Best 2 Healthier Honey Sesame Chicken Recipes

Craving the sweet and savory flavors of honey sesame chicken but watching your health? Look no further! We've scoured the culinary landscape to bring you the ultimate guide to creating a healthier version of this classic Chinese dish. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a healthier take on honey sesame chicken, packed with wholesome ingredients and bursting with flavors. From selecting leaner protein options to using healthier cooking methods, we'll show you how to make this dish a guilt-free indulgence. So, grab your apron, gather your ingredients, and let's embark on a culinary journey towards a healthier honey sesame chicken experience!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

HEALTHIER HONEY-SESAME CHICKEN

Healthier Honey-Sesame Chicken image

This is a 'healthier' version of honey-sesame chicken. It is baked instead of fried and the chicken is not battered, making it healthier. All the flavors are here and the only thing sacrificed are the calories! Serve over rice with additional sauce on the side.

Provided by Yoly

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian

Time 2h30m

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

⅓ cup honey
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 pound chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

Steps:

Mix honey, ketchup, olive oil, sesame seeds, soy sauce, lemon juice, Sriracha sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger in a bowl until well combined. Add chicken pieces and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 6 hours.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Transfer chicken and sauce into an oven-proof dish.
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and turn chicken pieces over. Bake until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 5 to 8 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 507.4 calories, Carbohydrate 40.1 g, Cholesterol 86.1 mg, Fat 24.7 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 33.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.9 g, Sodium 1254.1 mg, Sugar 35.9 g

HEALTHIER PAN-FRIED HONEY-SESAME CHICKEN

Healthier Pan-Fried Honey-Sesame Chicken image

This is a healthier version of honey-sesame chicken that's pan-fried instead of deep-fried--an easy, home-cooked meal that's salty, sweet, and a little bit spicy. It's a combination of flavors so deliciously right that you'll never think about Asian takeout again. Serve over rice or noodles, and garnish with sesame seeds and green onion slices.

Provided by lutzflcat

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian

Time 25m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

½ cup water
⅓ cup low-sodium chicken broth
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup honey
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons Sriracha sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Steps:

Combine water, chicken broth, ketchup, soy sauce, honey, garlic, rice vinegar, Sriracha, sesame oil, ginger root, and red pepper flakes for sauce in a medium bowl.
Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, and stir-fry until chicken is opaque on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
Reduce heat to medium and add the sauce to the wok. Whisk together water and cornstarch in a small bowl and add to the sauce, stirring constantly until the sauce starts to thicken, 3 to 5 minutes. Add chicken back to the wok, stir, and cook until reheated, about 2 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 315.7 calories, Carbohydrate 27.3 g, Cholesterol 64.9 mg, Fat 12.1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 25.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.2 g, Sodium 880.1 mg, Sugar 21.2 g

Tips:

To save time, use pre-cooked chicken. Rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken breasts work well.
Use a food processor to quickly and easily chop the vegetables.
If you don't have honey sesame dressing, you can make your own by whisking together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
Serve the chicken with rice, noodles, or vegetables.

Conclusion:

This healthier honey sesame chicken recipe is a delicious and easy way to enjoy a classic takeout dish at home. With a few simple swaps, you can reduce the fat and calories without sacrificing any of the flavor. So next time you're craving Chinese food, give this recipe a try!