Description
Golden, crispy chicken bites coated in a sticky honey sesame sauce. This Asian-inspired dish is sweet, savory, and crunchy, delivering takeout flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 egg
1/3 cup water
Vegetable oil, for frying
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Optional: sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together cornstarch, flour, baking powder, salt, and white pepper.
- Add the egg and water to the dry ingredients, stirring until a smooth batter forms.
- Toss the chicken pieces into the batter until fully coated.
- Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes per batch or until golden and crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the cornstarch slurry to the sauce and stir until thickened, about 2–3 minutes.
- Toss the fried chicken in the sauce until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and garnish with green onions if using. Serve immediately.
Notes
Swap chicken thighs for chicken breast if preferred.
Add chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes for a spicier version.
Bake or air-fry the chicken for a healthier alternative.
Add chopped roasted peanuts or cashews for extra crunch.
Use gluten-free flour and tamari for a gluten-free version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
