If you’re craving a quick Asian-inspired chicken dinner that’s flavorful, family-friendly, and ready in about 20 minutes, this Honey Sesame Chicken is exactly what your weeknight needs. It’s high in protein, made in one pan, and tastes better than takeout — with none of the guilt.
Whether you’re meal prepping, feeding picky eaters, or just want a dinner that’s easy yet impressive, this healthy honey sesame chicken recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort.
One Pan High-Protein Dinner Honey Sesame Chicken
We love a good high-protein weeknight meal, and if it’s half the mess? There’s just nothing better. I love serving chicken for dinner, as it’s naturally high in protein and so easy to use as a base for so many good flavors. The sauce for this dish is insane, if I do say so myself, and gives that dependable weeknight chicken a spotlight in your dinner rotation. This meal comes together in a single skillet, which is not only great for cleanup, but allows all the flavors to really come together. And just in case I haven’t yet convinced you to make this dish tonight, it shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes from the time you start to cook to the time you sit down to eat. Bon appetite, convenience.
SIMPLE AND HEALTHY MEAL FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
This recipe is almost too simple for how delicious it is. Made with just a handful of pantry-staple ingredients, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that you can have all the flavors of your favorite takeout meal for less time, with things you already have on hand. I just know you’re going to love this one, so do yourself a favor and double the recipe so that you’re set for healthy lunches or leftovers throughout the week. Bridger’s official review is that this saucy chicken is better than takeout and tastes like an “unhealthy” treat… I mean, that’s just about the highest husband compliment you can get.
Completely gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free (and low sugar with only 2 tablespoons of honey in the entire recipe), this recipe is not only well balanced nutritionally, but sure to impress any picky eater.
Try pairing this meal with my absolute favorite side, Crispy Buttery Broccolini.
Ingredients You Need
Here’s what goes into this quick honey sesame chicken recipe:
- Avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil
- Onion, finely diced
- Minced garlic
- Large organic chicken breasts, cubed
- Coconut aminos (soy-free alternative to soy sauce)
- Raw or manuka honey
- Sesame oil
- Water
- Arrowroot starch (or cornstarch)
- Green onion, chopped
- Sesame seeds
This simple ingredient list uses pantry staples with a few flavorful additions — no complicated sauces required.
How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken (Step-by-Step)
1. Prep the Chicken
Start by cutting boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes. Coat with a drizzle of avocado oil and a pinch of salt and pepper while your skillet heats up — this brings flavor and texture.
2. Sauté Aromatics
Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat with oil. Add diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onions are soft and fragrant.
3. Brown the Chicken
Add the chicken to the hot skillet and spread it out so it can brown evenly. Rotate pieces every couple of minutes until lightly seared.
4. Add Sauce Ingredients
Stir in coconut aminos, honey, sesame oil, and a splash of water. Meanwhile, whisk arrowroot starch with a little water to make a slurry, and add it to your skillet so the sauce thickens nicely.
5. Simmer & Finish
Let everything cook together for 5–7 minutes until the sauce becomes glossy and coats the chicken perfectly. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Is Honey Sesame Chicken Healthy?
Yes — this recipe takes a classic takeout favorite and makes it healthier. It’s gluten-free, dairy-free, low in added sugar, and packed with lean chicken and nutrient-rich aromatics. By cooking from scratch and using quality ingredients, you avoid the excess sodium and oils often found in restaurant versions.
Recipe Substitutions & Variations
Want to customize this dish? Here are easy swaps:
- Arrowroot Starch: Substitute corn starch if needed.
- Protein Options: Try this sauce with shrimp, beef strips, or tofu.
- Honey Alternatives: Maple syrup works too (slightly different flavor).
- Soy Swap: Regular soy sauce can replace coconut aminos; reduce salt to taste.
These options help tailor the recipe for dietary preferences or what you have on hand.
Honey Sesame Chicken FAQs
How long does this take to make?
About 20 minutes — 5 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! It reheats well for lunches or dinner on busy nights.
Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes — freeze stored portions for up to 2–3 months. Thaw before reheating.
WANT MORE HEALTHY RECIPES LIKE THIS?
Spicy Pineapple Chicken Bowl With Veggies
Looking for more healthy recipes? Check out my New York Times Best Selling Cookbook, Rachael’s Good Eats. 110+ easy, laid-back, nutrient-rich recipes.
what I used to make this recipe:
20-Min Honey Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp avocado or extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
- 3 large organic chicken breasts, trimmed and cubed
- 1/3 cup coconut aminos, (soy-free alternative to soy sauce)
- 2 tbsp raw or manuka honey
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch, (or sub cornstarch)
- 1/2 cup chopped green onion
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a large bowl, let cubed chicken marinate with 1-2 tbsp oil, salt and pepper until your skillet is ready.
- In a large pot or skillet, heat oil until hot, but not smoking. Add diced onion and garlic, and cook until onions are translucent, stirring every few minutes. Add your chicken and spread out evenly so it can brown.
- Once almost fully cooked, add your other ingredients: coconut aminos, honey, sesame oil and water, and stir. Separately in a small bowl, add a few tablespoons of water and 1 tbsp arrowroot or cornstarch (to thicken the sauce). Stir until completely dissolved before adding to your skillet. Give everything another good stir and let heat on medium for 5-7 minutes, covered.
- Remove from heat, add 1/4 cup chopped green onion and 1 tbsp sesame seeds to skillet and stir. Serve over rice with sauteed broccolini and another sprinkle of green onion and sesame seeds. Enjoy! 🙂
I don’t care for too much onion & garlic. Can I omit or sub?
Turning this into a Panda Express cc by using green beans…serving w steamed jasmine rice & hot jasmine tea.
We make this recipe about twice a month. So easy, so tasty, so wholesome. In a pinch, I’ve used GF-flour to thicken and it works just as well! Thanks for sharing.