Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli

Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli brings together the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors in one irresistible dish. The tender chicken pieces are coated in a glossy honey-sesame sauce that clings beautifully to both the meat and the vibrant green broccoli florets.

This homemade version rivals any takeout but comes without the mystery ingredients or excessive oils. It’s the kind of weeknight dinner that satisfies those Chinese food cravings while keeping things wholesome enough to feel good about serving to your family.

Why You’ll Love This

• Ready in just 45 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights
• One-pan cooking means minimal cleanup afterward
• The sauce achieves that perfect takeout-style consistency without any hard-to-find ingredients
• Balanced meal with protein and vegetables all in one dish
• Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors continue to develop

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1-1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
• 2 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot flour
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cups broccoli florets (about 2 crowns)
• 2 whole green onions, diced
• 1 tsp salt for steaming broccoli

Instructions

1. Fill a large pot with 2-3 inches of water and add the broccoli florets with 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover and bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and steam for 6 minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process – this keeps it bright green and perfectly tender.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, cornstarch, and sesame seeds until smooth. This sauce is going to be absolutely delicious – the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and nutty!
3. Place the chicken pieces in a large plastic bag. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Add this mixture to the bag with the chicken, seal it up, and shake until every piece is evenly coated. This light coating will give you the perfect golden crust.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer – don't overcrowd! Let them cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until golden, then flip and cook until all sides are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through with no pink in the center.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low and pour the prepared sauce over the golden chicken. Toss to coat and let the sauce simmer until it thickens beautifully – this should take just a minute or two. The aroma will be incredible!
6. If your skillet is large enough, gently fold the steamed broccoli into the saucy chicken. If not, transfer everything to a large serving bowl and toss together. Sprinkle with diced green onions and serve immediately while hot. Every bite is pure comfort food perfection!

Tips & Variations

• For a spicier version, add 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce
• Substitute chicken thighs for chicken breast if you prefer more tender, juicy meat
• Make it vegetarian by replacing chicken with firm tofu or tempeh
• Add other vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas for more color and nutrition
• For a thicker sauce, mix an additional teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and stir into the sauce
• Meal prep tip: This dish keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli over steamed jasmine or brown rice to soak up all that delicious sauce. For a lower-carb option, cauliflower rice works beautifully too.

Complete your homemade Chinese feast with a side of hot and sour soup or a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and a touch of sesame oil.

Notes

• Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
• The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems slightly thin when hot
• Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before adding for enhanced nutty flavor
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the sauce and cut the chicken and broccoli up to a day in advance. Store separately in the refrigerator until ready to cook.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written, but you can easily make it gluten-free by substituting tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce.

Can I freeze leftovers?
While you can freeze this dish, the broccoli may become softer when thawed. For best results, consume within 2-3 months of freezing and reheat gently.

What can I substitute for honey?
Maple syrup or brown sugar will work as alternatives, though they will slightly change the flavor profile. Adjust quantities to taste as honey is sweeter than maple syrup.

Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli

Recipe by Feel Tasty

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Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli brings together the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors in one irresistible dish. The tender chicken pieces are coated in a glossy honey-sesame…

Servings4

Prep15 min

Cook15 min

Calories443 kcal

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1-1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
• 2 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot flour
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cups broccoli florets (about 2 crowns)
• 2 whole green onions, diced
• 1 tsp salt for steaming broccoli

Steps

1. Fill a large pot with 2-3 inches of water and add the broccoli florets with 1 teaspoon of salt. Cover and bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and steam for 6 minutes until the broccoli is tender-crisp. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process - this keeps it bright green and perfectly tender.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, cornstarch, and sesame seeds until smooth. This sauce is going to be absolutely delicious - the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and nutty!
3. Place the chicken pieces in a large plastic bag. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Add this mixture to the bag with the chicken, seal it up, and shake until every piece is evenly coated. This light coating will give you the perfect golden crust.
4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer - don't overcrowd! Let them cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until golden, then flip and cook until all sides are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through with no pink in the center.
5. Reduce heat to medium-low and pour the prepared sauce over the golden chicken. Toss to coat and let the sauce simmer until it thickens beautifully - this should take just a minute or two. The aroma will be incredible!
6. If your skillet is large enough, gently fold the steamed broccoli into the saucy chicken. If not, transfer everything to a large serving bowl and toss together. Sprinkle with diced green onions and serve immediately while hot. Every bite is pure comfort food perfection!

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 443 kcal