Get ready for a healthier and delicious version of Panda Express honey sesame chicken! This easy recipe features skinless chicken breast and a homemade honey sesame sauce. Top it off with sesame seeds and green onions for added crunch and flavor. These photos showcase a beautifully plated dish of golden brown chicken bites coated in the mouth-watering honey sesame sauce.
If you’re a fan of Chinese cuisine, you’ve probably heard of the popular dish, honey sesame chicken. Unfortunately, many restaurant versions of this dish are often high in calories and sodium. However, you can still enjoy this tasty dish without compromising on flavor or health. In this blog post, I’ll show you how to make a healthier version of honey sesame chicken at home.
This homemade honey sesame chicken recipe is a healthier alternative to the popular Panda Express version, as it is made with skinless chicken breasts and a homemade sauce that is lower in sodium and sugar than most restaurant versions. Additionally, this recipe allows you to control the amount of spice and sweetness in the dish, so you can adjust it to your liking.
The use of cornstarch in this recipe helps create a crispy and crunchy texture on the chicken, without the need for deep-frying. If you’re looking for an even healthier alternative, you can try baking the chicken in the oven instead of pan-frying it. Simply coat the chicken in the cornstarch, and then place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, or until fully cooked and golden brown. You can also cook the chicken in a pan with some oil.
The homemade honey sesame sauce is what really makes this dish stand out. The combination of sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and nutty sesame oil creates a well-balanced flavor that pairs perfectly with the chicken. Plus, the addition of sesame seeds and green onions on top adds a nice crunch and freshness to the dish.
In conclusion, making your own honey sesame chicken at home is a great way to enjoy this popular dish while also maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. With this recipe, you can indulge in the flavors of Chinese cuisine without sacrificing your health or taste buds. So, give it a try and impress your friends and family and add this to your weekly rotation!
2 skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 tsp sesame seeds
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sriracha sauce
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Honey Sauce
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 tsp crushed red pepper
Sliced green onions, for garnish
Corn starch slurry 1tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water.
Instructions
In a large bowl, season the chicken with everything but the panko breadcrumbs listed under ” Sesame Chicken” Once everything is mixed, add the breadcrumbs to the mixture or you can individually coat eat piece into the breadcrumbs.
Heat the oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken pieces to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, until they are golden brown and fully cooked.
In a separate bowl, whisk together everything listed under “honey sauce” besides the corn starch slurry.
Pour the sauce into a pan and bring to a low simmer. Add the corn starch slurry and stir until it thickens.
Add the chicken in the pan and stir well to coat the chicken in the sauce.
Just an East/West coast girl living the southern life. I love sharing all my tested and perfected recipes here, along with some travel guides and a little bit of my lifestyle
