Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 25 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Healthier Alternative: This recipe uses stovetop cooking instead of frying, reducing fat and calorie content.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with wholesome, easily accessible ingredients.
- Diet-Friendly: Low in carbs and gluten-free, suitable for various dietary preferences.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Ground ginger
- Lime zest and juice
- Black pepper
- Rice vinegar
- Honey
- Toasted sesame oil
- Coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce)
- Sesame seeds
- Avocado oil (or olive oil) for cooking
- Cooked white rice and steamed green beans for serving
Directions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together minced garlic, ground ginger, lime zest, lime juice, black pepper, rice vinegar, honey, toasted sesame oil, and coconut aminos to create the marinade.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat avocado oil in a pan over medium heat. Add diced chicken breasts and sauté until browned on all sides, approximately 10-12 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Thicken the Sauce: Pour the prepared sauce into the same pan and cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until it starts to bubble and thicken, stirring consistently to prevent burning.
- Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the pan, tossing to coat evenly with the sauce. Serve hot over cooked white rice and steamed green beans, garnished with sesame seeds.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields 2 servings.
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Protein Alternatives: Substitute chicken breasts with boneless chicken thighs or chicken tenders for a different texture.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace chicken with firm tofu or tempeh for a plant-based version.
- Different Grains: Serve over quinoa, brown rice, or cauliflower rice to suit your dietary needs.
- Additional Vegetables: Incorporate broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas for added nutrition and color.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover sesame chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a pan over medium heat until warmed through, or microwave on medium power, stirring occasionally.
- Freezing: While not tested, this dish can likely be frozen. Allow to cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
FAQs
What makes this sesame chicken healthier than takeout?
This recipe uses stovetop cooking instead of deep-frying, reducing fat content. It also incorporates wholesome ingredients and limits added sugars and sodium, making it a healthier alternative to traditional takeout versions.
Can I use a different sweetener instead of honey?
Yes, you can substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar to suit your taste preferences or dietary needs.
Is toasted sesame oil essential for this recipe?
Toasted sesame oil provides a distinct, rich sesame flavor that is central to this dish. Regular sesame oil lacks the same depth of flavor, so it’s recommended to use toasted sesame oil for the best results.
Can I make this dish paleo-friendly?
To make this recipe paleo-friendly, serve the sesame chicken over cauliflower rice instead of white rice. Ensure that all sauce ingredients comply with paleo guidelines.
How can I add more spice to this recipe?
To add heat, incorporate crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha into the sauce. Adjust the amount to achieve your desired level of spiciness.
What are coconut aminos, and can I substitute them?
Coconut aminos are a soy-free, gluten-free alternative to soy sauce, made from the fermented sap of coconut palms. If unavailable, you can substitute with low-sodium soy sauce or tamari.
How do I prevent the sauce from burning while thickening?
Cook the sauce over medium heat, stirring consistently, and watch closely as it thickens. Reducing the heat if it starts to bubble too vigorously can help prevent burning.
Can I prepare the sauce in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a good stir before using, as ingredients may settle.
What other vegetables pair well with sesame chicken?
Broccoli, bell peppers, snap peas, and carrots are excellent choices to pair with sesame chicken, adding both nutrition and color to the dish.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prepping?
Absolutely! This sesame chicken stores well and can be reheated easily, making it a great option for meal prepping lunches or dinners for the week.
Healthy Sesame Chicken
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Healthy Sesame Chicken is a quick and nutritious alternative to takeout. Packed with protein and bold flavors, this gluten-free, low-carb recipe is ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it features tender chicken coated in a savory sesame sauce served over rice and green beans.
Healthy Sesame Chicken is a quick and nutritious alternative to takeout. Packed with protein and bold flavors, this gluten-free, low-carb recipe is ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, it features tender chicken coated in a savory sesame sauce served over rice and green beans.
Ingredients
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Seasonings: Garlic cloves (minced), ground ginger, black pepper, lime zest, and juice
- Sauce Components: Rice vinegar, honey, toasted sesame oil, coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce)
- For Cooking: Avocado oil (or olive oil)
- Garnish: Sesame seeds
- Optional Sides: Cooked white rice and steamed green beans
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: Whisk together garlic, ginger, lime zest, lime juice, black pepper, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and coconut aminos.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté diced chicken for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Set aside.
- Thicken the Sauce: Pour sauce into the pan and cook on medium heat for 3-5 minutes until thickened, stirring consistently.
- Combine & Serve: Add cooked chicken back to the pan, toss to coat, and serve over rice and green beans, garnished with sesame seeds.
Notes
- For extra spice, add crushed red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce.
- Substitute tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian option.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
