There’s something about the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and nutty that just hits the spot every time. This Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe brings together those flavors in a way that’s quick, satisfying, and downright addictive. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it on repeat!

The image shows a black cast iron skillet filled with bite-sized pieces of golden brown chicken coated in a shiny, thick brown sauce. The chicken pieces look tender and are sprinkled with small white sesame seeds, adding texture and color contrast. The skillet is sitting on a white marbled surface, and the sauce pools around the chicken, giving a glossy finish to the dish. 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

This recipe hits all the right notes, whether you want a quick weeknight dinner or something to impress without being complicated. I love how the sauce clings perfectly to every bite of tender chicken, giving you that beautiful flavorful punch each time.

Quick and Easy: You can whip this up in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy days when you want something tasty but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.
Flavor Bomb: The honey’s sweetness balances the sriracha’s heat, and the toasted sesame oil adds a rich, nutty depth that’s irresistible.
Versatile: It pairs beautifully with rice, noodles, or even steamed veggies, so you can customize each meal based on what you’re in the mood for.
Great for Meal Prep: Leftovers reheat wonderfully, and the flavors develop even more after a day or two.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe plays a starring role. Combining the sticky honey and spicy sriracha with the nuttiness of toasted sesame oil creates a sauce that’s both layered and balanced. Plus, using cornstarch helps get that perfect glaze on the chicken pieces.

Flat lay of boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces, a small mound of kosher salt, a small pile of black peppercorns, a small white bowl with fine cornstarch powder, a small white bowl of golden avocado oil, a small white bowl filled with low sodium chicken broth, a small white bowl containing dark tamari sauce, a small white bowl of bright red ketchup, a small white bowl of rich amber honey, a small white bowl with clear rice wine vinegar, a small white bowl with deep golden toasted sesame oil, a small white bowl holding vibrant red sriracha sauce, a small white bowl of light beige garlic powder, and a small white bowl with pale cream-colored cornstarch, alongside a scattering of toasted sesame seeds all arranged symmetrically and proportionally, 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

Chicken breasts: Lean and tender, these cook quickly and soak up all that delicious sauce beautifully.
Kosher salt & black pepper: Just enough seasoning to enhance the chicken without overpowering the flavors.
Cornstarch: This is key for creating a crispy texture on the chicken and thickening the sauce.
Avocado oil or olive oil: Both handle the skillet heat well—avocado oil has a higher smoke point, but olive oil works fine too.
Low sodium chicken broth: Adds moisture and a subtle savory base without too much saltiness.
Low sodium tamari or soy sauce: Gives the sauce its umami backbone while keeping sodium levels in check.
Ketchup: Adds sweetness and a touch of tang to balance the heat.
Honey: Provides natural sweetness that mellows out the spiciness of the sriracha.
Rice wine vinegar: Offers a mild acidity to cut through the richness and brighten the sauce.
Toasted sesame oil: A little goes a long way to add that iconic nutty aroma and flavor.
Sriracha: The star of the heat element! Adjust based on how spicy you like it.
Garlic powder: A simple way to add depth without the fuss of fresh garlic.
Sesame seeds: For a crunchy finish that looks and tastes great.

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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

One of the things I love most about this Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe is how easy it is to tailor. I often tweak the heat level or add in extras depending on the mood or occasion. Feel free to make it your own!

Variation: I once added thinly sliced bell peppers and green onions during the last minute of cooking, which added a fresh crunch and vibrant flavor. It’s a great way to sneak in some veggies.
Dietary tweak: For a gluten-free version, just make sure you use tamari instead of soy sauce. The sauce thickens just as nicely.
Heat adjustment: If you’re not into spicy food, tone down the sriracha gradually or swap it for a milder chili sauce.

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

A white bowl filled with a layer of plain white rice with soft, separated grains, topped with several pieces of golden-brown chicken glazed in a shiny orange-brown sauce sprinkled with white sesame seeds. Two wooden chopsticks rest inside the bowl on the left side, angled inward and touching the chicken pieces. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with scattered sesame seeds around it. Another similar bowl is partly visible in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Coat the Chicken

I start by cutting the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces—bite-sized is best for getting that sauce all around. Toss the pieces with kosher salt, black pepper, and cornstarch. Using a fork makes it easy to mix everything evenly. The cornstarch is a game-changer here; it creates a light crust that helps lock in moisture and gives you a silky sauce finish.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Sauce

In a glass measuring cup or bowl, I combine all the sauce ingredients—chicken broth, tamari, ketchup, honey, rice wine vinegar, toasted sesame oil, sriracha, garlic powder, and cornstarch. Whisk it well until everything’s smooth. This pre-mixing makes things so much easier once the chicken is cooked.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Heat your skillet over medium-high and add a tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, spread the chicken pieces evenly in the pan—don’t crowd them! Let them brown undisturbed for a few minutes. That golden crust is key to flavor and texture, so patience here pays off. Then toss the chicken around to brown all sides and make sure they’re cooked through.

Step 4: Toss in the Sauce and Finish

Pour the sauce over the chicken and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes. You’ll see it thicken and glossy coats each bite—exactly what you want! Just keep the heat medium to avoid burning the honey. Finally, sprinkle sesame seeds on top for a lovely finish.

Serve it over steamed rice or your favorite grain. I love how the sauce soaks into the rice—it’s a perfect way to enjoy every drop.

Top Tip

From making this Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe multiple times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really make a difference in nailing the perfect texture and flavor.

Use room temperature chicken: It cooks more evenly and gets that beautiful crust instead of steaming in the pan.
Don't skip the cornstarch: It’s what helps the sauce cling and get that silky texture, plus it crisps the chicken just enough.
Keep the heat moderate when adding sauce: Honey burns easily, so tossing the chicken gently over medium heat prevents bitterness.
Serve immediately: The sauce is thickest and the sesame seeds freshest when served right away, but leftovers still taste great.

How to Serve Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe

Honey Sriracha Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a huge fan of finishing this dish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and finely sliced green onions. The sesame seeds add subtle crunch and nuttiness while green onions bring a fresh, slightly sharp contrast that lifts the whole dish.

Side Dishes

This chicken shines with simple steamed jasmine rice or sticky rice to soak up that sauce. For some greens, I often serve it alongside sautéed bok choy or a crunchy cucumber salad to contrast the richness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a casual dinner party, I love plating this over a bed of fried rice or nestled inside butter lettuce leaves for a fun, hands-on take. Drizzle some extra sriracha on top for extra zing and those touches always get rave reviews.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I cool down leftovers to room temp and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The chicken keeps its flavor, and the sauce thickens even more, which I actually love.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well too. Just let it cool completely, then freeze in meal-sized containers. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and it tastes almost as fresh as the day you made it.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce thickened too much. This keeps the chicken tender and prevents the sauce from drying out or burning.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will be juicier and even more flavorful, just adjust cooking time to ensure they’re fully cooked through.

How spicy is this Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe?

The heat level is moderate and can easily be adjusted by using more or less sriracha depending on your preference. You can also remove the seeds from fresh chili if using extra heat.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes! Just swap the soy sauce for tamari or another gluten-free soy sauce alternative to keep it safe for gluten sensitivities.

What should I serve with this chicken?

It pairs beautifully with steamed rice, fried rice, noodles, or even butter lettuce wraps. Adding a simple green vegetable like bok choy or broccoli balances the meal nicely.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe has become one of my go-to favorites because it’s fast, flavorful, and downright comforting. I’m excited for you to try it because it’s the kind of meal that feels special, even when you’re just throwing together dinner on a busy night. Once you master it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it!