Sweet & Sticky Sesame Chicken

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our policy

This Sweet and Sticky Sesame Chicken is the perfect combination of sweet and savory, with tender pieces of chicken coated in a rich, sticky sauce made with honey, soy, and a touch of garlic. Topped with sesame seeds and green onions for a bit of crunch, this dish brings all the flavors of your favorite takeout right to your kitchen. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for weeknight dinners or whenever you’re craving something deliciously satisfying!

What You’ll Need

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
  • 4 chicken breasts, chopped into 1 ½ inch pieces
  • 5 tbsp corn starch
  • 3 tbsp avocado oil (or preferred oil)
  • sesame seeds, for garnish
  • green onions, chopped, for garnish
  • Sauce
  • 6 tbsp honey
  • 4 tbsp ketchup
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp white vinegar
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp cold water
  • 2 tbsp corn starch

Equipment I Used

How to Make It

Preparing the Sauce

In a medium bowl, combine the honey, ketchup, sugar, brown sugar, white vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, salt, and garlic powder. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed.

Sauce ingredients; Honey, ketchup, sugar, brown sugar, white vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, salt, and garlic powder mixed in a mixing bowl.

Coat the Chicken

Place the chopped chicken pieces in a large mixing bowl. Add 5 tbsp of corn starch and toss to coat the chicken evenly. This will create a light coating that helps the sauce adhere to the chicken.

Chicken pieces coated in cornstarch in a mixing bowl.

Sear the Chicken

Heat 3 tbsp of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.

Chicken cooking in skillet.

Add the Sauce to the Skillet

With the chicken still in the skillet, pour the sauce mixture directly over the chicken pieces. Stir to coat the chicken evenly, and allow the sauce to cook with the chicken for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp of cold water with 2 tbsp of corn starch to make a slurry. Pour the slurry into the skillet with the chicken and sauce, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens to a sticky consistency, about 1-2 minutes.

Thicken sauce poured over the chicken in skillet.

Garnish and Serve

Transfer the Sweet and Sticky Sesame Chicken to a serving dish. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavor and texture. Serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite side.

Serving of Sweet and Sticky Sesame Chicken in a white bowl.

This Sweet and Sticky Sesame Chicken is an easy, delicious way to bring takeout flavors right to your kitchen. With its sticky, savory-sweet sauce and tender chicken pieces, it’s bound to be a new favorite for quick dinners. Perfect with rice or your choice of sides, this dish is as versatile as it is satisfying. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts—feel free to share your experience in the comments below!

Sweet & Sticky Sesame Chicken

Serving of Sweet and Sticky Sesame Chicken in a white bowl.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts, chopped into 1 ½ inch pieces
  • 5 tbsp corn starch
  • 3 tbsp avocado oil
  • sesame seeds, for garnish
  • green onions, chopped, for garnish

Sauce

  • 6 tbsp honey
  • 4 tbsp ketchup
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp white vinegar
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp cold water
  • 2 tbsp corn starch

Directions

Prepare the Sauce

  1. Whisk together honey, ketchup, sugar, brown sugar, white vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and garlic powder. Set aside.

Prepare the Chicken

  • Place the chicken in a mixing bowl, add 5 tbsp of cornstarch and toss to coat thoroughly.
  • Heat oil over medium heat in a large pan or skillet. Add chicken and cook, stirring throughout to ensure even cooking, 5-7 minutes until cooked though.
  • Pour the sauce over the chicken and bring to a boil over medium heat. Whisk together corn starch and water till dissolved, then whisk corn starch slurry into the boiling sauce till thickened.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve with rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables. Enjoy!

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.