Description

Sticky Sesame Chicken is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken thighs coated in a glossy, sweet and savory natural sauce infused with garlic, ginger, and toasted sesame oil. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables and is mild enough for family meals while still delivering exciting texture and taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
2 tablespoons soy sauce (natural)
2 tablespoons honey (natural)
1 tablespoon sesame oil (natural)
2 cloves garlic, minced (fresh)
1 teaspoon ginger, grated (fresh)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon cornstarch (natural), dissolved in 1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
2 green onions, chopped

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Cut the boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove moisture, which helps ensure a crispy exterior.
Make the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce (natural), honey (natural), apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and a splash of sesame oil (natural) until combined, forming a shiny sticky glaze.
Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and lightly coat with sesame oil (natural). Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
Thicken the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the hot skillet. Add the cornstarch (natural) mixture and stir frequently until the sauce becomes glossy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Combine and Glaze: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss well to coat each piece evenly with the sticky sesame sauce. Cook together for an additional minute to meld the flavors.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top before serving, adding fresh color and texture.

Notes

Pat dry chicken pieces before cooking to achieve a crispier texture.
Cook over medium-high heat to ensure chicken is cooked through without burning the sauce.
Use fresh garlic and ginger to enhance the flavor compared to powders.
Mix and taste the sauce before cooking to balance sweet and sour elements.
Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan prior to garnishing to bring out their nuttiness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Pan-Frying
Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320 kcal
Sugar: 10 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 2 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 90 mg

Keywords: Sticky Sesame Chicken, quick chicken recipe, sesame chicken, savory chicken dish, family dinner, gluten free chicken