Easy healthy sesame chicken is more than just a meal; it’s a delicious, guilt-free solution for busy weeknights. This recipe delivers all the beloved sweet and savory flavors of your takeout favorite without the heavy oil or processed ingredients, making it a fantastic and wholesome option for the whole family.
Key Ingredients for Easy Healthy Sesame Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (or arrowroot starch for paleo/grain-free)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil, plus more for sautéing
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup for vegan/refined sugar-free)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce (optional, for a touch of heat)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced, for garnish
How to Make Easy Healthy Sesame Chicken
This easy healthy sesame chicken recipe proves that vibrant flavor can be achieved with simple, wholesome ingredients. It’s a quick-cooking dish that will tantalize your taste buds with its perfectly balanced sweet and savory sauce, coating tender pieces of chicken. With preparation and cooking time totaling around 30 minutes, it’s an ideal solution for a satisfying meal when time is short.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with cornstarch until lightly coated. This helps create a slightly crispier exterior when cooked and thickens the sauce beautifully.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, sriracha (if using), and chicken broth or water. Set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and a little extra cooking oil (like avocado or olive oil) in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the cornstarch-coated chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Simmer the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the prepared sauce into the same skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens.
- Combine and Coat: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Toss gently to coat all the chicken pieces evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the delicious sauce.
- Serve: Transfer the easy healthy sesame chicken to a serving dish. Garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions. Serve immediately with your favorite steamed rice, quinoa, or a fresh green salad.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Healthy Sesame Chicken
You’ll absolutely adore this easy healthy sesame chicken, primarily for its incredible depth of flavor achieved with minimal effort and healthy ingredients. Unlike restaurant versions often laden with sugar and oil, this home-cooked rendition offers a lighter, yet equally satisfying, sweet and savory profile that’s truly adaptable. Plus, the quick preparation and reliance on pantry staples make it a budget-friendly alternative to takeout, allowing you to enjoy a wholesome, flavorful meal any night of the week. So ditch the delivery apps and give this delightfully simple recipe a try – your taste buds and your wallet will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Properly storing your easy healthy sesame chicken ensures you can enjoy its deliciousness for days to come.
- Refrigeration: Allow the cooked chicken to cool completely. Transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, let the chicken cool down. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
- Reheating:
- Stovetop: The best method for reheating is on the stovetop. Gently warm the chicken in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, adding a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth if the sauce seems too thick.
- Microwave: You can also reheat in the microwave. Place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals until heated through, checking for tenderness.
- Oven: For oven reheating, place the chicken in a baking dish and warm at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
Final Thoughts
This easy healthy sesame chicken is a testament to how simple, nutritious ingredients can create a truly satisfying and flavorful dish. Give it a try and discover your new favorite weeknight meal – it’s incredibly easy and rewards you with a taste of pure comfort.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Easy Healthy Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a medium bowl, toss the bite-sized chicken pieces with cornstarch until lightly coated. This helps create a slightly crispier exterior when cooked and thickens the sauce beautifully.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, sriracha (if using), and chicken broth or water. Set aside.1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, 2 cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon sriracha or chili garlic sauce, 1/4 cup chicken broth or water
- Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and a little extra cooking oil (like avocado or olive oil) in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the cornstarch-coated chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, and cook for about 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the prepared sauce into the same skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the thickened sauce. Toss gently to coat all the chicken pieces evenly. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the delicious sauce.1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs
- Transfer the easy healthy sesame chicken to a serving dish. Garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions. Serve immediately with your favorite steamed rice, quinoa, or a fresh green salad.1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds, 2 green onions