Quick & Juicy Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli Recipe

Honey sesame chicken dances between sweet and savory, changeing ordinary ingredients into a culinary symphony that tantalizes taste buds.

Tender meat glistens with a rich, golden glaze that promises pure comfort on a plate.

Home cooks gravitate toward this classic dish for its irresistible combination of flavors and simple preparation method.

The delicate balance of ingredients creates a harmonious blend that speaks to both traditional and modern palates.

Crisp broccoli florets add a vibrant green contrast, providing a nutritious companion to the succulent protein.

Each bite promises a perfect marriage of textures—crunchy, juicy, and impossibly smooth.

Families and friends will find themselves drawn to this crowd-pleasing meal that feels both familiar and exciting.

Why Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli Is Better Than Takeout

• Quick and Effortless Meal: This honey sesame chicken recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal kitchen effort, perfect for busy weeknights when you want delicious food without complicated cooking techniques.
• Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The combination of sweet honey, tangy rice vinegar, savory soy sauce, and nutty sesame creates a harmonious sauce that coats tender chicken and crisp broccoli, providing a delightful taste experience in every single bite.
• Texture Sensation: Enjoy golden-brown chicken with a delicate crispy exterior and juicy interior, paired with tender-crisp steamed broccoli that adds a fresh, vibrant crunch to the overall dish, making each mouthful exciting and satisfying.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Easily adaptable for different dietary preferences by adjusting spices, using gluten-free alternatives, or swapping proteins, this versatile recipe ensures everyone can enjoy a delicious, homemade meal tailored to their taste.

Key Ingredients for Sweet, Sticky, and Savory Chicken

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the base of the dish, best when fresh and boneless.

• Cornstarch, Flour: Creates a crispy exterior for the chicken, helps sauce adhere better.

• Soy Sauce, Honey, Sesame Oil, Rice Vinegar: Provides a balanced sweet and tangy Asian-inspired flavor profile.
• Ginger, Garlic: Adds depth and authentic Asian aromatics to the sauce.
• Sesame Seeds: Provides nutty crunch and visual appeal.

• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing chicken, helps achieve golden brown exterior.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for seasoning chicken and enhancing overall taste.

• Broccoli: Adds nutritional value, color, and texture to the dish, best when fresh and crisp.

• Green Onions: Provides fresh, mild onion flavor and visual brightness.

Water: Used for steaming broccoli and adjusting sauce consistency.

How to Sauté Chicken and Broccoli in a Sticky Sauce

Step 1: Prep the Green Goodness

Get your broccoli ready for its steam bath!

• Large pot of water
• Steamer basket (optional)
• Salt

Fill the pot with water, sprinkle in some salt. If you have a steamer basket, awesome! If not, no worries. Bring water to a gentle bubble, then add broccoli. Cook until it’s bright green and crisp-tender, about 5-6 minutes. Quickly cool it down with a cold water rinse to lock in that vibrant color and crunch.

Step 2: Whip Up the Flavor Explosion

Create a sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance!

• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Sesame oil
• Rice vinegar
• Fresh ginger
• Garlic
• Cornstarch
• Sesame seeds

Grab a bowl and mix all these magical ingredients. Stir until everything gets cozy together. Set aside and let the flavors mingle.

Step 3: Chicken Coating Magic

Transform your chicken into a crispy delight!

• Chicken pieces
• Cornstarch
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

Toss chicken pieces into a big zip-lock bag. Whisk together the dry ingredients, then shower the chicken with this crunchy coating. Seal and shake until every piece is perfectly dressed.

Step 4: Sizzle and Golden

Bring the chicken to crispy perfection!

Heat olive oil in a large skillet. When the oil looks shimmery, carefully place chicken pieces. Let them sizzle undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown. Flip and cook until each piece is completely cooked through.

Step 5: Sauce It Up

Turn those golden chicken pieces into a flavor bomb!

Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken. Keep the heat gentle and let everything simmer. Stir and coat until the sauce thickens and hugs each chicken piece.

Step 6: Final Fusion

Bring everything together in delicious harmony!

Gently fold the steamed broccoli into the saucy chicken. If the skillet’s crowded, use a separate bowl. Sprinkle with fresh green onions for a pop of color and extra zing.

Tips for Stir-Fry Success Without Overcooking Veggies

• Coat Chicken Evenly: Use a zipper bag to ensure each piece gets an equal, light layer of cornstarch mixture for maximum crispiness and even cooking.
• Control Oil Temperature: Watch the skillet carefully, letting oil shimmer but not smoke to achieve perfect golden-brown chicken without burning.
• Prevent Overcooking Broccoli: Steam exactly 6 minutes and immediately rinse with cold water to maintain a vibrant green color and tender-crisp texture.
• Thicken Sauce Perfectly: Stir sauce constantly while simmering to help cornstarch activate and create a glossy, smooth coating on the chicken.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast sesame seeds briefly in a dry pan before adding to the dish to release their nutty aroma and intensify the overall taste.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Chicken and Broccoli Bowls

• Refrigerate: Transfer honey sesame chicken and broccoli to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat Stovetop: Warm the dish in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to prevent drying and restore sauce consistency. Stir gently to distribute heat evenly.
• Microwave Option: Place leftovers in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to maintain moisture and prevent uneven heating.

Rice and Side Ideas That Work Beautifully

• Pair with Crisp Rice Wine: Complement the honey sesame chicken's sweet and savory flavors with a chilled glass of mild rice wine, which cuts through the richness and refreshes the palate.
• Serve Alongside Jasmine Rice: Create a perfect base for the saucy chicken by preparing fluffy jasmine rice, which absorbs the delicious sesame honey sauce and provides a subtle fragrant backdrop.
• Match with Asian Cucumber Salad: Balance the warm chicken dish with a cool, tangy cucumber salad dressed in rice vinegar and sesame oil, adding a light, refreshing contrast to the main course.
• Finish with Green Tea: Conclude the meal with a hot cup of green tea, which helps cleanse the palate and aids digestion while complementing the Asian-inspired flavor profile of the dish.

Flavor Boosters and Additions to Try

• Spicy Sesame Chicken Kick: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the honey sesame sauce for a fiery version that brings extra heat to the dish.
• Ginger Garlic Power Boost: Double the amount of fresh ginger and garlic in the sauce to create a more intense, aromatic flavor profile that packs a punch.
• Citrus Zest Remix: Replace part of the water with fresh orange or lime juice to introduce a bright, tangy element that complements the honey and sesame flavors.
• Nutty Chicken Crunch: Coat the chicken in chopped almonds or crushed peanuts before cooking to add a satisfying textural element and nutty undertone to the dish.

Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli Recipe

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4.9 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Honey sesame chicken and broccoli brings sweet and savory Chinese-inspired flavors to your dinner table. Quick-marinated chicken nestles alongside crisp broccoli, glazed with a golden sauce that balances rich soy complexity with delicate honey notes you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1–1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1–2 inch pieces

Vegetables:

• 6 cups broccoli florets (about 2 crowns)
• 2 whole green onions, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated

Sauce and Coating Ingredients:

• ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1.5 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a steamer setup by filling a large pot with water and positioning a steamer basket. Add broccoli and a pinch of salt, then cover and simmer on low heat for 6-7 minutes until crisp-tender.
2. Transfer steamed broccoli to a colander and rinse with cold water to halt cooking, then set aside to drain completely.
3. Create a flavor-packed sauce by whisking together soy sauce, water, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, garlic, cornstarch, and sesame seeds in a small mixing bowl.
4. Season chicken pieces with a blend of cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper inside a sealed plastic bag, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
5. Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium temperature until it shimmers with heat. Carefully arrange chicken pieces in a single layer without overcrowding.
6. Cook chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, rotating to achieve a golden-brown exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking.
7. Pour prepared sauce over the perfectly cooked chicken, reducing heat to medium-low and gently tossing to coat evenly.
8. Allow sauce to simmer and thicken, stirring continuously to prevent burning and create a glossy, rich coating.
9. Incorporate steamed broccoli into the chicken mixture, gently folding to distribute sauce and ingredients uniformly.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions and serve immediately while warm for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Steaming broccoli perfectly ensures a vibrant green color and crisp-tender texture without losing essential nutrients.
• Coating chicken with cornstarch and flour creates a light, golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and adds delightful crunch.
• Sesame oil and honey combine to deliver a rich, sweet-savory sauce that elevates the entire dish with complex flavor profiles.
• Always cook chicken until no pink remains in the center to guarantee food safety and prevent potential foodborne illnesses.
• Use medium-low heat when simmering the sauce to allow it to thicken naturally without burning or becoming too sticky.
• Green onions provide a fresh, sharp garnish that brightens the dish and adds a subtle aromatic finish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 33 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg