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    Home » Entrees

    Aug 11, 2008 · Modified: Feb 24, 2023 by Sues · This post may contain affiliate links, uses cookies, and generates income via ads · View privacy policy + disclosure statement linked in footer · 14 Comments

    Healthier Sesame Chicken

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Love takeout food, but hate the way it makes you feel? This recipe for Healthier Sesame Chicken is easy to make at home and lighter than the average American Chinese restaurant takeout!

    Overhead view of a white bowl of sesame chicken and broccoli over rice in a white bowl with chopsticks on a marble surface with a second bowl in the background and recipe title at top.

    (This recipe for Healthier Sesame Chicken was originally posted in August 2008, but was updated with new photos in 2019).

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
    • 🗒 Ingredients
    • 🍗 How to make healthier sesame chicken
    • ⏲️ How to store leftovers
    • 💡 More ways to serve
    • 🥘 Can I use chicken thighs?
    • ❓ Can I use a cornstarch alternative?
    • 🛢️ Can I use a vegetable oil alternative?
    • 🥡 More make-at-home takeout recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Chinese food is one of my (many) weaknesses. There's just nothing better than sitting on the couch and digging into those cartons filled with greasy goodness.

    But I never feel good in the morning. I wake up wondering why I had to eat that last scallion pancake or shovel in that last bite of lo mein.

    I vow I'll never do it again. But then I do. Because it feels worth it in the moment.

    But this? This make-at-home healthier sesame chicken is a lot lighter than the typical deep fried dish. But it's still dripping in delicious sauce and still tastes wonderfully indulgent.

    ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe

    You'll love this recipe for so many reasons! It's such an easy dish to make for a weeknight dinner and much lighter than traditional fried sesame chicken.

    But it's still packed with flavor and it's very likely your whole family will love it and request it over and over.

    You can serve it in so many different ways to suit your family's tastes. I like serving the chicken with rice and broccoli, but you can really serve with any grain and any vegetable.

    🗒 Ingredients

    This dish requires pretty simple ingredients and are easy enough for any home chef to obtain. I'm showing you how to make it with rice and broccoli, but feel free to swap out with another grain or vegetable.

    Here's everything you need (be sure to view the recipe card at the bottom of this post for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions):

    • Brown rice
    • Water
    • Salt and pepper
    • Honey
    • Soy sauce: I use regular soy sauce, but you can use low-sodium if you want
    • Sesame seeds
    • Sesame oil
    • Garlic, minced
    • Large egg whites
    • Cornstarch
    • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    • Vegetable oil (or oil of your choice)
    • Scallions, thinly sliced
    • Broccoli
    • Red pepper flakes: for topping (optional)

    🍗 How to make healthier sesame chicken

    Besides being healthier than the typical versions of restaurant sesame chicken, the other great thing about this homemade chicken is how easy it is to prepare.

    You'll start by cooking your rice. And while that's cooking, you'll make the sesame chicken sauce, which consists of honey, soy sauce, sesame seeds, sesame oil, and garlic.

    Sesame sauce for chicken.

    Then, in a large mixing bowl whisk together the egg whites and cornstarch and toss the chicken in it with salt and black pepper. 

    Cubed chicken in bowl with egg whites and cornstarch.

    Toss until the chicken is well coated in the cornstarch mixture. This will help your pieces of chicken get a fabulous crispy coating.

    Cubed chicken tossed in egg whites and cornstarch in bowl.

    Heat vegetable oil heat in a large skillet and add chicken pieces. Cook it for about 8 minutes, until it's nice and golden brown. Add in the sauce and green onions and toss the chicken to coat in the sauce.

    Cooked chicken in skillet with sauce and scallions.

    In the meantime, you'll want to cook your broccoli. I simply like to put mine in boiling water for a couple minutes as I love it nice and crispy.

    And just like that, you're ready to put everything together and dig in. Make sure if you have any extra sauce, you drizzle it over the chicken. Also, top with red pepper flakes if you like a little kick.

    Lighter sesame chicken in a bowl with rice and broccoli with second bowl in background.

    I was thrilled with this lighter version of sesame chicken! Yes, it's a lot lighter and healthier than what you get in American Chinese restaurants, but I promise it's just as tasty!

    It doesn't feel heavy and oily like takeout so often does, thanks to the fact that there's no deep frying.

    And the sauce is SO good with fabulous sesame flavor! There's really nothing better than eating up that rice with extra sauce.

    ⏲️ How to store leftovers

    This recipe makes enough to serve 4, but if you have leftovers, they're easy to store! Just keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. When stored properly, they should keep fresh for 2-3 days.

    And this healthier sesame chicken makes a great take-to-work lunch!

    💡 More ways to serve

    If you're not a fan of rice and broccoli or if you are looking for more ideas to switch things up, here are some other rice and grains that would be delicious with sesame chicken:

    • Quinoa
    • Cauliflower rice
    • Green pepper and red peppers
    • Zucchini
    • Sugar snap peas
    • Green beans
    • Stir fry veggie mix
    • Cashews

    If you want even more flavor in the dish, you can add sambal oelek, spicy peppers, or fresh ginger. You can also drizzle on a little soy sauce at the end if you want.

    Landscape view of a bowl of healthier sesame chicken with broccoli and brown rice with chopsticks.

    🥘 Can I use chicken thighs?

    You can! Chicken breasts are a bit healthier than chicken thighs, but you can easily replace the breasts with thighs in this dish.

    ❓ Can I use a cornstarch alternative?

    Of course! If you're not a fan of cornstarch, you can use arrowroot powder, tapioca flour, xanthan gum, or rice flour.

    🛢️ Can I use a vegetable oil alternative?

    If you don't want to use canola oil or another vegetable oil for cooking your chicken, you can definitely use a different oil. Coconut oil, peanut oil, avocado oil, and olive oil will all work well.

    🥡 More make-at-home takeout recipes

    Here are some more of my favorite recipes that make for great takeout, but are also super easy to make at home... Often in healthier, lighter ways!

    • Thai Beef Basil with Coconut Rice
    • Bacon Cheeseburger Salad
    • BBQ Chicken Pizza
    • Chicken Avocado Burritos
    • Vegetable Fried Brown Rice
    • Chicken Pad Thai
    • Corn Tortilla Quesadillas
    Overhead view of a white bowl of sesame chicken and broccoli over rice in a white bowl with chopsticks on a marble surface with a second bowl in the background.

    I hope you enjoy this delicious, healthier take on sesame chicken. It's become a staple in my house for when I need a quick, light, and delicious weeknight meal!

    Add it to your easy recipes arsenal to make your busy nights delicious.

    What traditional takeout food do you like to make at home? Do you turn it into a healthier meal?

    📖 Recipe

    Closeup view of a bowl of healthier sesame chicken with brown rice, broccoli, and chopsticks.

    Lighter Sesame Chicken

    Love takeout food, but hate the way it makes you feel? This recipe for Healthier Sesame Chicken is easy to make at home and lighter than the average American Chinese restaurant takeout!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American, Chinese, Eclectic
    Keyword: Chicken, Dinner, Easy
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Makes: 4 servings
    Author: Sues

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup brown rice
    • 2 cups water
    • 1 ¾ tsp salt, divided
    • ¼ cup honey
    • ¼ cup soy sauce
    • 2 Tbsp sesame seeds
    • 1 ½ tsp sesame oil
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 2 large egg whites
    • ¼ cup cornstarch
    • 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch chunks
    • ¼ tsp pepper
    • 1 ½ Tbsp vegetable oil
    • 4 scallions, thinly sliced
    • 1 head broccoli, cut into florets
    • Red pepper flakes, for topping (optional)

    Instructions

    • In a medium saucepan, combine rice, water, and ½ tsp salt. Let mixture come to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cover. Let simmer until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is nice and fluffy, about 15-20 minutes. 
    • In a small bowl, combine honey, soy sauce, sesame seeds, sesame oil and garlic and stir together.
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together egg whites and cornstarch. Add in cubed chicken ¼ tsp salt, and pepper and toss to completely coat chicken.
    • In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium heat and add the chicken. Cook for about 8 minutes, until it’s cooked through and golden.
    • Add the sauce and scallions to the skillet and toss to make sure the chicken is coated with the sauce.
    • While chicken is cooking, heat a large pot of water and remaining tsp salt until boiling. Add broccoli florets to pot and cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender. Drain into a colander. 
    • Serve chicken and broccoli over rice. Make sure to pour on any sauce left in the pan and sprinkle with red pepper flakes, if desired.

    Notes

    • Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart
    Share a Photo of Your Finished Recipe!Mention @wearenotmartha and share a photo if you've made the recipe!

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. transienttravels says

      August 11, 2008 at 8:15 pm

      This post is bookmarked so that I can make this- it looks awesome. I always want to find ways to make Chinese food healthy and it always ends up being so boring.

    2. Sara says

      August 11, 2008 at 8:35 pm

      first falafel, now scallion pancakes. we can do it!

      that chicken looks fabulous. i think i may give it a shot!

    3. Poonam says

      August 12, 2008 at 5:20 am

      You are right! Perfect time to eat chinese food. Looks nice!

    4. Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer says

      August 12, 2008 at 7:59 am

      What a great post - I love this lighter version - I make chinese at home but am always looking for ways to lighten it up. Of course your timing could not be better!!

    5. TKTC says

      August 12, 2008 at 8:29 am

      I have a PB&J for lunch. And now I don't think that's going to cut it.

    6. Pam says

      August 12, 2008 at 8:53 am

      This looks delicious and fairly easy to make. For some reason Chinese food has always intimidated me... this recipe makes me think I can do it. Thanks!

    7. Katelin says

      August 12, 2008 at 12:13 pm

      this looks so tasty. i definitely want to try and make it.

    8. Raquelle says

      August 12, 2008 at 6:40 pm

      This looks really good. I'm definitely going to make this.

      Scallion pancakes! Yes! I love those.

    9. Kevin says

      August 15, 2008 at 3:49 am

      That sesame chicken looks really good.

    10. Raquelle says

      August 24, 2008 at 10:57 am

      I made the sesame chicken and it was delicious. I added peapods to the broccoli and only dredged the chicken in flour to make it easier. It was yummy!

      I get so many meal ideas from your blog. It's awesome.

    11. Corald says

      March 03, 2009 at 9:40 am

      This is a fantastic recipe - made two different sauces one with hot red pepper flakes and regular for the other two in the house - fabulous!!! Thanks so much!

    12. Julie says

      January 17, 2010 at 8:07 pm

      I've made this one a few times now and it is better every time! I also add some red pepper flakes to mine and it's spectacular!

    13. Hae says

      February 16, 2012 at 11:00 pm

      currently stuffing my face with the sesame chicken while I type this. Took your advice, made more sauce and put a little bit of hot sauce because I enjoy not being able to feel my tongue. Deliciousness!

    Trackbacks

    1. Chinese Food + Good News = Great Day! « The Process of Healing says:
      January 14, 2010 at 8:44 pm

      [...] “fast food” theme, I made Lighter Sesame Chicken from We Are Not Martha (recipe can be found here). This is one of my favorite Chinese dishes but I rarely, if ever, eat it anymore because of how it [...]

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