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Overhead view of a delicious plate of healthy sesame chicken, fluffy white rice, and bright green snow peas, garnished with sesame seeds and an elegant fork.

Healthy Sesame Chicken: A Lighter Takeout Favorite

Enjoy a healthier version of your favorite takeout dish with this easy Healthy Sesame Chicken recipe. Diced chicken is coated, quickly cooked, and then tossed in a sweet and savory homemade sesame sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 275 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium bowl
  • Large Skillet
  • fork
  • Clean plate
  • Small Bowl
  • whisk

Ingredients
  

FOR THE CHICKEN:

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced into 1″ cubes
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons gluten free tamari or soy sauce or coconut aminos
  • 1-2 Tablespoons Avocado oil

FOR THE SESAME SAUCE:

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 Tablespoons gluten-free tamari or soy sauce or coconut aminos*
  • 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey
  • 1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil or more to taste
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
  • pinch red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch or arrowroot
  • 1 Tablespoon water
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions
 

Main Instructions

  • Combine diced chicken with 2 Tbsp cornstarch and 1 1/2 Tbsp tamari in a medium bowl, then toss to coat thoroughly.
  • Heat 1 Tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes on the first side and 1-3 minutes on the second side until opaque, then remove to a plate and repeat as needed.
  • While chicken cooks, combine water, tamari, syrup, vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes in a bowl or measuring cup and whisk well.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together 1 Tbsp cornstarch and 1 Tbsp water to create a cornstarch slurry.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low, add the cornstarch slurry to the sesame sauce, and whisk. Pour the sauce into the pan, whisking for 3-5 minutes until it's bubbling, thickened, and translucent.
  • Return the cooked chicken to the pan, coat with sauce to heat through, then sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve warm.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The sauce will thicken when chilled but can be thinned out by warming it with a drizzle of water.