Description
This Healthy Sesame Chicken recipe features tender chicken breast pieces marinated and cooked in a flavorful sesame sauce made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil. The dish is stir-fried in a skillet with fresh ginger and garlic, then coated with a glossy hoisin-infused sauce and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions. Served alongside steamed broccoli and brown rice, it’s a balanced, delicious meal perfect for a nutritious weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 4 green onions, sliced
To Serve
- Steamed broccoli
- Brown rice
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar. Let it marinate for 15 minutes to infuse flavor and tenderize the meat.
- Prepare the Sauce Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, remaining soy sauce, remaining rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and the cornstarch mixed with water to create a thick slurry for the sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook until browned and fully cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, then add the minced fresh ginger and garlic. Sauté for approximately 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
- Create the Sauce Base: Pour in the chicken broth and hoisin sauce to the skillet, scraping the pan to loosen any flavorful browned bits. Reduce the heat to medium, then add the prepared soy sauce mixture.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir continuously as the sauce begins to thicken, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes, until it becomes glossy and coats the back of a spoon.
- Combine Chicken with Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing it thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly with the thickened sauce. Cook together for an additional 2 minutes to heat through and blend flavors.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the finished chicken right in the skillet for added texture and flavor.
- Serve: Plate the sesame chicken hot, accompanied by steamed broccoli and brown rice for a wholesome and balanced meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken not only adds flavor but helps keep the meat juicy during cooking.
- Using low-sodium soy sauce helps control the salt content, making this dish healthier.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can increase the cornstarch slurry to 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the soy sauce and hoisin sauce are certified gluten-free or use tamari and a gluten-free alternative to hoisin.
- This recipe is great for meal prep and tastes even better the next day as flavors meld.
