This healthier version of Honey Sesame Chicken is tender and juicy with a deliciously sticky honey sesame sauce. Serve it over some fresh steamed rice for an easy weeknight meal!
This meal is easy to make in the Crockpot and doesn’t take a full day to cook. Unlike many Chinese takeout recipes, this version isn’t fried, making it a little more calorie-conscious. When I made it, everyone loved it so much we didn’t have any leftovers at all!
SAVE THIS RECIPE FOR CROCKPOT HONEY SESAME CHICKEN TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!
Why You’ll Love this Easy Sesame Chicken
Honey sesame chicken is one of the most popular dishes at Chinese restaurants. The sweet sauce is seriously addicting, and it is great on a bed of rice.
This version is so easy that you can fix it and forget it, making it great for busy weeknights or when you need to feed a crowd.
Having a recipe without fried batter on the chicken makes this better if you’re watching your diet, without sacrificing any of the flavor of this family favorite!
Ingredients for Honey Sesame Chicken
These ingredients are easy to find at your local grocery store, so make a list and gather together the following things:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Soy Sauce
- Honey
- Ketchup
- Sesame Oil
- Grated ginger
- Red pepper flakes
- Minced garlic
- White pepper
- Corn starch
- Water
- White sesame seeds
- Green onions (optional, for garnish)
Be sure to review the recipe card at the end of the post for a detailed list of ingredients and instructions.
How to make Honey Sesame Chicken in the Crockpot
- Place chicken in the bowl of a crock pot. Combine soy sauce, honey, ketchup, sesame oil, ginger, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and white pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Pour over the chicken.
- Set the crock pot to “LOW”. Cook for 2.5 hours or until chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken from the crock pot and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl, add cornstarch and water, then stir to combine. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker. Let it thicken as it cooks for about 10 minutes.
- Turn the temperature to warm, or if yours doesn’t have that setting, just turn it off. Add chicken and turn until the sauce coats it, letting it sit for about 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the chicken, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and garnish with green onions. Serve over white or brown rice or noodles.
FAQs
Can I use other cuts of chicken in this recipe?
Yes, Honey Sesame Chicken can be made with chicken thighs as well as the chicken breasts I used in the recipe.
What other flavor variations can I make?
- Add sriracha or sweet chili sauce for a little more heat.
- A splash of rice vinegar adds just the right amount of zing to balance the sweetness of the recipe.
- You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes you use to control the spice level.
How do I know when the chicken is done cooking?
A safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken breast for best results.
How do I store leftover Honey Sesame Chicken?
Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It’s great for lunch in lettuce wraps or over some freshly cooked rice.
Can I freeze this easy chicken recipe?
Yes, this chicken should freeze just fine. Once cooled to room temperature, transfer the chicken to a freezer bag or other airtight container. Freeze for up to a month.
To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm up in a large skillet over medium heat with a little bit of water or broth to retain moisture.
More Easy Crockpot Recipes
- Slow Cooker Beer Chicken Tacos with Peach Salsa
- Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Tacos
- BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches
- Slow Cooker Mexican Lasagna
Which ones are you adding to your dinner menu? Let me know in the comments. And, don’t forget to Pin or print this recipe so you can have it ready the next time your busy day requires a quick Crockpot meal!
Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound chicken breast about 3 breast halves
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- Dash of white pepper
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
- Green onions thinly sliced for garnish
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
- Place chicken in crock pot. Mix honey and the next 7 ingredients in a small bowl. Pour over chicken.
- Put crock pot to low temperature. Cook for 2.5 hours or until chicken is cooked through.
- Remove chicken from crock pot and cut into bite size pieces.
- Put cornstarch in small bowl and dissolve with the added water, stirring. Stir into sauce in crock pot. Let it thicken for about 10 minutes.
- Turn temperature to warm. Add chicken until sauce coats it, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove chicken, sprinkle with sesame seeds and garnish with green onions.
did you make this recipe?
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This post was originally published September 3, 2013. It has been update in format and with pictures on October 23, 2025.
Comments & Reviews
Sammy says
I made this last night and it was amazing! It was so easy to do. I threw it in the crock pot before class and finished it when I came home. It was delicious! There were no leftovers. I will definitely be making this again.
Lauren says
So glad you liked it Sammy!! 🙂
Bonnie says
Dad and I had this tonight. We enjoyed the sesame chicken. I served it over brown rice and fixed a side salad with it. It was great to have it without a fried batter on the chicken. I think next time I will steam some veggies with it!