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Make this Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe for a simple yet delicious dinner. With frozen popcorn chicken, all you need to do is cook some rice, combine the sauce ingredients, and then toss it all together. The crispy fried chicken smothered in a sweet, tangy sauce topped with sesame seeds is better than your favorite Chinese Take-Out!
As for my family, when we have no time and are beyond hungry, we tend to reach for the phone to order takeout. But this recipe is so easy and fast that you will have it on the table before the delivery person rings the indoor bell! Not to mention, there are more ways you can make this dish even faster!
- Use a 5-minute cooked rice packet or precooked rice.
- Grab cooked rice and hot popcorn chicken from the deli at the grocery store. Then just whip up the sauce and toss.
- Make the sauce the day before – when you have more time. Meal prep is always a good idea, anyhow.
Why We Love This Recipe!
- Easy Recipe: Use frozen popcorn chicken and a simple rice recipe, make the sauce in a large pan, and that’s it! Sesame chicken is excellent for a busy weekend or a quick weeknight dinner. No deep-frying is required!
- Skip the Take-Out: This sesame chicken recipe is as delicious as your favorite American-Asian take-out restaurant!
- Family Friendly: If you have a picky one in the family, just keep a few of the chicken bites out of the sauce. They can eat it plain or you can let them add whatever sauce from the fridge they want!
Save and enjoy your favorite Chinese food at home! Try my Orange Chicken Recipe and these tasty Chicken Wonton Tostadas.
Ingredient Notes
Variations and Substitutions
How To Make Easy Homemade Sesame Chicken
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1 | Cook chicken and rice
This recipe could not start off any easier! Simply start by cooking the popcorn chicken according to the package directions. This will take 15 to 20 minutes, so continue with the rest of the recipe in the meantime. Also, get the rice cooking by following the directions on the packaging.
Step 2 | Make the sauce mixture
While the chicken and rice are doing their thing, set a large skillet or saucepan with olive oil and minced garlic cloves over low to medium heat. Saute for a couple of minutes, then add the low-sodium soy sauce, honey, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sweet chili sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil. Stir the sauce for 2 -3 minutes until warmed and thoroughly combined.
Step 3 | Add chicken, garnish, and serve!
Now, plop the cooked chicken into the freshly made sauce and toss to coat. Serve the dish over rice, garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions, then enjoy!
Tips
- Rice Options– Make this recipe even easier by using a 5-minute quick-cooked rice or leftover rice from your dinner last night. Or prep ahead and make the rice the night before and store it in the fridge until ready to use.
- Sauce Thickness– For the extra thick sauce, cook the sauce ingredients on a lower heat for longer or add more cornstarch, a small amount at a time. For thinner, savory sesame sauce, reduce the cornstarch and cook the ingredients just until they are warmed and combined.
Fancy, right? I know – but- shhhhh! Don’t tell anyone how fast and easy it is!
Can I Make The Breaded Chicken From Scratch?
Sure! Homemade chicken nuggets are delicious! Here’s what you need:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup oil
Just whisk eggs in a bowl, then add cornstarch flour and salt to another bowl. Next, dredge the chicken pieces in the eggs and the flour mixture.
Place a skillet over medium heat, adding oil– Sesame oil is best! Once it’s nice and hot, add the breaded chicken and cook it on each side for 4 to 7 minutes until golden brown. To be sure, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature. It should reach 165 degrees F.
Recipe FAQs
Sesame chicken is a typical Chinese-American fast food dish, including small pieces of chicken, coated, deep fried, and covered in a sweet, savory, and tangy sauce with a hint of sesame seed flavor.
They are similar dishes commonly served at Chinese restaurants in America, but they have subtle differences. General Tso’s chicken is usually more spicy and made with chicken breast and thigh meat, while sesame chicken sauce is sweeter, without the heat, and the dish is primarily made with chicken thighs.
Sure! Prep the recipe in the morning before heading off to work or errands, and enjoy a simple process when making dinner. Or make it the night before for even less hassle the day of! Cook the rice and popcorn chicken, then make the sweet and savory sauce. Store all the components separately in airtight containers in the fridge until ready to serve. Add the ingredients to a skillet to warm up for dinner and enjoy!
Storage
Refrigerate: In the rare chance you have leftover sesame chicken, you can store it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days
Freeze for Long-term Storage: You can freeze honey sesame chicken for up to three months. However, I don’t suggest freezing rice because the texture can become mushy.
What to Serve with Crispy Sesame Chicken with a Sticky Asian Sauce
Swap the plain rice for something a little bit different, like this easy Rice Pilaf Recipe or Instant Pot Southern Tomatoes and Rice. For extra vitamins and nutrients, serve the dish with a side of Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad– Yum!
Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes
- Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
- Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
- Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken
- Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Casserole
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Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 24 ounces frozen popcorn chicken, cooked (or see notes for homemade version)
- 2 cups rice, cooked (for serving)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic gloves, minced
- ⅓ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- ¾ cup honey
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sweet chili sauce, (can use more or less depending on how spicy you like you like it)
- 3 teaspoons cornstarch
- 3 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onion
Instructions
- Cook the chicken according to the directions. Cooking will take approximately 15-20 minutes. While the chicken is cooking continue creating the recipe.
- Cook the rice according to the directions. You can boil in a bag rice, use 5-minute quick-cooked rice, or leftover rice.
- In a large saute pan add the olive oil and garlic cloves. Saute for 2-3 minutes over low to medium heat.
- Add the soy sauce, honey, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sweet chili sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil and stir for 2 -3 minutes.
- Add the cooked chicken to the sauce. Toss until the chicken is fully coated.
- Serve over rice if desired. Top with sesame seeds and green onions. Enjoy immediately while warm.
Notes
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup oil
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
This chicken is so saucy and delicious. It’s so much healthier than takeout too!
Thank you, Shelby!
Goodbye take out! This recipe was amazing! Nothing beats homemade and My family and I really enjoyed this for dinner tonight!
It’s so easy you don’t need take out! Right! Thank you, I am so happy to hear you enjoyed it.
The combination of tender chicken, savory sauce, and nutty sesame seeds creates a mouthwatering experience that I can’t get enough of!
Thank you, Gianne! I am glad you enjoyed it!
This sauce absolutely makes this dish. It was so easy and exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
Thank you, Bobby! I agree it’s all about the sauce!
Love this Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe, so easy and delicious, my daughter loves this recipe. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you, Elisa! I am glad you and your daughter enjoyed it!