Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli

Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli is a quick stir fry made with bite-sized chicken breasts, crisp broccoli florets, and a honey sesame sauce of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil. Cooked in a large skillet until golden brown, then topped with sesame seeds, it’s perfect for weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients for Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli

This sesame chicken and broccoli recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients to create a balanced and flavorful dish. The honey sesame sauce combines pantry staples like low sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil for that classic sweet-savory glaze, while the chicken and vegetables are cooked in a large skillet over medium high heat until golden brown. With crisp broccoli florets and tender bite-sized pieces of boneless skinless chicken breasts, this chicken recipe is perfect for quick dinners or meal prep.

Honey Sesame Sauce

• 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 2 tsp cornstarch

Chicken and Vegetables

• 1 to 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1–2 inch bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot flour
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 6 cups broccoli florets (about 2 crowns)
• 2 whole green onions, diced
• 1 tsp salt for steaming broccoli

These sauce ingredients and fresh vegetables come together beautifully, making honey sesame chicken and broccoli a flavorful and satisfying sesame chicken stir fry you’ll want to make again and again.

How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli

This honey sesame chicken and broccoli comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a go-to chicken recipe for weeknights or meal prep. The combination of golden brown chicken, crisp broccoli florets, and a glossy honey sesame sauce made with toasted sesame oil, sodium soy sauce, and rice vinegar creates a sesame chicken stir fry that’s both flavorful and satisfying.

1. Steam the Broccoli
   Fill a large pot with 2–3 inches of water, add the broccoli florets with 1 teaspoon salt, and cover. Bring to a simmer, then reduce to low and steam for 6 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and rinse with cold water to keep them bright green.
2. Make the Honey Sesame Sauce
   In a small bowl whisk soy sauce, water, toasted sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, cornstarch, and sesame seeds until smooth. This balance of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors makes the dish unforgettable.
3. Coat the Chicken
   Cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bag. In another small bowl whisk cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper, then add to the bag. Shake until each piece is evenly coated for a light crust.
4. Cook Until Golden Brown
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes, then flip until all sides are golden brown and fully cooked.
5. Add the Sauce
   Reduce heat to medium-low and pour the prepared sauce over the chicken. Toss to coat and simmer for 1–2 minutes until the sauce thickens beautifully.
6. Combine and Serve
   Fold in the steamed broccoli or toss everything together in a large bowl. Sprinkle with diced green onions and serve hot. This sesame chicken and broccoli is best enjoyed fresh but also reheats well for meal prep.

Tips for Success

Making honey sesame chicken and broccoli is simple, but a few small steps can take your sesame chicken stir fry from good to unforgettable. This chicken recipe relies on fresh ingredients, the right cooking technique, and a perfectly balanced honey sesame sauce to deliver that golden brown, flavorful finish.

• Cut Chicken Evenly: Slice boneless skinless chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly in the large skillet.
• Use Medium High Heat: Searing chicken in olive oil over medium high heat creates a crisp golden crust without overcooking the inside.
• Steam Broccoli Separately: Cooking broccoli florets before adding them to the stir fry keeps them tender-crisp and prevents overcooking in the sauce.
• Whisk Sauce Ingredients Well: In a small bowl whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and other sauce ingredients until smooth to avoid lumps when thickening.
• Add Broccoli at the End: Fold in broccoli just before serving so it stays bright and fresh against the rich honey sesame sauce.

Follow these tips, and your sesame chicken and broccoli will be flavorful, perfectly cooked, and ideal for both dinner and meal prep.

Equipment Needed for Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli

To make this honey sesame chicken and broccoli with ease, you only need a few essential kitchen tools. Each plays a role in ensuring your sesame chicken stir fry cooks evenly, the broccoli florets stay crisp, and the honey sesame sauce turns out perfectly thick and glossy.

• Large Skillet or Wok: Ideal for cooking boneless skinless chicken breasts over medium high heat to a golden brown while leaving enough space to toss in broccoli and sauce.
• Small Saucepan or Steamer Basket: For steaming broccoli florets until tender-crisp before combining with the chicken recipe.
• Mixing Bowls: Use a small bowl whisk to blend sauce ingredients like sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil until smooth.
• Tongs or Spatula: Helpful for turning chicken pieces evenly in the skillet and tossing the sesame chicken and broccoli together in the honey sesame sauce.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensure the right balance of sauce ingredients, from honey to sesame seeds.
• Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For cutting chicken into bite-sized pieces and prepping vegetables quickly and safely.

With this basic setup, you’ll be ready to cook a delicious honey sesame chicken stir fry perfect for dinner or meal prep.

Variations of Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli

This honey sesame chicken and broccoli is a versatile chicken recipe that can be customized to suit different tastes, dietary needs, or ingredients you have on hand. Whether you swap proteins or adjust the honey sesame sauce, these variations keep the dish fresh and exciting while maintaining that sesame chicken stir fry comfort.

• Spicy Sesame Chicken: Add a teaspoon of chili flakes or sriracha to the sauce ingredients when whisking in a small bowl for a fiery twist.
• Vegetarian Version: Replace boneless skinless chicken breasts with firm tofu or tempeh, searing in olive oil over medium high heat until golden brown before adding the honey sesame sauce.
• Extra Veggie Boost: Include sliced bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots along with the broccoli florets for more color and texture in your sesame chicken and broccoli.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap sodium soy sauce for tamari and use cornstarch instead of flour when coating bite-sized pieces of chicken.
• Low-Sugar Sauce: Reduce honey in the honey sesame sauce by half and add a splash of orange juice for natural sweetness.

With a large skillet, some creativity, and toasted sesame oil, you can adapt this chicken recipe into multiple delicious meals perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.

5 FAQs About Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs work well in this chicken recipe and stay juicy when cooked over medium high heat in a large skillet.

2. How do I keep broccoli florets bright green?
Steam them briefly, then rinse with cold water to stop cooking before adding to the sesame chicken stir fry.

3. Can I make the honey sesame sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely. In a small bowl whisk all sauce ingredients—sodium soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, toasted sesame oil—and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

4. How do I reheat for meal prep?
Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of water or olive oil to keep the chicken golden brown and the sauce smooth.

5. Can I make it spicier?
Yes, add chili flakes or sriracha to the honey sesame sauce for a spicy twist without losing the sweet-savory balance.

Final Thoughts

Honey sesame chicken and broccoli is a flavorful, quick-to-make chicken recipe that blends golden brown chicken, crisp broccoli florets, and a perfectly balanced honey sesame sauce made with toasted sesame oil, sodium soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Whether you prepare it in a large skillet for a weeknight dinner or as part of your meal prep, this sesame chicken stir fry offers a sweet-savory taste that’s always satisfying. With simple sauce ingredients whisked in a small bowl and tender bite-sized pieces of boneless skinless chicken breasts, it’s a dish worth making again and again. Learn more about sesame chicken and its origins here.

More Bibodo Recipes to Try Honey Sesame Chicken and Broccoli

If you love the rich, savory flavors of this sesame chicken stir fry made in a large skillet with toasted sesame oil and a balanced honey sesame sauce, here are five more Bibodo recipes worth exploring—each bringing its own unique twist on easy, flavorful cooking:

• Try the soothing Lemon Balm Recipe for a more traditional lemon balm tea alternative that highlights similar relaxation and digestive benefits.
• Sip on the Pink Salt Recipe for Weight Loss, which pairs well with the benefits of lemon and supports hydration and blood sugar balance.
• Enjoy a refreshing variation with our Japanese Pink Salt Recipe, crafted to gently assist weight loss goals while offering mineral-rich support.
• Need another light, feel-good beverage? The Pink Salt Trick Recipe for Weight Loss offers a unique blend of ingredients that align with natural wellness routines