There’s something irresistible about the sweet heat and nutty crunch in this **Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe** — it’s easily become one of my go-to weeknight favorites. The balance of sticky honey and spicy sriracha with toasted sesame oil just sings, making dinner feel special in a snap.

The image shows a black cast iron pan filled with small pieces of chicken in a thick, shiny orange-brown sauce. The chicken pieces are cut into bite-sized chunks and are evenly coated with the sauce, which pools slightly at the bottom of the pan. White sesame seeds are sprinkled on top, adding a contrast in color and texture. The black pan sits on a white marbled surface, enhancing the warm tones of the dish. The scene looks close-up and detailed, focusing on the glossy texture and rich color of the chicken and sauce. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I tried this dish — the sauce clung to the chicken beautifully, and the flavors were so vibrant. What makes this recipe special is how it straddles that line perfectly between sweet, spicy, and savory while keeping things super simple to prepare.

Quick and Easy: Ready in just about 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings when you want tasty without the fuss.
Flavor Bomb: The combo of honey, sriracha, and sesame oil creates a sauce that’s addictive yet balanced.
Great for Meal Prep: It reheats beautifully, so you can enjoy leftovers without losing that signature crisp and flavor.
Customizable Heat: You control the spice level by adjusting the sriracha to suit your taste.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic here lies in simple ingredients working in harmony—the cornstarch crisps up the chicken, while the sauce packs layers of umami, sweet, and spicy. A quick shopping tip: grab good quality honey and fresh sesame oil for the best flavor impact.

Flat lay of raw boneless skinless chicken breast pieces, a small mound of cornstarch powder on a white ceramic plate, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl of golden honey, a small white bowl of vibrant red sriracha sauce, a small white bowl of dark tamari soy sauce, a small white bowl of ketchup, a small white bowl of clear rice wine vinegar, a small white bowl of toasted sesame oil with a warm amber hue, a small white bowl of low sodium chicken broth, a small white bowl with black garlic powder powder, a scattering of golden toasted sesame seeds on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl with avocado oil, kosher salt and black pepper grains on separate small white bowls, all ingredients fresh and natural, meticulously arranged with perfect symmetry placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Easy to cut into bite-sized pieces that cook quickly and evenly.
Kosher salt & black pepper: Basic seasonings to bring out the chicken’s natural flavor without overpowering the sauce.
Cornstarch: Creates a light, crispy coating on the chicken, helping the sauce stick perfectly.
Avocado oil or olive oil: High smoke point oils ideal for searing chicken crisply.
Low sodium chicken broth: Adds depth to the sauce without making it too salty.
Low sodium tamari or soy sauce: Provides rich umami; tamari is a great gluten-free option.
Ketchup: Adds a subtle tang and body to the sauce for balance.
Honey: Sweetens and thickens the sauce while giving it that glossy finish.
Rice wine vinegar: Brightens the sauce, cutting through the sweetness with acidity.
Toasted sesame oil: Delivers that signature toasty aroma and flavor everyone loves.
Sriracha: Your go-to for heat—feel free to add more or less depending on your spice preference.
Garlic powder: Offers a subtle savory note without overpowering the other flavors.
Sesame seeds: Toasted on top for garnish, adding crunch and nuttiness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love adjusting the heat level depending on my mood or who I’m cooking for — it’s such a flexible recipe. Feel free to swap chicken breasts for thighs if you want juicier meat, or toss in some veggies for extra texture.

Variation: I’ve tried this recipe with boneless chicken thighs instead, which made the dish even more tender and flavorful, especially when cooked a little slower.
Vegetarian Option: Try replacing chicken with tofu—press the tofu well, coat with cornstarch, and pan-fry for a crispy alternative that soaks up the sauce beautifully.
Extra Veggies: Bell peppers or snap peas tossed in toward the end add a nice crunch and fresh pop of color.
Less Sweet: You can reduce honey by half if you prefer a more balanced sweetness without overpowering the sriracha kick.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe

A white bowl is filled with a layer of fluffy white rice, topped with chunks of cooked chicken coated in a shiny, dark orange sauce. The chicken pieces are sprinkled with white sesame seeds for texture, sitting in the center of the rice bed. Two wooden chopsticks rest on the left side of the bowl, angled slightly inward, touching the chicken. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with some scattered sesame seeds nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep and Coat the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. I like uniform sizes so they cook evenly—no one wants torn-apart chicken in their sauce! Toss the pieces in a bowl with salt, pepper, and cornstarch, then use a fork or your hands to coat lovingly. This dry coating not only crisps up nicely but helps the sauce cling later.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Sauce

While the chicken rests, whisk the sauce ingredients together in a glass measuring cup or bowl—chicken broth, tamari, ketchup, honey, rice wine vinegar, toasted sesame oil, sriracha, garlic powder, and cornstarch. This combo is what transforms the dish from simple to wow-factor.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Heat your skillet over medium-high heat, add the avocado or olive oil, and swirl to coat the pan. Lay your chicken in a single layer—this is key for proper browning. Resist the urge to stir too soon; let the chicken brown on one side for a few minutes. Then toss it around to get a golden crust all over. Trust me, this step makes a huge flavor difference.

Step 4: Add the Sauce and Finish Cooking

Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir to toss all those pieces in the glossy mixture. Keep stirring for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and clings beautifully. You’ll see it go from watery to luscious and syrupy — that’s your cue to take it off the heat.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top for that final nutty crunch, then serve the chicken over fluffy rice or noodles. This step is all about presentation and texture—you want it to look as good as it tastes.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned these little tricks really make the Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe shine. They save you time, prevent common pitfalls, and make sure your sauce hits just the right thickness and flavor every time.

Pat the Chicken Dry: Before coating, drying the chicken pieces helps cornstarch stick better, giving you that crispy sear.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if needed - overcrowding causes steaming instead of crisping.
Whisk Sauce Ingredients Well: Combine sauce ingredients thoroughly before adding, so the cornstarch doesn’t clump.
Control the Heat: Start with less sriracha—you can always add more at the end once you taste the sauce.

How to Serve Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe

Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top my Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and a few sliced green onions — it adds color and a fresh bite that contrasts beautifully with the rich sauce.

Side Dishes

It pairs perfectly with steamed jasmine rice or brown rice for a wholesome meal. Sometimes I serve it alongside stir-fried broccoli or snap peas — the crisp veggies balance the saucy chicken nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun dinner party, I like plating this chicken in lettuce cups with extra sauce drizzled on top and garnished with chopped peanuts for crunch. It turns the meal into a hands-on experience that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays great for up to 3 days and actually tastes better after the flavors meld overnight.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish before with good results — just cool it fully, portion it out, and freeze in a sealed container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To keep the chicken crispy, I reheat leftovers in a skillet over medium heat rather than the microwave. Adding a splash of water helps loosen the sauce if it thickened too much in the fridge.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just swap regular soy sauce for tamari, which is gluten-free, and double-check your ketchup and other condiments to ensure they don’t contain gluten ingredients.

How spicy is this recipe, and can I adjust the heat?

The recipe has a moderate spicy kick from the sriracha, which you can easily adjust to your taste. Start with a tablespoon and add more if you want it spicier. It’s super flexible!

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes! Chicken thighs work beautifully and tend to be juicier and more forgiving during cooking. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces and follow the same method.

How do I get the sauce thick and sticky?

The cornstarch mixed into the sauce acts as a thickener. Make sure to whisk it well into the liquids before adding to the pan, and cook the sauce for a few minutes until it visibly thickens and coats the chicken.

Final Thoughts

I truly love recommending this Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe because it feels both comforting and vibrant — a perfect marriage of flavors that’s quick to make yet impressive enough for company. Give it a try and adjust those seasonings until you find your personal sweet-heat spot. Trust me, you’ll want this one in your regular dinner rotation!