Easy Sesame Chicken
Make easy homemade sesame chicken with this simple recipe. Lighter, healthier version with less sugar and sodium—perfect for weeknight dinner!
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
- 2 green onions, sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil for cooking
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 teaspoons honey or additional maple syrup for glaze
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels, which helps them achieve better browning and crisping.
- 2
Whisk together the tamari, rice vinegar, maple syrup, sesame oil, and cornstarch in a small bowl until the cornstarch dissolves completely.
- 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot, about 2 minutes.
- 4
Working in two batches to avoid overcrowding, sear the chicken pieces for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, then transfer to a clean plate.
- 5
Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the same skillet and reduce heat to medium.
- 6
Sauté the minced garlic and grated ginger together for about 1 minute until fragrant and lightly golden, stirring constantly.
- 7
Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- 8
Stir the prepared sauce mixture once more, then pour it into the skillet with the simmering broth.
- 9
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and gently toss to coat all pieces evenly with the sauce.
- 10
Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- 11
Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the red pepper flakes if using.
- 12
Transfer the sesame chicken to a serving platter or individual bowls, then garnish with sliced green onions and both white and black sesame seeds.
- 13
Serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Honey | Pure maple syrup or monk fruit sweetener | Reduces blood sugar impact while maintaining sweetness and depth of flavor |
| Regular soy sauce | Low-sodium tamari or coconut aminos | Decreases sodium content and reduces blood pressure concerns while preserving umami |
| Avocado oil for cooking | Ghee or light olive oil | Ghee offers better heat stability and supports gut health; olive oil provides anti-inflammatory benefits |
| White sugar | Allulose or erythritol | Zero-glycemic sweetener alternative that doesn't spike blood sugar or feed inflammation |
| Cornstarch | Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch | Arrowroot is gentler on digestion and more gut-friendly than refined cornstarch |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 342 |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 2g |
| Cholesterol | 98mg |
| Sodium | 380mg |
| Carbohydrates | 14g |
| Fiber | 2g |
| Sugar | 7g |
| Protein | 43g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
