Honey Sesame Chicken

Description
A quick weeknight chicken dinner with a glossy honey-soy sesame sauce, broccoli, and rice. This is the simple skillet version Jake and Amanda liked from the September 2026 meal plan.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 to 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil
• 2 to 3 cups broccoli florets
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil, optional but good
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
• Sesame seeds, for topping
• Cooked white rice, for serving

Instructions

1. Start the rice first so it is ready when the chicken is done.
2. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the chicken until browned and cooked through.
3. Add the broccoli and a splash of water. Cover for 3 to 4 minutes, just until the broccoli is bright green and tender-crisp.
4. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil. Let everything simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Add the cornstarch slurry and toss until the sauce turns glossy and thick enough to coat the chicken.
6. Serve over rice and finish with sesame seeds.

Notes

• For a less sweet sauce, use 1/4 cup honey instead of 1/3 cup.
• A splash of rice vinegar or a squeeze of lime helps balance the sauce if it tastes too sweet.
• Frozen broccoli works fine; thaw or steam it lightly before adding if you want to avoid extra water in the sauce.

Source
Family weeknight recipe from Chef chat, September 2026.