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, Dash of ground cloves, and Dash of ground cinnamon.
- Place 5 chicken breasts into the bag and shake to coat. Remove to a platter.
- In a small bowl, stir together 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce, 1/3 cup honey and 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
- Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Place chicken into skillet, and brown on both sides, about 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Mix in teriyaki and honey mixture and stir until sauce thickens.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds and serve immediately.
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Nutrition
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Who Dished It Up First: Adapted from allrecipes.com
Hello! I’m Danelle. Thanks for visiting.
Uptown foodie meets real life at Let’s Dish, where I share all my favorite recipes. Making meal time easy, but doing it in style!
Scott
4.5 Stars
I have been looking for a good sesame chicken recipe for a while now. Most are overly complicated and the results are not always worth the effort.
Not with this recipe. Very simple, yet very tasty.
I tried this recipe with 1/2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and 1/2 boneless skinless chicken thighs. I thought the thighs tasted better, and would use all thighs next time. I used Yoshida’s terriyaki sauce.
Definitely going in my favorite file. Thank you for sharing this recipe, and I look forward to trying some of your other recipes.
Danelle
Thank you SO much!
Lynn - A Foodie and Her Family and Crafty Lynn
I spotted this on Pinterest recently and made it for dinner. It was absolutely fantastic!
Miss Alicia
This was absolutely fantastic!! I found your blog a few weeks ago and have been making a few things here and there from it & everything has been simply perfect!!
Mireya
This looks like a yummy (and quick) dinner!!
Christy
stop, stop…stop! your food looks so delish and chinese food is one of my faves…and we skipped dinner tonight. you are killing me 🙂