13 Sticky Sesame Chicken Recipes

I still remember the first time I tasted sticky sesame chicken as a kid—it was during a family trip to our favorite Chinese restaurant, where the glossy, sauce-coated nuggets were the star of the table. That sweet-savory glaze clinging to crispy chicken bits became my ultimate comfort food, evoking rainy evenings huddled around takeout boxes with laughter and chopsticks clinking. Fast forward to now, and I’ve been on a mission in my home kitchen to recreate and elevate that magic, experimenting with air fryers, slow cookers, and healthier twists to make it weeknight-friendly without sacrificing flavor.

Lately, I’ve been playing around with sticky sesame chicken recipes during my “lazy gourmet” Sundays, tweaking the classic sauce with honey, chili, and even cauliflower for veggie-forward versions. In a world obsessed with quick meals that don’t skimp on taste, these recipes shine—they’re sticky, glossy perfection that’s better than delivery and customizable for any diet. Whether you’re craving nostalgia or innovation, these 13 variations will have you licking your fingers clean.

Classic Sticky Sesame Chicken

This timeless version captures the essence of takeout with tender chicken thighs coated in a glossy sesame-soy glaze. Ingredients: 1 lb boneless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces), 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 garlic cloves (minced), 1 tbsp cornstarch, sesame seeds and green onions for garnish.
Start by whisking soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, vinegar, garlic, and cornstarch in a bowl for the sauce. Toss chicken in cornstarch, then pan-fry in oil until golden (5-7 minutes). Pour sauce over chicken, simmer 3-5 minutes until sticky and thickened. Benefits: Ready in under 30 minutes, packed with umami, and a crowd-pleaser for family dinners.

Air Fryer Sticky Sesame Chicken

Crispy without the oil splatter—perfect for guilt-free indulgence. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast (cubed), 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp ginger (grated), 2 tsp sesame seeds, cornstarch for coating.
Coat chicken in cornstarch and air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway. Meanwhile, boil sauce ingredients until syrupy. Toss fried chicken in sauce and air fry 2 more minutes. Benefits: Healthier with less oil, quick cleanup, and even crispier texture than deep-frying.

Slow Cooker Sticky Sesame Chicken

Set-it-and-forget-it for tender, fall-apart chicken. Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken thighs, 1/2 cup honey, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tbsp cornstarch slurry.
Place chicken and all sauce ingredients (except slurry) in slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours. Shred chicken, stir in slurry to thicken. Benefits: Effortless meal prep, ideal for busy days, and infuses deep flavors while keeping chicken juicy.

Baked Sticky Sesame Chicken

Oven magic for hands-off crispiness. Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken tenders, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp hoisin, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp chili flakes, sesame seeds.
Marinate chicken in sauce for 30 minutes, then bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, basting halfway. Broil 2 minutes for extra stickiness. Benefits: Lower fat than frying, great for batch cooking, and naturally gluten-reduced with tamari swap.

Spicy Sticky Sesame Chicken

Heat lovers rejoice with a fiery kick. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken (diced), 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp sriracha, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 3 garlic cloves, cornstarch.
Fry chicken until crispy, then simmer with sauce boosted by sriracha and ginger for 4 minutes until sticky. Benefits: Metabolism-boosting spice, customizable heat, and adds excitement to routine meals.

Honey Garlic Sticky Sesame Chicken

Extra sweet and garlicky for ultimate addiction. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken thighs, 1/3 cup honey, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 5 garlic cloves (minced), 2 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar.
Sear chicken, add sauce, and reduce to sticky glaze over medium heat (10 minutes). Benefits: Immune-boosting garlic, natural sweetness from honey, and kid-approved flavor profile.

Gluten-Free Sticky Sesame Chicken

Tamari twist for sensitive tummies. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken, 1/4 cup gluten-free tamari, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp tapioca starch, green onions.
Dredge chicken in starch, bake or fry, then coat with boiled sauce. Benefits: Safe for celiac diets, equally sticky and flavorful, promotes inclusive family cooking.

Keto Sticky Sesame Chicken

Low-carb heaven with cauliflower rice. Ingredients: 1.5 lbs chicken, 1/4 cup coconut aminos, 2 tbsp erythritol, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tsp xanthan gum for thickening.
Pan-fry chicken, whisk and simmer sauce (keto sweeteners), thicken and toss. Benefits: High-protein, sugar-free, fits keto macros while satisfying cravings.

Instant Pot Sticky Sesame Chicken

Pressure cooker speed for busy nights. Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken breasts, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp sesame oil, 1 cup chicken broth, cornstarch.
Sauté chicken, add sauce and broth, pressure cook 10 minutes, quick release and thicken. Benefits: One-pot wonder, tender results in 20 minutes total, minimal dishes.

Crispy Oven-Baked Sticky Sesame Chicken Wings

Wing it with crunch! Ingredients: 2 lbs chicken wings, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tbsp sesame oil, baking powder for crispiness.
Toss wings in baking powder, bake 45 minutes at 400°F flipping halfway, then glaze and broil. Benefits: Party-perfect finger food, oven-fried crunch without oil.

Sticky Sesame Chicken with Broccoli

Veggie-packed one-pan meal. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken, 4 cups broccoli florets, 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp honey, sesame oil, garlic.
Stir-fry chicken and broccoli, add sauce, simmer until sticky. Benefits: Nutrient-dense with fiber, balanced meal, great for weight management.

Teriyaki Sticky Sesame Chicken Fusion

Japanese-Chinese mashup delight. Ingredients: 1 lb chicken, 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp sesame oil, pineapple chunks, ginger.
Grill or pan-sear chicken, glaze with fused sauce including pineapple juice. Benefits: Tropical twist adds vitamins, fusion flavors excite palates.

Vegan Sticky Sesame Cauliflower

Plant-based sticky bliss. Ingredients: 1 large cauliflower (florets), 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup agave, 2 tbsp sesame oil, cornstarch batter.
Batter and bake cauliflower at 450°F for 25 minutes, toss in vegan sauce reduced to stickiness. Benefits: Meat-free protein alternative, antioxidant-rich, appeals to all diets.

These 13 sticky sesame chicken recipes prove you can have takeout-level deliciousness at home, tailored to your mood, diet, or time crunch—grab your apron and dive in for sticky-fingered happiness tonight!