Healthy Sesame Chicken
Introduction
Skip the takeout and treat yourself to a homemade classic with this Healthy Sesame Chicken! It delivers all the sweet, tangy, and savory flavors you crave, but with lighter ingredients and far less oil. By baking (not frying) and using a honey-sweetened sauce, you’ll enjoy a wholesome version that’s weeknight fast and sure to satisfy the whole family.
Deliciously Unique Healthy Sesame Chicken
This Healthy Sesame Chicken stands out with a crisp oven-baked coating and a luscious sauce made from real, simple ingredients. It’s lighter than traditional restaurant versions, but never skimps on taste. Each bite is perfectly seasoned, a little bit sweet, a touch sticky, and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds for nutty crunch.
Balanced, Flavorful Sesame Sauce
The signature sauce comes together easily. A blend of low-sodium soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, rice vinegar, and a bit of garlic and ginger yields a perfectly balanced flavor—no bottled sauces required. A light cornstarch slurry gives the sauce that classic gloss and just-thick-enough coating.
Quick Assembly and Prep
Chicken breast pieces are tossed in a touch of cornstarch for a golden, crisp exterior without any deep frying. The sauce simmers on the stove as the chicken finishes, meaning everything comes together in under 30 minutes. Serve it over steamed brown rice or quinoa and with a side of vegetables for a complete, wholesome meal.
Serving Suggestions for Fresh & Bright Healthy Sesame Chicken
Top your sesame chicken with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and chopped scallions for brightness and crunch. Pair it with steamed broccoli, snow peas, or a crisp Asian-style slaw. For extra meal-prep flexibility, this dish holds up well for leftovers and makes for a satisfying, reheatable lunch.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about four servings. Each serving contains approximately 320 calories, 32g protein, 7g healthy fats, and 28g carbohydrates, depending on precise portioning and ingredients used. It’s an excellent lighter option for Chinese takeout fans.
Healthy Sesame Chicken (Recap)
A lighter take on a beloved favorite, this Healthy Sesame Chicken keeps the crispy coating and sweet-savory glaze but leaves the deep fryer behind. It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for families or anyone looking for flavorful weeknight meals.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and seamless meal planning.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly coat with oil spray.
- Toss chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons cornstarch, a pinch of salt, and black pepper, ensuring all pieces are lightly coated.
- Arrange chicken in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 16–18 minutes, flipping halfway, until chicken is golden and cooked through.
- While chicken bakes, make the sauce: In a small saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, honey (or maple syrup), rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry. Stir into simmering sauce and cook for 1–2 minutes, until thickened and glossy. Remove from heat.
- Transfer baked chicken to a large bowl. Pour sauce over and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions. Serve immediately over brown rice or quinoa, with a side of your favorite vegetables.
Weekly Meal Planning
This Healthy Sesame Chicken is perfect for meal prep and planning! Save and schedule this recipe to effortlessly build your weekly menu and generate smart shopping lists that consolidate ingredients for all planned meals.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically calculates ingredient totals across different recipes
- Sorts your shopping list by grocery store section
- Eliminates duplicate purchases and helps you remember every ingredient
- Keeps your meal prep streamlined and stress-free
Pro tip: When you’re planning a week of recipes, schedule them to see ingredient overlaps—for example, ginger and scallions might be used in several dishes, and CookifyAI will add up exactly how much you’ll need for all your recipes!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
