Why You’ll Want to Make This
If you love ordering sesame chicken from your favorite Chinese takeout spot, this recipe is for you. It’s a healthier, homemade twist that comes together fast—no deep-frying required!
Here’s why this recipe is a weeknight favorite at our house:
- Tender chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey-teriyaki sauce.
- Quick and easy—ready in about 20 minutes!
- Healthier than traditional fried takeout versions.
- Easy to customize with veggies or different proteins.
- Kid-approved (even my picky eaters ask for seconds!).
After you preview the recipe card, be sure to look below for ingredient substitutions, recipe and storage tips, and suggestions for pairings and fun variations!
Easy Sesame Chicken
Tender chicken sauteed with spices and coated in a sweet and spicy honey teriyaki sauce. Better than take-out!
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Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 331kcal
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.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 331kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 895mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g
Keep scrolling for tips, ingredient substitutions, answers to frequently asked questions and more!
Easy Tips for Great Results
- Cut chicken evenly: Try to make all your chicken pieces about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Coat well: Shake the chicken in the flour-spice mixture until it’s fully coated—this helps it get that golden crust.
- Don’t rush the sauce: Let the sauce simmer with the chicken until it thickens up and gets sticky. That’s the magic!
- Add veggies: Toss in some broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers right before the chicken finishes cooking for an easy one-pan meal.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm it up in a skillet over low heat to keep the sauce nice and sticky. A splash of water helps loosen it up if it’s too thick.
Try Something Different!
Want to switch it up? Here are a few fun ideas:
- Make it spicy: Add extra red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha.
- Swap the chicken: Try shrimp or tofu instead of chicken.
- Serve it differently: Instead of rice, serve over noodles or in lettuce wraps for a fun twist.
6 comments
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!!