18 October 2025
Crispy Sesame Chicken with Sticky Honey Soy Glaze
RecipeShare Test Kitchen
4.7(11 ratings)
Make restaurant-style sesame chicken at home! Crispy fried chicken pieces tossed in a glossy honey soy glaze with garlic, chili, and sesame—sweet, tangy, and utterly addictive. Perfect for weeknights or family dinners.
Prep time
15 min
Cook time
20 min
Total time
35 min
Servings
4
Chef's Tips
Double-fry the chicken for extra crunch that stays crispy under the sauce.
Add a touch of rice vinegar or lime juice for a brighter flavor.
Toast sesame seeds before sprinkling for a nuttier aroma.
Pair with jasmine rice or steamed broccoli for a balanced meal.
For a lighter version, air fry the chicken instead of deep-frying.
Tools Used
Frying PanMixing Bowl(opens in a new tab)
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Ingredients
Ingredients
Servings
4 servings1×
Scale
Ingredient amounts update instantly.
For The Chicken
For The Crispy Coating
For Frying
For The Sticky Sauce
To Serve
Instructions
Prepare and Fry the Chicken
- 1
Combine the chicken pieces with the beaten eggs in a bowl.
- 2
In a separate dish, mix the cornstarch, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- 3
Coat each piece of chicken in the flour mixture after the egg.
- 4
Fry the chicken in hot oil until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Make the Sauce and Finish
- 1
In a pan, heat sesame oil and sauté garlic briefly.
- 2
Add vinegar, honey, sweet chili sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce.
- 3
Simmer until the sauce thickens and turns sticky.
- 4
Toss the fried chicken in the sauce until fully coated.
- 5
Serve with rice, topped with sesame seeds and spring onions.
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Everything you want to know about this recipe.
Your New Favorite Dish: Sesame Chicken with Sticky Sauce
Your New Favorite Dish: Sesame Chicken with Sticky Sauce
If you're a fan of the tantalizing blend of sweet, salty, and savory flavors, then it's time you met your new favorite dish: Sesame Chicken with Sticky Sauce. This Asian-inspired meal, featuring crispy chicken bites drenched in a luscious sticky sauce, will have your taste buds dancing in delight.
The Ingredients You'll Need
The Ingredients You'll Need
- 75 grams of Vegetable oil
- 2 eggs (lightly beaten)
- 24 grams of cornstarch
- 90 grams of plain flour
- 2.5 grams of salt
- 2.5 grams of pepper
- 5 grams of garlic powder
- 5 grams of paprika
- 3 chicken breast fillets, chopped into bite-size pieces (about 500 grams)
- 15 grams of sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 15 grams of white vinegar
- 30 grams of honey
- 30 grams of sweet chili sauce, to taste
- 45 grams of ketchup
- 30 grams of brown sugar
- 60 grams of soy sauce
- Boiled rice, to serve
- 20 grams of sesame seeds, to serve
- Small bunch of spring onions/scallions, chopped, to serve
The Cooking Process
The Cooking Process
- Combine the bite-sized chicken pieces with the beaten eggs in a bowl, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- Next, in a separate shallow dish, blend the cornstarch, flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Gently roll each egg-coated chicken piece in the flour mixture, ensuring each bite gets an even coat. Then, fry these morsels in vegetable oil until they turn a beautiful shade of golden brown.
- Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest and strain over a paper towel to remove excess oil.
- Now, it's time for the magic sauce! Combine the sesame oil, chopped garlic, vinegar, honey, sweet chili sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce in a pan. Heat this aromatic mixture over medium heat until it thickens slightly and gains a sticky consistency.
- Introduce the crispy chicken pieces back into the pan, stirring to ensure each piece is generously coated with the sticky sauce.
- Your Sesame Chicken with Sticky Sauce is ready to be served. Pair it with rice and garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a scattering of chopped spring onions.
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutritional Information
Nutritional Information
Each serving of Sesame Chicken with Sticky Sauce (about 350 grams) offers:
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Carbohydrate: 38 grams
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
- Fat: 26 grams
- Protein: 34 grams
- Saturated Fat: 6 grams
- Sodium: 1,170 mg
- Sugar: 20 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 grams
Remember that these values are estimates only.
Top Tips and Secrets for the Perfect Crispy Sesame Chicken with Sweet Sticky Sauce
Top Tips and Secrets for the Perfect Crispy Sesame Chicken with Sweet Sticky Sauce
- Fry the chicken in oil that is at least 350 F or 180 C. This ensures you will have crispy batter.
- Do not fry too many pieces of chicken at once.
- Ensure you slice the chicken in bite-sized pieces and in roughly the same sizes so they all cook together.
- Marinade the chicken slices in soy sauce before cooking for at least four hours so the chicken meat will not be bland.
- Use high quality and pure sesame oil for maximum sesame taste.
Alternative Ingredients to Make Crispy Sesame Chicken with Sweet Sticky Sauce
Alternative Ingredients to Make Crispy Sesame Chicken with Sweet Sticky Sauce
- Substitute white vinegar with Chinkiang Vinegar for an even more authentic Chinese taste.
- Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast for a deeper flavour.
- This will also work well with pork pieces instead of chicken.
- We did not use MSG, but you can add some as you please!
How to Keep the Chicken Batter Crispy
How to Keep the Chicken Batter Crispy
- When frying, ensure not to overcrowd the chicken pieces in the pan.
- Fry the chicken pieces in oil that is at least 180 C or 350 F.
- Serve immediately after mixing the sauce with the chicken.
- If serving later, do not mix the sauce with the chicken to preserve the texture of the battered chicken.
What Can I Serve with Crispy Sesame Chicken Aside from Rice
What Can I Serve with Crispy Sesame Chicken Aside from Rice
- Fried rice variations like garlic or egg fried rice
- Stir fried broccoli with oyster sauce and mushrooms
- This can also be served with cooked noodles.
FAQs
FAQs
Why is my Sesame Chicken not crispy?
It could be because the oil wasn't hot enough when you added the chicken or the pan was overcrowded, causing the chicken to steam instead of fry.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and the sauce separately, then combine and heat them up when you're ready to serve.
What can I do with leftover Sesame Chicken with Sticky Sauce?
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated the next day, making for a quick and delicious meal.
Is this dish spicy?
The spice level of this dish can be adjusted to your preference by modifying the amount of sweet chili sauce used.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs can make the dish even juicier. Just adjust the cooking time as thighs may take a bit longer to cook than breasts.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 350 grams
Calories 52026%
% Reference Intake*
Total Fat 26g37%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 95mg
Sodium 1170mg
Total Carbohydrates 38g15%
Dietary Fiber 0g
Sugars 20g22%
Protein 34g68%
* Reference intakes are based on an average adult's 8,400 kJ / 2,000 kcal diet. Your needs may be higher or lower.
FAQs
Can I make this sesame chicken ahead of time?
Yes! You can fry the chicken ahead and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 10 minutes, then toss in freshly warmed sauce before serving.
What’s the best way to make this gluten-free?
Substitute soy sauce with tamari and use a gluten-free flour blend for coating. The flavor remains rich and delicious.
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
Absolutely! Coat the chicken lightly with oil and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20–25 minutes until golden. It won’t be as crispy but still tasty and healthier.
How do I make the sauce thicker?
Simmer the sauce longer until it reduces, or mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp water and stir it into the sauce to thicken.
Community Reviews
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4.7
11 ratings
5
73%
4
27%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%
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Share your experience and help others.
Oliver H.
· 15 Aug 2025Fantastic flavor! I used sesame oil sparingly and added some chili flakes for heat—new favorite weeknight recipe.
Grace Y.
· 14 Jun 2025Delicious and easy. I served it with broccoli and rice—looked straight out of a takeaway box but tasted better.
Lucas P.
· 13 May 2025Tried the air-fryer tip—worked amazingly well! Crispy and flavorful without excess oil. My family loved it.
Mei L.
· 11 Mar 2025Tastes *exactly* like my favorite Chinese restaurant version but fresher and less greasy. The honey soy glaze is perfection.
Alina V.
· 10 Jan 2025I appreciated the reduced sweetness compared to orange chicken. The sticky sauce clung so well to the crispy bits!
Dave M.
· 9 Nov 2024This was better than the sesame chicken at my local Chinese restaurant. Crispy, sticky, and full of flavor!
Priya S.
· 7 Jul 2024Perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory. Served it with jasmine rice and a side of broccoli. Everyone loved it.
Jordan T.
· 6 May 2024The flavor was great, but I found the batter a little too thick. Will thin it out next time. Otherwise—delicious!
Sara B.
· 5 Feb 2024Really easy to follow and tasted like proper takeaway sesame chicken. I added a bit of sriracha for heat—so good!
Ken L.
· 3 Nov 2023I used boneless chicken thighs instead of breast and it turned out extra juicy. That sticky sauce is a winner!
Emily R.
· 2 Aug 2023My kids *devoured* this! Love how the sauce is flavorful but not overly sweet. Will definitely be part of our weekly rotation.
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