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Honey sesame chicken with a glossy ginger garlic glaze, sesame seeds, and scallions, served with rice.
Hannah Brooks

Honey Sesame Chicken

Bite-size chicken thighs are browned in a skillet and coated in a glossy honey, coconut aminos, ginger, garlic, and sesame glaze, then served over rice.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Calories: 535

Ingredients
  

Rice
  • 1 cup jasmine rice
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Chicken
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil
Honey sesame glaze
  • 1/3 cup coconut aminos
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger finely grated
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons sliced scallions

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan with lid
  • Fine-mesh strainer
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowl
  • Instant-read thermometer

Method
 

  1. Rinse the jasmine rice until the water runs mostly clear. Combine it with 1 1/2 cups water and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce to low, and cook according to package directions, about 12 to 15 minutes. Rest covered for 5 minutes.
  2. Whisk the coconut aminos, honey, apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon water, garlic, ginger, and toasted sesame oil in a bowl. In a separate small cup, stir the 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water.
  3. Toss the chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
  4. Heat the neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in one layer and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, turning to brown the sides, until the thickest pieces reach 165°F.
  5. Pour the honey mixture into the skillet and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce turns glossy and coats the chicken.
  6. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions. Serve the honey sesame chicken over the cooked jasmine rice.

Notes

Use an instant-read thermometer to check the thickest chicken pieces. Add a tablespoon of water if the glaze thickens more than you like. Nutrition estimate includes the rice. Nutrition values are estimates.
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