There’s something so satisfying about a dish that balances crispy textures with a flavorful, tangy sauce—this Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe nails that perfectly. It’s surprisingly easy to make, and you’ll love how wholesome and fresh it tastes without skimping on any of the classic takeout vibes.

This image shows a white plate with one main layer of white rice covering the bottom. On top of the rice, there are pieces of golden-brown chicken coated in a shiny, dark orange-brown sauce, sprinkled with white sesame seeds. On the left side of the plate, bright green snow peas lay beside the chicken and rice. A pair of wooden chopsticks held by a woman's hand picks up one piece of chicken from the center of the plate. The background is a white marbled surface. 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 Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve whipped up this Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe so many times when I wanted a nutritious dinner that doesn’t feel like a compromise. From busy weeknights to casual weekend meals, it hits just right every time.

Balanced Flavor: The sauce strikes a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory, making it irresistible.
Gluten-Free & Paleo-Friendly: It uses tamari and natural sweeteners, so it fits clean-eating lifestyles without losing flavor.
Easy to Customize: You can easily swap chicken cuts or tweak spice levels to suit your taste.
Quick & Practical: Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s perfect for those nights when you want something wholesome, fast.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe combines familiar healthy ingredients that play off each other beautifully—tender chicken coated in a light, crisp layer from the cornstarch, paired with a luscious, naturally sweet and savory sauce. Here are some tips on the stars of the dish.

Flat lay of diced raw boneless skinless chicken breast cubes, a small white ceramic bowl of white cornstarch powder, a small white ceramic bowl filled with dark gluten-free tamari sauce, a small white ceramic bowl with golden avocado oil, a small white ceramic bowl of clear water, a small white ceramic bowl of amber pure maple syrup, a small white ceramic bowl containing light rice vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl with dark toasted sesame oil, a small pile of finely minced fresh garlic clove, a small pile of minced fresh ginger root, a pinch of red pepper flakes on a small white ceramic dish, and a small white ceramic bowl of white sesame seeds, all neatly arranged with perfect symmetry, 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

Boneless chicken breast or thighs: I like thighs for juiciness, but breasts keep it lean—both soak up the sauce well.
Cornstarch (or arrowroot): It crisps the chicken and thickens the sauce, giving great texture without heaviness.
Gluten-free tamari: Perfect salty umami with no gluten, but coconut aminos work beautifully if you prefer a soy-free option.
Avocado oil: High smoke point means crisp chicken without burning or extra grease.
Pure maple syrup or honey: Natural sweeteners that balance the tangy and salty notes while keeping the dish clean.
Rice vinegar: Adds brightness and tang to cut through the richness.
Toasted sesame oil: A little goes a long way—it brings that distinctly nutty aroma everyone loves.
Fresh garlic and ginger: For that punch of flavor and warmth, fresher is definitely better here.
Red pepper flakes (optional): For just a hint of heat, I like to add a pinch to wake up the sauce.
Sesame seeds: The finishing touch that adds crunch and visual appeal.

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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

This recipe feels like a great blank canvas to me. I’ve often tinkered with it depending on what’s in my fridge or what my family’s craving—sometimes sweeter, sometimes with a little extra heat. Feel free to make this Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe truly yours!

Variation: I swapped in cauliflower rice and steamed snap peas for a total Paleo-friendly bowl that’s wonderfully light and filling.
Spice it up: Adding fresh chili instead of flakes gave the sauce a fresh heat that my friends went nuts for.
Protein swap: Turkey breast works well if you want an alternative to chicken, just watch the cooking times carefully.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe

A white round plate sits on a white marbled surface with three layers: steamed white rice forming the bottom layer covering half the plate, glossy brown glazed chicken pieces sprinkled with white sesame seeds placed on top of the rice in the center, and fresh bright green snow peas arranged neatly on the left side of the plate. A woman's hand with red nail polish holds a pair of wooden chopsticks picking up one piece of the chicken. In the background, a white cloth is softly draped. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Coat the Chicken for Crispy Perfection

Start by tossing your diced chicken pieces in cornstarch and tamari. It might look a bit sticky at first, but that’s just the magic coating that crisps up beautifully in the pan. Using a fork to toss everything evenly helps avoid clumps, making sure each bite gets that lovely texture.

Step 2: Sear Chicken in Batches

Heat your avocado oil in a large skillet until shimmering but not smoking. Spread the chicken pieces out so they’re not crowded—this step is crucial to get a nice sear, which means crispy edges and juicy centers. Cook about 3-4 minutes on the first side and 1-3 minutes after flipping. If pieces stick, give them a little more time—they’ll release once seared properly.

Step 3: Whip Up the Sauce While the Chicken Cooks

While your chicken is sizzling away, mix together water, tamari, sweetener, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat. This bright, flavorful combo comes together in seconds and sets the foundation for that signature sesame chicken taste.

Step 4: Thicken the Sauce With a Slurry

Mix cornstarch with water to make a smooth slurry, which you’ll stir into the sauce to thicken it beautifully without lumps. Pour the mixture into your pan on medium-low heat and whisk constantly until the sauce bubbles and thickens enough that you can see the whisk paths—this is your green light to toss the chicken back in.

Step 5: Coat Chicken and Serve Warm

Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir to coat every piece in that glossy, flavorful sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for a little crunch, and you’re ready to serve. I love how the sauce clings to the chicken without being sticky or heavy.

Top Tip

Through making this Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe many times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference between good and great. These tips really help keep the chicken juicy and the sauce perfectly balanced every time.

Don’t overcrowd your pan: Give each chicken piece space so they crisp up nicely instead of steaming.
Use fresh garlic and ginger: Powder just doesn’t give the same brightness and subtle heat.
Whisk the slurry thoroughly: Any lumps here will show up in your sauce, so keep it smooth for the best shine.
Adjust sweetness gradually: I start with less maple syrup and add to taste so it’s never overly sweet.

How to Serve Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe

Healthy Sesame Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often top mine simply with extra toasted sesame seeds because they add crunch and make the dish look restaurant-worthy. Fresh chopped scallions are another favorite—they add color and a sharp oniony note that complements the sauce beautifully.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs brilliantly with steamed jasmine rice or cauliflower rice if you’re keeping it Paleo. A side of sautéed snow peas or roasted broccoli balances the meal with freshness and a bit of crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I like serving the chicken over a bed of spiralized zucchini noodles drizzled with a little extra sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. It turns this quick weeknight meal into something special and colorful that guests love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they keep well for about 3-4 days. Keep in mind the sauce thickens and gels when chilled, but that’s easy to fix.

Freezing

This recipe freezes alright, but I prefer to freeze the chicken and sauce separately if possible. You’ll get better texture that way when reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, just warm leftovers gently in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce up. This keeps the chicken juicy and the sauce silky, avoiding the gluey texture you sometimes get with leftovers.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is this Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe truly gluten-free?

Yes! By using gluten-free tamari (instead of traditional soy sauce) and cornstarch or arrowroot, this recipe avoids gluten while still achieving that classic sesame chicken flavor and texture.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are actually my favorite choice here because they stay juicy and tender, especially under the slightly sweet and savory sauce. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.

How do I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick or gloopy?

The key is to add the cornstarch slurry gradually and stir constantly while cooking the sauce. If the sauce thickens too much when chilling, simply reheat with a splash of water to restore its perfect consistency.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?

While this recipe is designed for chicken, you can swap in firm tofu or crispy cauliflower florets for a vegan twist. Just adjust cooking times and be sure to crisp your veggies or tofu for the best texture before adding the sauce.

Final Thoughts

This Healthy Sesame Chicken Recipe holds a special place in my recipe rotation because it’s just so satisfying and nourishing—without feeling like I’m spending hours in the kitchen. It’s the kind of meal you can make any day of the week and feel good about serving to family or friends. Give it a try—I bet it’ll become one of your go-to meals, too!