Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe
If you’re searching for a lighter twist on a classic takeout favorite, look no further than this Healthy Sesame Chicken. It brings all the umami magic and irresistible savoriness of the dish you love, but skips the deep frying and heavy sauces. Sweet honey mingles with tangy lime, a touch of ginger, and the irresistible aroma of toasted sesame oil to create an unforgettable meal that will earn a spot in your weeknight dinner rotation. This recipe is easy enough for busy nights but feels special enough for sharing, and every bite is packed with fresh, wholesome flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe proves that healthy really can be delicious, and it all comes down to a handful of simple ingredients. Each one brings something essential, whether it’s tenderness, color, brightness, or crave-worthy flavor. Here’s what you need to make Healthy Sesame Chicken shine:
- Chicken breasts: Lean and protein-rich, chicken breasts provide the perfect base, ready to soak up all that yummy sauce.
- Avocado oil: With its high smoke point and mild flavor, avocado oil helps the chicken brown beautifully without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Coconut aminos: The perfect soy sauce alternative, coconut aminos are gluten-free, lower in sodium, and add the signature savory punch.
- Honey: Just a touch of honey adds natural sweetness and helps the sauce caramelize gorgeously around each chicken piece.
- Toasted sesame oil: This is the key flavor maker! Toasted sesame oil infuses the dish with rich, nutty depth.
- Ground ginger: Fragrant and zingy, ground ginger wakes up the other flavors and adds warmth.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Fresh garlic packs in big flavor; mince it fine for the best distribution.
- Rice vinegar: Adds a gentle tang and brightness to balance out the honeyed sweetness.
- Black pepper: Freshly cracked if possible for a subtle, spicy lift.
- Lime zest: Fresh zest brightens the entire dish and introduces a lively citrus note.
- Lime juice: A squeeze of lime brings cheerful acidity and ties the sauce together.
- Sesame seeds: Sprinkle these over the top for a pretty finish and gentle crunch.
- Green beans (cooked): These add color, snap, and a healthy helping of veggies to your plate.
- White rice (cooked): The classic partner, fluffy white rice soaks up every last drop of that addictive sauce.
How to Make Healthy Sesame Chicken
Step 1: Prep the Chicken and Sides
Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized, 1-inch cubes. This ensures quick, even cooking and makes it easier to coat every piece with the delicious sauce later. Cook your white rice and green beans as directed, so they’re ready to go when the chicken is done. Having everything prepped sets you up for a stress-free finish!
Step 2: Brown the Chicken
Pour the avocado oil into a large pan and let it get nice and hot over medium-high heat — that sizzle is your best friend for flavor! Add your chicken cubes in a single layer and sauté for about 10–12 minutes, giving them time to brown on all sides. You want a golden exterior that will hold onto the sauce like a charm.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Healthy Sesame Chicken Sauce
While the chicken is working its magic, whisk up your Healthy Sesame Chicken sauce in a small bowl. Combine coconut aminos, honey, toasted sesame oil, ground ginger, minced garlic, rice vinegar, black pepper, lime zest, and lime juice. This powerhouse combo smells amazing and will taste even better once it hits the pan.
Step 4: Remove Chicken from the Pan
Once your chicken pieces are cooked through and nicely browned, transfer them to a plate and set aside. They’ll make a grand return in just a minute, but this step ensures they don’t overcook while you focus on thickening the sauce.
Step 5: Simmer and Thicken the Sauce
Return to your (still hot, unwashed) pan and pour in the sauce mixture. Let it bubble away over medium-high heat for around 3–5 minutes, stirring faithfully to prevent sticking or burning. The sauce will start to thicken and turn glossy thanks to the honey. Keep an eye on it — it happens quickly, and you want it silky, not scorched!
Step 6: Coat the Chicken
Slide the cooked chicken back into the pan, tossing to coat every nook and cranny with that luscious sauce. Let the chicken warm through, making sure every piece is glistening and perfectly coated.
Step 7: Serve Over Rice and Green Beans
Spoon the Healthy Sesame Chicken onto a bed of steamed white rice and bright green beans. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and get ready to savor a takeout classic, reinvented.
How to Serve Healthy Sesame Chicken
Garnishes
A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds gives this Healthy Sesame Chicken an authentic, restaurant-style look and adds a subtle nutty crunch. For even more color and zest, toss on a little extra lime zest or some thinly sliced green onions. These garnishes lift the dish visually and add bursts of flavor in every bite.
Side Dishes
While green beans and white rice are delicious and traditional, you can also pair this Healthy Sesame Chicken with steamed broccoli, cauliflower rice, brown rice, or even a crisp Asian-inspired slaw. The neutral sides let the flavors of the chicken take center stage and keep the meal balanced and energizing.
Creative Ways to Present
Try skewering the saucy chicken pieces for a party-ready appetizer, packing the dish into bento boxes for a fun packed lunch, or serving in lettuce cups for a fresh twist. Layer the chicken over a grain bowl with extra veggies, or top a salad with chopped leftovers for an extra pop of flavor.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover Healthy Sesame Chicken should be cooled to room temperature before being placed in an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making it a fantastic choice for meal prepping your weekly lunches or quick dinners.
Freezing
You can freeze Healthy Sesame Chicken for longer storage. Simply portion the cooled chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or gently in the microwave before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat Healthy Sesame Chicken gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge. The microwave also works for smaller portions; just cover the dish to keep it moist and heat in short bursts, stirring in between.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs offer a bit more juiciness and are quite forgiving if slightly overcooked. Just be sure to trim excess fat and cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
Is coconut aminos necessary, or can I use soy sauce?
Coconut aminos give the dish its signature mellow savoriness and keep things gluten-free, but low-sodium soy sauce can be swapped in a pinch. Just reduce the quantity slightly, as soy sauce is saltier.
Can I make this Healthy Sesame Chicken ahead of time?
Yes! This dish is perfect for meal prep. You can cook the chicken and prepare the sauce up to two days ahead, then combine and reheat when you’re ready to eat.
How do I keep the chicken tender?
The key is not to overcook: brown the chicken just until it’s no longer pink inside. Cutting the chicken into evenly sized pieces also helps ensure they cook at the same rate and stay tender throughout.
Is this recipe spicy?
Healthy Sesame Chicken, as written, is mild and family-friendly. If you’re a heat lover, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of sriracha to the sauce for a little kick.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready for a lightened-up, flavor-packed meal that’s fancy enough for company but easy enough for any night, give this Healthy Sesame Chicken a try. You’ll love how the bold sauce clings to every tender bite, and it’s bound to become a go-to in your kitchen. Grab those ingredients and treat yourself and your loved ones to a healthier takeout night at home!
Print
Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A delicious and healthy sesame chicken recipe that is easy to make and packed with flavor. Tender chicken pieces coated in a savory-sweet sesame glaze, served with green beans and rice.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/2 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lime zest (zest of one lime)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice (juice of one lime)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
For Serving:
- 2 cups cooked green beans
- 1 cup cooked white rice
Instructions
- Prep Ingredients: Cut chicken into cubes. Cook rice and green beans.
- Cook Chicken: Heat oil in a pan, sauté chicken until browned.
- Make Sauce: Whisk together coconut aminos, honey, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, rice vinegar, black pepper, lime zest, and lime juice.
- Cook Sauce: Cook sauce in the pan until thickened.
- Combine: Add chicken to the sauce, coat well.
- Serve: Serve sesame chicken over rice and green beans, garnish with sesame seeds.
Notes
- You can customize the veggies in this recipe based on your preference.
- Adjust the sweetness and saltiness of the sauce to suit your taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Sesame Chicken, Healthy Chicken Recipe, Asian-Inspired Dish
