Sticky Honey-Sesame Chicken with Steamed Rice

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A kid-friendly chicken dish glazed in a sweet sticky honey and sesame sauce, served alongside fluffy steamed rice for a quick and satisfying dinner. This asian-inspired kid friendly ready in about 30 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, honey, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup white rice under cold water until clear, then combine with 2 cups water in a medium pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until rice is tender and water absorbed.
  2. Step 2: While rice cooks, cut 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup honey, 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1 tsp grated ginger until combined.
  3. Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the chicken pieces and cook for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through, stirring frequently.
  4. Step 4: Pour the honey-soy sauce mixture over the chicken in the skillet, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken beautifully.
  5. Step 5: Slice 2 green onions thinly and sprinkle over the chicken along with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds before serving alongside the steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sticky Honey-Sesame Chicken with Steamed Rice take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Sticky Honey-Sesame Chicken with Steamed Rice?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep honey from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sticky Honey-Sesame Chicken with Steamed Rice?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Sticky Honey-Sesame Chicken with Steamed Rice for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Sticky Honey-Sesame Chicken with Steamed Rice?

Asian kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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