Honey Sesame Chicken Breast

Craving a chicken dish that's equal parts easy, flavorful, and totally crave-worthy? This Honey Sesame Chicken Breast has you covered. It's quick enough for a busy weeknight but impressive enough to serve guests - sweet, savory, and perfectly saucy. Get ready to add a new favorite to your dinner rotation.

This Honey Sesame Chicken is the kind of recipe that checks all the boxes - flavorful, fast, and totally satisfying. The chicken is marinated in a sweet and savory sesame-soy blend that gives every bite that sticky, golden, takeout-style goodness. It cooks up tender and juicy, with a rich, glossy sauce that's perfect over rice, noodles, or even a pile of steamed veggies.

And the best part? It's ready in just 20 minutes. Seriously. This is one of those weeknight dinners you can throw together without thinking twice - but it still tastes like you put in way more effort than you did.

Helpful Tips

Pound the chicken for even cooking: If your chicken breasts are thick in the middle, pound them to an even thickness so they cook more evenly and stay juicy.

Marinate for at least 15-30 minutes: Even a short marinade time helps infuse flavor. If you have more time, let it sit longer in the fridge - up to 8 hours works great.

Garnish Ideas: A sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onions adds crunch, color, and a fresh finish. You can add slivered serrano peppers for a spicy touch!

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

• Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breast cooks quickly and soaks up flavor well. You can also use chicken thighs for a juicier result - just adjust the cooking time as needed.
• Soy Sauce: Adds rich, salty depth to the sauce. Low-sodium soy sauce works if you want to cut back on salt, or use tamari to make the dish gluten-free.
• Honey: Gives the sauce its signature sweetness and helps it caramelize slightly. You can swap in maple syrup or even brown sugar, but the flavor will change a bit.
• Sesame Oil: This is what gives the dish that toasty, nutty sesame flavor. There's really no perfect substitute. It's worth keeping a bottle on hand - I like this brand.
• Garlic and Ginger: Fresh garlic and ginger give the sauce a bright, punchy flavor. You can use garlic powder and ground ginger in a pinch, but fresh is best.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce into a glossy coating that clings to the chicken. Arrowroot or tapioca starch are good alternatives if needed.
• Sesame Seeds: Optional, but they add a nice crunch and make the dish look more finished. Toasted sesame seeds have the best flavor.
• Green Onions: Used as a garnish for a pop of freshness and color. Chives or thinly sliced red onion can be used if that's what you have on hand.

Variations

Make it spicy. Add a dash of sriracha, red pepper flakes, or a spoonful of chili garlic sauce to the marinade for a little heat.

Crispy Version: Lightly dredge the chicken in cornstarch or flour before cooking for a crispy outside.

Add Veggies: Toss in steamed broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers to turn this into a one-pan meal.

Orange-Sesame Twist: Add a tablespoon of orange juice and a bit of zest to the sauce for a citrusy spin.

Serving Ideas

I love this recipe because it's so extremely versatile - there's an endless way to serve it up. Here are a few ideas:

• Serve over a bed of white rice, brown rice, or quinoa.
• Serve alongside stir fried veggies like broccoli, snow peas, bell peppers, or bok choy for a balanced meal.
• Toss the chicken and sauce with lo mein, rice noodles, or even spaghetti for an easy noodle bowl.
• Spoon the chicken into butter lettuce cups for a lighter, low-carb lettuce wrap option.
• Slice the chicken and serve it over a crunchy cabbage slaw or mixed green salad with a drizzle of extra sauce for dressing.
• Build a rice or grain bowl with veggies, avocado, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a complete, customizable meal.

Storing & Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftover honey sesame chicken in an airtight container for3-4 days. Keep any extra sauce separate, if possible, to prevent the chicken from getting soggy.

Freezer: This dish freezes well. Let the chicken cool completely, then freeze in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating (Stovetop): Warm in a skillet over medium-low heat until heated through. Add a splash of water or chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much.

Reheating (Microwave): Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. Cover loosely to avoid drying out.

Reheating (Oven): Place in a covered baking dish and heat at 325°F until warmed through, usually about 15-20 minutes.

More Tasty Ideas

If you love this honey sesame chicken breast, be sure to check out these other delicious ideas: 

• Bang Bang Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps
• Ginger Lime Chicken
• Easy Beef Stir Fry
• 40+ Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes

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