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Overhead view of a plate filled with white rice, sesame chicken pieces, and roasted green beans.

Sesame Chicken Recipe (No Fry Method)

This no-fry stovetop recipe for sesame chicken is simple and results in crispy and saucy coated chicken pieces that are so delicious. Make this 30-minute recipe for a flavorful, high-protein weeknight dinner that pairs well with rice and cooked veggies

Prep: 15 mins Cook: 15 mins Total: 30 mins
Servings: 4-6 1x
Scale

Ingredients

For the Chicken: 

  • lbs boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil

For the Sauce: 

  • ¼ cup coconut aminos*
  • 3 tablespoons pure honey
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves garlic, minced)
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger (or 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Optional for Serving: Hot cooked rice, sesame seeds, sliced green onions 

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken into about 1-inch pieces, making them as uniform in size as possible (this helps the chicken cook evenly in the skillet). Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel. 
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water, and the egg. The mixture will look like a pastry batter. Add the chicken pieces to the batter and stir until well coated. 
  3. In a very large nonstick or enamel-coated cast iron skillet over medium-high heat, heat the 1 tablespoon oil. When the oil is hot, swirl the skillet to distribute the oil all around. (NOTE: If you don’t have a very large skillet, cook the chicken in two batches.)
  4. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet in an even layer, spacing the chicken pieces out as much as possible. (NOTE: It’s OK if the batter causes some of the chicken to stick together. You will break up the pieces when you flip them over.) Cook the chicken, undisturbed, until golden brown on the bottom, 5 to 6 minutes. 
  5. Then, using a silicone flipper, turn the chicken over and use the edge of the flipper to break the pieces up, being careful to break off as little of the crispy crust as possible. Distribute the chicken again in a single layer and let it cook undisturbed on the other side until golden brown and the chicken is cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. 
  6. Meanwhile, in a large glass measure or medium bowl, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients (coconut aminos through sesame seeds) until well combined. 
  7. When the chicken is done cooking, remove the pieces to a paper-towel-lined plate or baking sheet and set aside. 
  8. To the same skillet over medium-high heat, add the sauce and heat, stirring occasionally, until it starts to simmer and thicken, 1 to 2 minutes. 
  9. Return the chicken pieces to the skillet and quickly toss just until coated in the sauce. 
  10. Remove the skillet from the heat and serve the chicken over rice and garnished with sliced scallions and additional sesame seeds, if desired.
  11. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Notes

* May use soy sauce in place of coconut aminos. If doing so, use 2 tablespoons soy sauce mixed with 2 tablespoon water to replace the ¼ cup coconut aminos.  

Nutrition Information

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe or ~ 1 1/2 cups chicken
  • Calories: 318
  • Fat: 11 g
  • (Sat Fat: 2 g)
  • Sodium: 564 mg
  • Carbohydrate: 21 g
  • (Fiber: 0 g
  • Sugar: 12 g)
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Cholesterol: 134 mg

Dietary

© The Real Food Dietitians
Recipe By: Jessie Shafer