Easy Honey Ginger Sesame Chicken Recipe
All the delicious takeout feels and flavors using a much healthier marinade.
This is one of the best chicken dishes I’ve ever made. As always, super simple basic recipes are the best. It’s the type of recipe you make when you’re in the mood for takeout but want to clean it up a bit.
You may notice that the marinade and the Topping Sauce are pretty much the same exact recipe except for the rice vinegar. We added the vinegar to the MARINADE ONLY to tenderize the meat. I didn’t enjoy the flavor for the sauce so we left it out. I also definitely recommend the Toasted Sesame Oil for the sauce part – it’s flavor is INCREDIBLE.
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Easy Honey Ginger Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
Marinade:
- 2 tbs sesame oil
- 2 tbs low sodium soy sauce *
- 2 tbs honey
- 1 tbs unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tbs ginger paste (or fresh ginger)
- 1/2 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika + dried oregano
- salt to taste
Topping/Sauce to Serve:
- 2 tbs toasted sesame oil
- 2 tbs low sodium soy sauce *
- 2 tbs honey
- 1 tbs ginger paste
- 1/2 tsp each garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chili powder + dried oregano
Garnish: Toasted Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry your chicken pieces and transfer to a ziploc bag.
- In a small bowl, whisk together all of the marinade ingredients well and then pour into the bag with the chicken. Place the sealed bag in your fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 400℉ or the air fryer to 375℉. Place the chicken on a dish or baking sheet and bake for 17-20 minutes or air fry for 12 minutes.
- While they're cooking, whisk up all of the Topping/Sauce ingredients in a small glass and taste to see if you need to adjust anything.
- Top the cooked chicken with the sauce and some toasted sesame seeds.
Notes
*Use Tamari Sauce to make this gluten free
Serve with rice and steamed vegetables.
Nutrition
Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 521mg | Potassium: 415mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 36IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
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So good. My son was grunting while eating. I will make again. Quick with so much flavor.
Such a great tasting marinade for chicken thighs!
Hi Kelly, I agree – one of my faves!
What are you lining your pan with? Just parchment paper? Can’t wait to try this!
yes! just parchment here!
Easy, delicious! Everyone loved it!
Thank you so much for sharing!
This was the second recipe I tried on this site. Couldn’t believe how easy this was and my kids loved it. Will be trying some of the other recipes on this site. It was good without the additional sauce. I skipped the sesame seeds since I didn’t have any. Was still good.
This recipe is incredible! Just made it for dinner, and not a leftover in sight.
Hi Sophia, Fantastic! Same thing happens here lol
We absolutely LOVED this dish! Served it with cauliflower rice & bok choy sautéed in sesame oil & garlic. I warmed the sauce before drizzling over and it was epic!
It looks and sounds great. but my daughter only eats white meat. Any changes I need to make if I am using chicken breasts instead of thighs?
HI Robbin, yes, same recipe for breasts, just adjust time if the pieces are really thick. I always like to use a meat thermometer so I dont over cook or undercook!
Was a winner in my house! So full of flavor.
Hi Amber, SO glad the recipe was enjoyed and thanks for the kind rating!
Delicious!
Hi Leanne, glad you liked the chicken dish!
Definitely One of the best chicken dishes I have tasted! The chicken was so tender (I marinated overnight) And so easy to make! Definitely now on rotation at my house. I put my on Zoodles for a healthier option too. Thanks again for so many wonderful recipes. So glad I found you!
We grilled. Fabulous!!
Hi Lynn, glad you enjoyed! thank you for the rating too!!
I don’t usually leave reviews on recipes but had to on this one. Excellent flavor and so easy! will be making again!
HI Christina, glad you tried it and liked it! Thanks so much for the kind rating!
Covered in oven or uncovered? Thx
Uncovered
I don’t have fresh ginger or pasta, can I use some ground ginger? Or just omit? Thx!
Hi Cathy, you can definitley use ground ginger. I would start with 1/4 tsp and build up if needed. Ground ginger can be very pungent.
Stella. I truly love your recipes and follow you on Instagram too. Please recommend marinating in any reusable container – pyrex, ceramic or even plastic, but NOT throw away bags. Few people actually wash them out. Please, Stella. You have kids. Keep up the great work. Thanks.
thought the same thing! 100% marinate in a bowl or dish.
Pretty sure that’s what she was talking about – like a ziplock bag (plastic bag) you can seal because she said “place sealed bag in fridge.”