Looking for a quick, healthy dinner that hits all the flavor notes of your favorite takeout—without the guilt? This Healthy Sesame Chicken is packed with protein, low in carbs, and naturally gluten-free. It’s a clean, wholesome version of a classic takeout favorite, made in just 25 minutes!
Tender chicken is coated in a sweet and savory sesame sauce, then served over fluffy rice and crisp green beans for a balanced, satisfying meal.
🥢 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy & satisfying – No deep frying here! Just wholesome ingredients with bold flavor.
- Quick & easy – Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Better than takeout – No mystery ingredients or greasy mess—just clean, tasty food.
- Versatile – Swap the veggies, use cauliflower rice, or make it paleo!
🍗 Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ tbsp avocado oil (or olive oil)
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup coconut aminos (or low-sodium soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil (not regular sesame oil!)
- ½ tsp ground ginger (or 1 tsp fresh grated ginger)
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp lime zest (zest of one lime)
- 1 tbsp lime juice (juice of one lime)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
Optional for Serving:
- 2 cups cooked green beans
- 1 cup cooked white rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice
🔄 Substitutions
- Chicken: Use chicken thighs or tenders if preferred.
- Rice: Try brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice to keep it low-carb or paleo.
- Oil: Olive or coconut oil can replace avocado oil.
- Veggies: Swap green beans for broccoli, snap peas, or stir-fry veggies.
- Sauce subs: Use low sodium soy sauce or Bragg’s aminos in place of coconut aminos.
👩🍳 How to Make Healthy Sesame Chicken
Step 1: Prep ingredients.
Cube the chicken. Cook rice and green beans as desired.
Step 2: Sauté the chicken.
Heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and fully cooked (10–12 minutes). Remove from pan and set aside.
Step 3: Make the sauce.
In a small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients.
Step 4: Cook the sauce.
In the same pan, pour in the sauce and bring to a simmer. Stir constantly and cook for 3–5 minutes until thickened.
Step 5: Combine & serve.
Add the cooked chicken back into the pan and toss to coat. Serve over rice with green beans and garnish with sesame seeds.
🍱 Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
- Freezer: While not tested, it should freeze well for up to 2 months.
❓ FAQs
What’s the difference between sesame chicken and General Tso’s chicken?
Sesame chicken has a sweeter sesame-forward sauce, while General Tso’s is spicier with a chili-based sauce.
Can I make this paleo?
Yes! Use cauliflower rice and maple syrup instead of honey. Also, double-check that your coconut aminos and other condiments are paleo-compliant.
🍽️ More Healthy Takeout-Inspired Recipes
- Healthy Chicken Pad Thai
- Sweet & Sour Chicken
- Shrimp Stir Fry
- Ground Beef Stir Fry
- Instant Pot Orange Chicken
- Healthy Cashew Chicken
- Ginger Garlic Chicken
- Healthy Fried Cauliflower Rice