Clover Honey Sesame Chicken

Crispy, saucy, and packed with flavor — this Honey Sesame Chicken is everything you love about your favorite takeout, made right at home. Made with Honey House Clover Honey, you get a pure, natural sweetness that pairs beautifully with savory soy sauce and toasted sesame. It's the kind of weeknight dinner that feels a little special every single time.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It's better than takeout – Crispy golden chicken coated in a glossy, sweet-savory sauce that you made yourself? Yes, please.
Naturally sweetened – Honey House Clover Honey replaces refined sugar for a cleaner, more nuanced sweetness in every bite.
Ready in about 30 minutes – Fast enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for guests.
Family-friendly – Crowd-pleasing flavors and totally customizable to suit any table.
Simple pantry ingredients – No specialty items required; this comes together with ingredients you likely already have on hand.
Incredible texture – Lightly battered, pan-fried chicken stays crispy even after being tossed in the sauce.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 eggs, beaten
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
Oil for frying

For the Honey Sesame Sauce

1 tsp vegetable oil
1 tsp minced fresh garlic
1/4 cup Honey House Clover Honey
1/4 cup soy sauce (reduced sodium if possible)
2 tbsp ketchup
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
2 tsp cornstarch

For Garnish

2 tbsp sesame seeds
2 tbsp sliced green onions
Cooked white or brown rice, for serving

Equipment

Large skillet or wok
Mixing bowls (2)
Tongs
Whisk
Cutting board and sharp knife
Measuring cups and spoons

Pro Tips

Dry Your Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels before coating — this helps the batter adhere and gives you that satisfying crispy exterior.
Don't Crowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if needed. Overcrowding causes steaming instead of crisping, and nobody wants soggy chicken.
Use Raw Honey: Our Honey House Clover Honey is 100% raw and unfiltered — its natural floral sweetness is what makes this sauce so special.
Make the Sauce Ahead: The honey sesame sauce can be whisked together up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the fridge, making dinner come together even faster.
Control the Glaze: Add the cornstarch slurry gradually and stir constantly — this keeps the sauce silky and glossy rather than gummy.

Instructions

Prepare the egg mixture: Place the beaten eggs in a bowl with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine.
Prepare the coating: In a shallow bowl or plate, stir together the flour and 1/2 cup cornstarch.
Coat the chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then into the flour mixture. Repeat with all the chicken pieces.
Heat the oil: In a deep pan, heat 3 inches of oil to 350°F (175°C).
Fry the chicken: Add 7–8 pieces of chicken to the pan at a time. Cook for 5 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Drain on paper towels.
Make the sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine the Honey House Clover Honey, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and 2 tsp cornstarch in a bowl. Whisk until smooth.
Cook the sauce: Heat 1 tsp of vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in the honey sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3–4 minutes or until just thickened.
Toss and serve: Add the crispy chicken to the pan and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve immediately over steamed rice and enjoy!

Storage Tips

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat to help restore some of the crispiness.
Freezer: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make-Ahead: The sauce can be made up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated. Cook and coat the chicken fresh for best texture results.
Reheating Note: Avoid the microwave if possible — a quick toss in a hot skillet keeps the chicken from going rubbery.

Recipe Notes

The magic of this dish is in the balance — savory soy sauce and tangy rice vinegar create a deeply flavorful base, while Honey House Clover Honey brings a clean, floral sweetness that ties it all together. The sesame oil adds a rich, nutty finish that makes every bite feel complete.

Using Honey House Clover Honey here isn't just a swap — it's an upgrade. Our honey is 100% pure, raw, and American-sourced, meaning you're getting all the natural enzymes, antioxidants, and delicate sweetness exactly as nature intended. It coats the chicken beautifully and creates that gorgeous, glossy glaze you want in a dish like this. Once you taste the difference real honey makes, you won't go back.

Perfect Pairings

This dish is wonderfully versatile and pairs beautifully with so many sides and drinks. Try serving it with:

Steamed jasmine or brown rice to soak up that incredible sauce
Stir-fried broccoli or snap peas for a complete, colorful meal
A crisp cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing to balance the richness
Sparkling water with fresh ginger and lime for a refreshing non-alcoholic pairing
Hot green tea or a light lager for a more relaxed dinner vibe

Variation Ideas

While the classic honey sesame combination is absolutely divine, feel free to get creative with these alternative options:

Honey House Recommendations

Sweet heat version: Swap in Honey House Hot Honey for a bold sweet-and-spicy kick that takes this dish to a whole new level.
Deeper, earthier sauce: Use Honey House Alfalfa Honey in place of clover for a slightly more robust, buttery-sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the sesame and soy.

Other Great Options

Gluten-free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour and use tamari instead of soy sauce.
Air fryer version: Air fry the coated chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway, for a lighter option with less oil.
Extra spicy: Add 1–2 tsp of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the sauce mixture for a fiery twist.
Vegetarian swap: Use extra-firm tofu cut into cubes in place of chicken — press it well and follow the same coating and cooking method.
Add veggies: Toss in broccoli florets, bell peppers, or snap peas during the last 2 minutes of cooking for a one-pan meal.
Citrus twist: Add a squeeze of fresh orange juice and a little zest to the sauce for a bright, citrusy variation.