Sticky Sesame Chicken Recipe
The next time you’re craving takeout, make this instead in just 20 minutes! This recipe is so fast and easy, and uses frozen popcorn chicken to save time. While the chicken bakes, you make a sticky sweet-and-savory sauce with soy sauce, honey, sweet chili sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Pouring the sticky sauce over freshly baked chicken gives this quick Asian-inspired dinner recipe its better-than-takeout vibes! It reminds me of a cross between Panda Express’ Honey Sesame Chicken and Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken, minus the the orange flavor. But the saucy nature of the dish, the breaded chicken that’s a mix of white and dark meat, the sweetness of the sauce (which is perfect over rice!), this is a guaranteed picky-eater approved dish! If you’re wondering if you can make this recipe without using a convenience product like frozen popcorn chicken, you sure can. In fact, my recipe for Better-Than-Takeout Sticky Chicken creates a lightly breaded sticky chicken dish using bite-sized pieces of diced boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Ingredients in Sticky Sesame Chicken
You’ll need the following easy-to-find fridge and pantry ingredients including the following:
Frozen popcorn chicken (thaw and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or according to package directions) Olive oil or vegetable oil Garlic Honey Soy sauce (I always use lite or low sodium soy sauce) Ketchup Light brown sugar Rice vinegar Cornstarch Toasted sesame oil – toasted has a richer flavor than if it’s not toasted. I get mine at Trader Joe’s where they only sell toasted sesame oil. Don’t skip this ingredient because it adds a ton of authenticity and depth of flavor to the overall dish. Sweet chili sauce – this is not really ‘spicy’ in the small amount used and it adds sweetness more than heat. Use the rest of the jar and make my viral Sweet Chili Chicken and Roasted Vegetables sheet pan dinner! Sesame seeds, green onions – optional for garnishing
Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How To Make Sticky Sesame Chicken
This is a very easy number to whip up. It feels very Sandra Lee and “semi homemade”. If you know who she is, then I hope you are smiling at the memory! Otherwise check out this Thai Kitchen Sweet Chili Sauce. It’s similar to the TJ’s sauce, but the bottle is only about half the size and since I am a sauce girl all the way, I would need two bottles of this brand for this recipe versus one bottle of TJ’s. I suggest serving this craveworthy breaded popcorn sesame chicken with rice to soak up all that sticky sesame chicken sauce! In the Freezer: This recipe will keep airtight in the freezer for up to 3 months. However, I wouldn’t make this recipe with the intention of freezing it. Since you’re starting with frozen popcorn chicken – kind of defeats the purpose of cooking it! To Reheat: I use my microwave for quickness and ease and reheat my leftovers for about 30 seconds on high, or as needed. But you can use your stove or oven, whatever is best suited for you.
White rice (use a packet of precooked rice – great to always keep on hand) Brown rice Basmati rice Jasmine rice
More Skillet Asian Chicken Recipes:
Better-Than-Takeout Sticky Chicken — Stop calling for takeout or going to the mall food court and make this AMAZING sticky chicken at home in 15 minutes!! So EASY with the perfect balance of sweet and spicy with plenty of sticky sauce!! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! 15-Minute Skillet Sesame Chicken with Broccoli – Healthier sesame chicken that isn’t breaded or fried! You won’t miss the fat or calories in this fast and easy version that’s loaded with Asian-inspired flavors! You can happily skip takeout now! Chinese Sweet and Sour Chicken — This sweet and sour chicken recipe takes just 15 minutes to make and tastes way better than takeout. Perfect for a weeknight dinner! Better-Than-Takeout Cashew Chicken – Juicy chicken, crisp-tender vegetables, and crunchy cashews coated with the best garlicky soy sauce!! Skip takeout and make your own restaurant-quality meal that’s easy, ready in 20 minutes, and healthier!! Chicken and Green Bean Stir Fry — 🧡💚 Juicy pieces of chicken and crisp-tender green beans are coated in a sweet and savory stir fry sauce! It’s a simple yet flavorful stir fry that’s made with pantry staples you have on hand already! Best of all, it’s a QUICK and EASY one skillet recipe that’s ready in less than 30 minutes so it’s great for busy weeknights! Healthier Orange Chicken – Stop calling for takeout or going to the mall food court and make this HEALTHIER orange chicken at home in less than 10 minutes!! EASY, authentic, and so INCREDIBLE that you’ll never miss the fat and calories!! Easy Better-Than-Takeout Chicken Fried Rice – One-skillet, ready in 20 minutes, and you’ll never want takeout again after tasting how good homemade is! Way more flavor, not greasy, and loads of juicy chicken! Chicken Stir-Fry with Noodles — Skip takeout and make this EASY stir fry that’s ready in 15 minutes! Loaded with juicy chicken, crisp-tender veggies, comforting noodles, and Asian-inspired flavors! Perfect for busy weeknights!! Kung Pao Chicken – An easy BETTER-THAN-TAKEOUT recipe with juicy chicken and such a flavorful sauce!! Don’t call for takeout when you can make this HEALTHIER version at home in 20 minutes! So AUTHENTIC tasting!! Chicken Chow Mein — Chewy chow mein noodles, crisp-tender veggies, and juicy chicken are stir-fried in a sesame-soy sauce! It’s a SIMPLE and FAST recipe that anyone can make.
