Why I Love This Recipe

Takeout is always tempting, but this is one of those recipes that reminds me how easy it is to make those same flavors at home. The chicken gets perfectly crispy in the oven, the sauce comes together in just a few minutes, and once everything is tossed together, it’s hard to believe it wasn’t ordered from your favorite restaurant. It’s a dinner I never get tired of making.

Enjoying The Leftovers

The chicken makes great leftovers for lunches throughout the week. Serve it over fresh rice, toss it into a stir fry, or wrap it in lettuce cups for an easy meal. If possible, store the sauce separately before tossing to help the chicken stay crisp a little longer.

Storing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For the best texture, keep the chicken and sauce separate if you’re meal prepping ahead of time.

Reheating

Reheat the chicken in a 375°F oven or air fryer for a few minutes to help bring back some of the crispiness, then toss it with the warmed sauce just before serving. If everything is already combined, the microwave works well too, though the coating will be softer.

A serving bowl with crispy honey chicken with sesame seeds.
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Crispy Baked Honey Sesame Chicken

Crispy oven-baked chicken coated in a sticky honey sesame sauce makes this Honey Sesame Chicken an easy homemade dinner that's full of sweet, savory, and garlicky flavor. It's a lighter alternative to takeout that's perfect served over rice with steamed vegetables for a family-friendly meal everyone will love.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
US M
Servings 6

Ingredients

For the chicken
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Spray oil
For the honey sesame sauce
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 tbsp ginger paste
  • 1 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1-2 tbsp sriracha
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 3 tbsp water, optional for thickening
For the garnish
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Sliced green onions
  • Red pepper flakes
US – M

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 425℉. Add a baking rack to a large baking sheet and lightly spray with oil to keep the chicken from sticking.
  • Add the cubed chicken, cornstarch, flour, seasoning, and the beaten egg in a large ziplock bag or Tupperware. Seal it tight with a lid and shake really well until the chicken is well coated.
  • Place the chicken in an even layer on the baking rack and spray lightly with more oil. Bake for 15 minutes, flip, and cook another 10 minutes until fully cooked and crispy.
  • Meanwhile, make the honey sesame sauce. Add all the sauce ingredients except the sesame seeds and cornstarch to a small pot. Turn the heat to medium low and whisk well. Let it come to a gentle simmer for a few minutes.
  • If you’d like to make it thicker, add the cornstarch and water mixture and whisk constantly for 2-3 minutes until the sauce turns glossy. Once it’s glossy, remove it from the heat and mix in the sesame seeds.
  • Place the cooked chicken in a large bowl and pour the honey sesame sauce over it. Mix gently. Serve immediately with rice and your choice of veggie. Top with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onion. Enjoy!

Equipment

mixing bowls
cutting board
large baking sheet

Nutrition Per Serving

Calories: 541kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 32g | Fiber: 1g