Easy Chinese Honey Sesame Chicken
User Reviews
4.8
Easy Chinese Honey Sesame Chicken
Description
This recipe uses sliced chicken thighs marinated briefly with soy sauce, salt, tahini (or sesame paste), and sesame seeds, then coated lightly with plain flour before baking. Baking followed by broiling crisps the exterior while keeping the chicken juicy inside. The sauce combines honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, chicken broth or cooking wine, and sesame oil, thickened quickly on the stove with a cornstarch slurry into a rich glaze.
Garlic is sautéed briefly to infuse scent without browning, then the sauce is combined and poured over the baked chicken. Tossing the chicken in the thickened sauce ensures every piece is coated. Toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions garnish the dish, enhancing the nutty aroma and appearance.
This baked version avoids deep frying for a healthier approach but still achieves a crisp texture. It can be served with rice or steamed vegetables. Using chicken thighs helps retain moisture better than breast, though breast can be substituted.
Sesame paste or tahini acts as a binder and flavor enhancer; peanut butter can substitute in a pinch. Use ordinary soy sauce rather than light or dark varieties for balanced flavor without excess saltiness or intensity.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb / 500g chicken thighs , cut into 1.2cm/ 1/2" slices (Note 1)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp tahini Note 2, aka sesame paste
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds , toasted
- 1/2 cup plain flour
- cooking spray
Sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (Shaoshing / Shaoxing wine) or sherry (or use chicken broth/stock)
- 3/4 cup chicken broth or stock
- 1 tsp rice wine vinegar or ordinary white vinegar, or Chinese black vinegar
- 3 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce , all purpose ordinary (Note 3)
- 2 tsp sesame oil
Cornstarch
- 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch or cornflour; mixed with 2 tbsp water
To Cook
- 2 tsp neutral cooking oil vegetable, canola, peanut, generic cooking oil
- 2 garlic minced, cloves
Garnish
- 1 scallion sliced, or shallot stem
- 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds , toasted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200C/430F with shelf placed on the highest level. Spray baking tray with oil.
- Mix sesame paste and soy sauce in a bowl (to loosen it up, easier to coat chicken). Add chicken, salt and sesame seeds.
- Place flour in a separate bowl and coat chicken in flour, shaking off excess. Place chicken on baking tray.
- Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven.
- Flick to broiler/grill as high as it will go with shelf about 15cm/6" from the heat source.
- Turn chicken. Broiler/grill for 5 minutes until golden and quite crispy (Note 4), then remove.
- Meanwhile, mix together Sauce in one bowl and Cornstarch in another.
- Heat oil in a wok or skillet (I used a skillet) over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Sauce and bring to bubble. Add Cornstarch and cook for 30 seconds until it thickens into a thick syrup.
- Remove the Sauce immediately from the stove and pour over the chicken.
- Toss chicken in Sauce then sprinkle over Sesame Seeds and Shallots/Scallions to serve. Serve with rice.
Notes
- Chicken thighs give juicier results than breast; breast can be used but may be drier.
- Tahini can be replaced with sesame paste or even peanut butter for similar effects.
- Use regular soy sauce, not light or dark varieties, for appropriate saltiness and flavor balance.
- Baking with a broil finish offers a crispy texture without deep frying.
- Deep frying twice can increase crispness but is optional for this recipe.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 3-4
Amount Per Serving
Calories 425 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 222g | |
| Calories | 425cal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 26.3g | 9% |
| Protein | 40.1g | 80% |
| Fat | 17.2g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 3.8g | 19% |
| Cholesterol | 111mg | 37% |
| Sodium | 1043mg | 43% |
| Potassium | 420mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 13.5g | 27% |
| Vitamin A | 50IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 0.8mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 60mg | 6% |
| Iron | 3.1mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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