Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken Quick and Tasty Recipe

by Emily on October 1, 2025

Are you craving a dish that’s both quick and satisfying? Look no further! Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken is the perfect recipe for busy nights when you want something tasty without the hassle. This dish features tender chicken pieces cooked in a sweet and savory sauce, complemented by garlic and sesame flavors. Whether you serve it over jasmine rice or with fresh veggies, you’ll have a dinner that impresses. Let’s dive into this easy and delicious recipe!

$- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs - 3 tablespoons honey - 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce - 2 tablespoons sesame oil - 4 cloves garlic - 1 tablespoon fresh ginger - 2 tablespoons sesame seeds - 4 green onions - Cooked jasmine rice - Additional garnishes (optional) In this recipe, you will use chicken thighs. These are tender and juicy. The honey adds sweetness. The low sodium soy sauce brings umami. Sesame oil gives a nice nutty flavor. For the seasonings, garlic and ginger are key. They add depth and warmth. The sesame seeds give a nice crunch. Green onions make a fresh garnish. Serve this dish over jasmine rice. It soaks up the sauce well. You can add extra sesame seeds or green onions on top if you like. This makes the dish look even better! {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by mixing the marinade. In a medium bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of honey, 3 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, 4 minced cloves of garlic, and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger. Stir this well until it blends nicely. Set it aside for now. This mixture brings sweet and savory notes to the dish. Next, take 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This helps the chicken cook evenly and soak up the flavors. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want them to brown slightly, which adds flavor. Now it's time to add the sauce. Pour the honey garlic mixture over the chicken. Lower the heat to medium and stir well to coat the chicken. When the sauce starts to bubble, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of water. This will help thicken the sauce. Stir it in and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Finally, stir in 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds, saving a few for garnish. Remove the skillet from the heat. Now you’re ready to serve this tasty dish over cooked jasmine rice. Enjoy! To get the perfect chicken texture, use boneless, skinless thighs. They stay juicy and tender. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Cook the chicken in a hot skillet or wok at medium-high heat. This helps it brown nicely. Stir the chicken often to cook it evenly and prevent sticking. To boost flavor, try adding spices like red pepper flakes or black pepper. For a twist, mix in some orange zest or a splash of rice vinegar. If you want to change the sauce, try using maple syrup instead of honey. You can also add peanut butter for a creamy texture. Make sure the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Use a meat thermometer to check. To prevent the sauce from burning, keep an eye on it. Stir often and lower the heat if it starts to bubble too much. This keeps your dish tasty and avoids any burnt flavors. Pro Tips Marinate for Extra Flavor: For an even richer taste, marinate the chicken in the honey garlic mixture for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight before cooking. Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and ginger will enhance the flavor of your dish significantly compared to dried or powdered versions. Adjust Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of honey based on your preference for sweetness; adding a bit more can make it a delightful glaze! Garnish for Presentation: Adding green onions and sesame seeds not only adds flavor but also makes the dish visually appealing. Don't skip this step! {{image_2}} You can make this dish lighter. Swap honey for agave nectar. Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. These options cut calories while keeping great taste. For a gluten-free version, choose tamari sauce. This keeps the flavor without gluten. You can also make it vegan. Use firm tofu instead of chicken. Press the tofu to remove extra water before cooking. Add colorful veggies to your dish. Bell peppers and broccoli add nutrients and crunch. You can also switch up the oils. Try peanut or avocado oil for new nutty flavors. These changes keep your meal fresh and exciting! To store leftovers, let the Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken cool down. Place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the chicken fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to label the container with the date. This way, you will know how long it has been in there. Freezing is a great option if you want to save some chicken for later. First, cool the chicken completely. Then, portion it into freezer-safe bags. Remove as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn. You can freeze the chicken for up to three months. When ready to eat, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight. To reheat your chicken, use a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Stir often until heated through. This method helps keep the flavors strong. You can also use a microwave. Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Cover it lightly and heat for 1-2 minutes. Check that it is hot all the way through before serving. You can serve Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken with jasmine rice. The rice soaks up the sweet sauce. You can also add steamed broccoli or green beans for a healthy touch. A side salad with sesame dressing pairs well too. For an extra crunch, sprinkle more sesame seeds on top. Yes, you can prep this dish ahead of time. Cut the chicken and mix the sauce a day before. Store them separately in the fridge. When you are ready to cook, just heat the skillet and add the chicken. It will make your cooking quick and easy. No, Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken is not spicy. It has a sweet and savory taste. The garlic and ginger add flavor without heat. If you want a little kick, try adding red pepper flakes to the sauce. This way, you can adjust the spice level to your taste. This recipe blends sweet, savory, and nutty flavors in a simple dish. You learned how to create a tasty Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken using a few key ingredients and easy steps. Keep in mind the cooking tips to achieve the best texture. You can also try variations for dietary needs or add veggies for more flavor. Whether you serve it over jasmine rice or freeze leftovers, this dish is sure to satisfy. Enjoy the process and make it your own each time!$

Why I Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: This recipe requires minimal ingredients and simple steps, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
Flavor Packed: The combination of honey, garlic, and sesame oil creates a rich, sweet, and savory sauce that is utterly delicious.
Healthier Option: Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs and low-sodium soy sauce offers a healthier twist on a classic dish.
Versatile Serving: This dish pairs beautifully with jasmine rice and can be customized with your favorite vegetables.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

– 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs

– 3 tablespoons honey

– 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

– 2 tablespoons sesame oil

Seasonings and Garnish

– 4 cloves garlic

– 1 tablespoon fresh ginger

– 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

– 4 green onions

Serving Suggestions

– Cooked jasmine rice

– Additional garnishes (optional)

In this recipe, you will use chicken thighs. These are tender and juicy. The honey adds sweetness. The low sodium soy sauce brings umami. Sesame oil gives a nice nutty flavor.

For the seasonings, garlic and ginger are key. They add depth and warmth. The sesame seeds give a nice crunch. Green onions make a fresh garnish.

Serve this dish over jasmine rice. It soaks up the sauce well. You can add extra sesame seeds or green onions on top if you like. This makes the dish look even better!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparing the Marinade

Start by mixing the marinade. In a medium bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of honey, 3 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of sesame oil, 4 minced cloves of garlic, and 1 tablespoon of grated ginger. Stir this well until it blends nicely. Set it aside for now. This mixture brings sweet and savory notes to the dish.

Preparing the Chicken

Next, take 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. This helps the chicken cook evenly and soak up the flavors. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want them to brown slightly, which adds flavor.

Cooking the Sauce

Now it’s time to add the sauce. Pour the honey garlic mixture over the chicken. Lower the heat to medium and stir well to coat the chicken. When the sauce starts to bubble, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon of water. This will help thicken the sauce. Stir it in and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

Finally, stir in 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds, saving a few for garnish. Remove the skillet from the heat. Now you’re ready to serve this tasty dish over cooked jasmine rice. Enjoy!

Tips & Tricks

Cooking Tips

To get the perfect chicken texture, use boneless, skinless thighs. They stay juicy and tender. Cut them into bite-sized pieces for even cooking. Cook the chicken in a hot skillet or wok at medium-high heat. This helps it brown nicely. Stir the chicken often to cook it evenly and prevent sticking.

Flavor Enhancements

To boost flavor, try adding spices like red pepper flakes or black pepper. For a twist, mix in some orange zest or a splash of rice vinegar. If you want to change the sauce, try using maple syrup instead of honey. You can also add peanut butter for a creamy texture.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Make sure the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Use a meat thermometer to check. To prevent the sauce from burning, keep an eye on it. Stir often and lower the heat if it starts to bubble too much. This keeps your dish tasty and avoids any burnt flavors.

Pro Tips

Marinate for Extra Flavor: For an even richer taste, marinate the chicken in the honey garlic mixture for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight before cooking.
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and ginger will enhance the flavor of your dish significantly compared to dried or powdered versions.
Adjust Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of honey based on your preference for sweetness; adding a bit more can make it a delightful glaze!
Garnish for Presentation: Adding green onions and sesame seeds not only adds flavor but also makes the dish visually appealing. Don’t skip this step!

Variations

Healthier Alternatives

You can make this dish lighter. Swap honey for agave nectar. Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. These options cut calories while keeping great taste.

Dietary Adjustments

For a gluten-free version, choose tamari sauce. This keeps the flavor without gluten. You can also make it vegan. Use firm tofu instead of chicken. Press the tofu to remove extra water before cooking.

Flavor Variations

Add colorful veggies to your dish. Bell peppers and broccoli add nutrients and crunch. You can also switch up the oils. Try peanut or avocado oil for new nutty flavors. These changes keep your meal fresh and exciting!

Storage Info

Storing Leftovers

To store leftovers, let the Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken cool down. Place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the chicken fresh. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure to label the container with the date. This way, you will know how long it has been in there.

Freezing Tips

Freezing is a great option if you want to save some chicken for later. First, cool the chicken completely. Then, portion it into freezer-safe bags. Remove as much air as possible to avoid freezer burn. You can freeze the chicken for up to three months. When ready to eat, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight.

Reheating Instructions

To reheat your chicken, use a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Stir often until heated through. This method helps keep the flavors strong. You can also use a microwave. Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Cover it lightly and heat for 1-2 minutes. Check that it is hot all the way through before serving.

FAQs

What is the best way to serve Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken?

You can serve Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken with jasmine rice. The rice soaks up the sweet sauce. You can also add steamed broccoli or green beans for a healthy touch. A side salad with sesame dressing pairs well too. For an extra crunch, sprinkle more sesame seeds on top.

Can I make this recipe in advance?

Yes, you can prep this dish ahead of time. Cut the chicken and mix the sauce a day before. Store them separately in the fridge. When you are ready to cook, just heat the skillet and add the chicken. It will make your cooking quick and easy.

Is this dish spicy?

No, Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken is not spicy. It has a sweet and savory taste. The garlic and ginger add flavor without heat. If you want a little kick, try adding red pepper flakes to the sauce. This way, you can adjust the spice level to your taste.

This recipe blends sweet, savory, and nutty flavors in a simple dish. You learned how to create a tasty Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken using a few key ingredients and easy steps. Keep in mind the cooking tips to achieve the best texture. You can also try variations for dietary needs or add veggies for more flavor. Whether you serve it over jasmine rice or freeze leftovers, this dish is sure to satisfy. Enjoy the process and make it your own each tim

Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken

A delicious dish featuring tender chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, topped with sesame seeds and green onions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
3 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium)
2 tablespoons sesame oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
4 green onions sliced (for garnish)
1 serving cooked jasmine rice, for serving

Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Mix well and set aside.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water to create a slurry; set aside.
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to brown.
Pour the honey garlic mixture over the chicken, reducing heat to medium. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly.
Once the sauce starts to bubble, add the cornstarch slurry and mix well. Allow it to simmer for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C).
Stir in sesame seeds, reserving a few for garnish. Remove from heat.
Serve the Honey Garlic Sesame Chicken over jasmine rice, garnished with sliced green onions and remaining sesame seeds.

Notes

Serve with jasmine rice for a complete meal.

Keyword chicken, honey garlic, quick meal, sesame