Sweet, spicy, and irresistibly sticky—this Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe is one of those dishes that instantly lifts your meal game. Its perfect balance of flavors and quick prep make it a staple I turn to whenever I want something tasty without a fuss.

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

I’ve always been drawn to flavor-packed dishes that don’t demand hours in the kitchen, and this Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe delivers just that. It’s a tasty blend of sweet honey and the kick of sriracha, perfectly mellowed with toasted sesame oil.

Quick and Easy: You’ll have dinner ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute guests.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of honey’s sweetness, sriracha's heat, and nutty sesame oil keeps your taste buds happy.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of these in your pantry already, making it super accessible.
Versatile: It works great served over rice, noodles, or even tossed into a salad for a fresh twist.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe relies on a handful of ingredients that come together beautifully. Each one plays a key role in building that rich combination of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors while keeping the chicken tender and crispy.

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: Boneless and skinless, they cook quickly and absorb flavors well when cut into bite-sized pieces.
Kosher salt and black pepper: Simple seasonings to enhance the natural flavor.
Cornstarch: This coats the chicken to give it a lovely crisp texture once cooked.
Avocado or olive oil: For frying the chicken, these oils handle the heat without smoking.
Low sodium chicken broth: Adds depth without overpowering the sauce’s delicate balance.
Low sodium tamari or soy sauce: Provides umami and saltiness essential for balance.
Ketchup: Adds a subtle tang and body to the sauce.
Honey: The star ingredient for sweetness and that glossy finish.
Rice wine vinegar: Brings brightness to cut through the richness.
Toasted sesame oil: Infuses the dish with a warm, nutty aroma.
Sriracha: Gives that signature spicy kick; adjust according to your heat preference.
Garlic powder: Adds a mild garlic undertone without overpowering.
Sesame seeds: For crunch and that classic sesame finish.

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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 playing around with this Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe to suit my mood or what’s in my fridge. Don’t hesitate to tweak the spice level or swap out ingredients to make it yours.

Variation: Sometimes I stir in chopped green onions or fresh cilantro for a herbal lift; you might like adding toasted chopped peanuts for extra crunch.
Heat Level: If you really like it fiery, adding extra sriracha or a pinch of cayenne is the way to go.
Vegetarian Swap: Use firm tofu instead of chicken, pressing it first and letting it crisp up in the pan.
Seasonal Twist: Toss in roasted red peppers or steamed broccoli for a colorful, nutrient boost.

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: Prep the Chicken with a Crisp Coating

Start by cutting your chicken into 1-inch pieces—it’s perfect bite size and cooks evenly. Toss these pieces with kosher salt, black pepper, and cornstarch using a fork or your hands until each piece is evenly coated. This step is key because that cornstarch layer crisps up beautifully in the pan, giving you a nice texture contrast to the saucy finish.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Honey Sriracha Sauce

In a bowl or glass measuring cup, mix the sauce ingredients: chicken broth, tamari or soy sauce, ketchup, honey, rice wine vinegar, toasted sesame oil, sriracha, garlic powder, and cornstarch. Whisk it well so the cornstarch dissolves completely; this way, it thickens nicely once heated.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken Until Golden and Tender

Heat the avocado or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Don’t stir immediately; give them a few minutes to develop a golden crust on one side. Then toss or flip to brown all sides. The chicken should be cooked through—about 5 to 7 minutes total.

Step 4: Pour in the Sauce and Let It Thicken

Pour your mixed sauce right over the cooked chicken. Stir everything together and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until the sauce thickens up and clings to the chicken beautifully. Remove from heat and sprinkle sesame seeds on top for that classic touch.

Top Tip

I’ve made this recipe a bunch of times, and these tips really helped me nail it consistently. Trust me, they’ll save you time and keep the flavors on point.

Dry Chicken Well: Pat chicken pieces dry before adding salt and cornstarch to help them crisp up nicely instead of steaming.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking the chicken in batches if needed ensures a golden crust rather than soggy pieces.
Mix Sauce Thoroughly: Stir until the cornstarch is fully dissolved before adding to the pan, avoiding lumps and uneven sauce.
Adjust Sweetness and Heat Last: Taste the sauce towards the end so you can tweak the honey or sriracha to fit your mood perfectly.

How to Serve Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe

Honey Sriracha Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top mine with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and a handful of thinly sliced green onions. I love how the sesame seeds add texture while the green onions bring a fresh, slightly sharp contrast that brightens the dish.

Side Dishes

Classic steamed jasmine or basmati rice pairs perfectly to soak up that sticky sauce. Sometimes I serve it with sautéed bok choy or a light cucumber salad to balance the richness and heat.

Creative Ways to Present

For special family dinners, I’ve served the chicken over coconut rice topped with crushed peanuts and fresh cilantro—it’s always a hit. You can also make lettuce wraps with this chicken for a fun hand-held option that’s light and flavorful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and flavorful for about 3 to 4 days, which makes it perfect for quick lunches or easy dinners during the week.

Freezing

Freezing works great too! I freeze in portioned containers without the sesame seeds (add fresh ones later). Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat for best texture. The sauce reheats beautifully without losing that sticky glaze. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works but watch it carefully to avoid drying out the chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a great alternative. They stay juicy and add extra flavor. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking and watch for a slightly shorter cook time as thighs tend to cook faster.

How can I make this recipe less spicy?

To tone down the heat, simply reduce the amount of sriracha or substitute it with a milder chili sauce. You can also add a touch more honey to balance out the spiciness to your liking.

Is it okay to substitute soy sauce with tamari?

Yes! Tamari is a great gluten-free alternative to soy sauce and works perfectly in this recipe. It provides similar umami flavor and saltiness without gluten. Just keep the amount the same or adjust to taste.

Can I make this recipe vegan or vegetarian?

Definitely! Replace the chicken with firm tofu or your favorite plant-based protein. Be sure to press the tofu to remove excess water, then toss it with cornstarch and pan-fry until crispy before adding the sauce.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Sriracha Sesame Chicken Recipe is one of my go-to dishes because it’s full of flavor but never overwhelming or complicated. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, family, or friends, it’s a crowd-pleaser that feels special yet comes together quickly. Next time you want easy comfort food with a little kick, give this recipe a try—I’m sure it’ll find a special place in your rotation, just like it has in mine.