Air-Fried Hot Honey Sesame Chicken Stirfry

Crispy chicken is coated in a sweet, spicy, tangy, thick sauce made of hot honey, soy sauce, black vinegar, ginger, and tons of garlic, stir-fried with crispy onion and cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, and chilies, and sesame seeds for a delectable hot honey sesame chicken dinner.

Table of Contents

Jump to:

• Table of Contents
• Perfect Chicken Stir Fry
• American Chinese Cuisine
• Sesame Chicken vs General Tso's
• Ingredients with Steps
• Culinary Glossary
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• Cooking Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Chinese Recipes
• Poultry Recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• Subscribe to My YouTube Channel
• Have a Comment or Question?

Perfect Chicken Stir Fry

Hot Honey Sesame Chicken with Nappa Cabbage Stir-Fry is a delicious fusion of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors, featuring crispy chicken coated in a thick sauce made from hot honey, soy sauce, black vinegar, ginger, and loads of garlic.

The chicken is stir-fried with crispy onions, napa cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, chilies, and sesame seeds, creating a vibrant, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.

Quick and Easy Meal

This is why the hot honey sesame chicken with Nappa cabbage stir fry and dishes like it is my go-to quick and easy dish with many comforting flavors. For one thing, delicious crispy chicken and crunchy vegetables in a thick, sweet, and spicy sauce over a warm bowl of rice is a sure choice.

So good! And to be exact, I used brown rice! Brown rice is famous for taking so long! But one cup in the rice cooker didn't take that much time. I wonder if it was due to using basmati brown rice?

For example, the rice doesn't look like parboiled rice pearls, which I do not like. It also comes out fluffy and makes me forget that it's brown rice. But this recipe was modified to use whatever rice you want.

American Chinese Cuisine

In my Curry Lentil Turkey Stew post, I mentioned how cuisine is like a griot keeping track of a culinary historical timeline, more like branches. This sesame chicken dish is an example of that.

Additionally, this particular Asian American cuisine was said to have started with the immigration of the Chinese during the California Gold Rush to seek jobs as miners and railroad workers, which led them to adapt to their environment to create jobs that served themselves and the rest of the North Americans, such as restaurants.

Along the way, American Chinese Cuisine was created, from the west coast in San Fransisco all the way to the east coast in New York City. As a result, the Chinese used methods such as cookware, utensils, and ingredients mixed with tradition, American availability, and the mixed population's taste preference.

History of Sesame Chicken

Sesame chicken is a popular dish in American Chinese cuisine, known for its crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet, sticky sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil, often garnished with sesame seeds.

Traditionally, sesame chicken was inspired by similar dishes from China, such as General Tso's chicken and other sweet and savory stir-fries. Still, it has evolved into a distinct dish loved for its rich flavor and satisfying crunch.

Sesame Chicken vs General Tso's

Some might wonder what really sets sesame chicken and General Tso's chicken apart, especially since their sauces can look quite similar despite slight color differences.

While both dishes share a common base of ingredients—like sugar, cornstarch, vinegar, rice wine, and soy sauce—and are sometimes served with steamed broccoli, each brings a unique flavor profile to the table.

Sesame chicken is all about that sweet, sticky goodness, with a focus on a purely sweet, savory experience topped off with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and a bit of crunch, enhancing the dish’s mild character.

On the other hand, General Tso's chicken packs a punch with a balance of spiciness and sweetness. The addition of chili peppers brings heat to the sauce, making it a more complex and fiery option for those who crave a bit of spice in every bite.

Both dishes are crispy, saucy, and utterly satisfying, but their distinct garnishes and flavor focus make each one memorable in its own right.

Napa Cabbage Popularity in East Asia

Napa cabbage was chosen for this recipe because it is a staple in East Asian cuisine due to its mild flavor, crisp texture, and versatility. In China, it is often used in stir-fries, soups, and dumpling fillings. Where as in Korea, napa cabbage is the key ingredient in making kimchi, a fermented dish central to Korean meals.

In Japan, it’s commonly found in hot pots and pickled dishes. Its ability to absorb flavors and maintain texture makes it a favorite regional ingredient.

Transformation of American Chinese Cusine

However, the fascinating part is how different Chinese events influenced the ever-growing change in American Chinese cuisine.

For example, Tawainese university students seeking employment, evacuation from communism, and a boom in the Chinese economy resulted in the comprised population changing from being majority Tawainese to Szechuan, to Canton, and then to the Fuzhounese people in the United States.

Consequently, they brought their influences along the way, thus creating new dishes like sesame chicken. I am also fascinated to read more on this. Any recommendations? Let me know.

I recently added "The Breath of a Wok" by Grace Young, "From Canton Restaurant to Panda Express: A History of Chinese Food in The United States" by Haiming Liu, and "The Food of Sichuan" by Fuchsia Dunlop to my Amazon Waitlist.

More Bold and Flavorful Recipes

• Sweet and Spicy Gochujang Chicken and Broccoli Stir-fry
• Chicken Stir-Fry with Mushrooms, Peppers, and Green Beans in Hoisin
• Shishito Eggplant Shrimp Stir-Fry
• Chicken Curry Stir-Fry with Coconut Rice and Beans
• Hot Honey Lemon Chicken Skewers with Asparagus

Ingredients with Steps

Before starting, ensure your rice is cooked and all ingredients are prepped, as this recipe moves quickly. Begin by breading the chicken: mix egg, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and avocado oil, then coat the boneless skinless chicken breast pieces in panko breadcrumbs after dipping in the egg mixture.

Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the chicken to a golden brown for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through. While the chicken cooks, prepare the sauce by whisking the remaining egg mixture with Chinese black vinegar, hot honey, sesame oil, and cornstarch.

Heat oil in a wok, cook the onions, then add cabbage, carrots, and bell peppers for the stir fry. Toss in sesame seeds and chili flakes, toast briefly, then add the sauce. Combine the crispy chicken and sliced scallions (aka green onions) with the stir-fried vegetables, then serve over rice, garnished with sesame seeds.

Culinary Glossary

This section provides concise definitions of key ingredients and techniques to enhance understanding and improve cooking skills related to this recipe.

• Hot Honey - A sweet and spicy honey infused with chili peppers.
• Black Vinegar - A dark, rich vinegar from China, often used in dipping sauces and marinades. It has a rich, complex flavor with a balanced mix of tangy, smoky, and slightly sweet notes, often compared to a cross between balsamic vinegar and soy sauce.
• Napa Cabbage - A type of Chinese cabbage with pale green leaves and a mild flavor, often used in Asian cooking. Learn more about it in the intro.
• Sesame Seeds - Tiny seeds from the sesame plant are used for their nutty flavor and crunchy texture.

See the sesame chicken cabbage stir fry recipe card for quantities below.

Learn about prepping sweet peppers.

Substitutions

Dairy-Free

• Yay! The recipe is already dairy-free.

Gluten-Free 

• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce - Traditional soy sauce does contain wheat, so use tamari, coconut aminos, or a gluten-free soy sauce alternative.
• Panko Breadcrumbs - Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs or finely crushed rice crackers. Or you can omit the panko. If you do this option, you can still use the air fryer or brown skinless chicken breasts in the pan or wok.
• Chinese Black Vinegar - Some may contain wheat; try rice wine vinegar or toasted rice wine vinegar. Or try an equal part combination of balsamic vinegar and low-sodium gluten-free soy sauce. Alternatively, if you do not have balsamic vinegar, use any other vinegar except red wine vinegar.

Egg-Free

• Whole Egg - The stir-fry sauce has eggs in it. This helps create a thick, velvety sauce along with the cornstarch. However, if you can't have eggs, only use cornstarch. Additionally, use an egg substitute for the breading process, like Bob's Red Mill Resealable Gluten Free Egg Replacer.

Vegetarian

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - Replace the chicken with crispy tofu or a plant-based chicken substitute.

Convenience

• Hot Honey - Combine regular honey with a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or chili powder. I used the famous Mike's Hot Honey to develop this recipe. However, if you need an alternative, try Nature Nate's Hot Honey or Bees Knees Spicy Honey; both are infused with habanero peppers.
• Chinese Black Vinegar - Substitute with balsamic vinegar or a mix of regular vinegar and soy sauce. Try apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or white wine vinegar.
• Sesame Oil - Use oil with a dash of toasted sesame seeds.
• Avocado Oil - This oil was used for its high-smoke point and neutral flavor; substitute it with another oil with similar properties, like vegetable or canola oil.
• Medium-Grain White Rice - As mentioned in the intro, I usually do this recipe with brown basmati rice. However, you can try regular brown rice, egg noodles, or your favorite white rice.
• Ginger Paste - Substitute with fresh ginger.
• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce - Use regular soy sauce.

Change Heat Level - Modify the sesame chicken recipe's heat level to your liking and learn more about the Scoville Scale and Chili Pairings.

Variations

• Rice or Noodles - You can choose brown rice, white rice, spaghetti, or Chinese egg noodles; any of these goes well with chicken stir fry.
• Protein - Try with homemade or store-bought breaded shrimp, tofu, or tenderized pork or beef. For the tofu, I tried it out this way once. Not too shabby!
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs - Use skinless, boneless chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
  • Steak - Substitute chicken with thinly sliced beef steak for a richer flavor.
• Broccoli or Green Bean Stirfry - Use steamed broccoli florets or green beans instead of the bell pepper and cabbage to make this version

Equipment

• Mixing Bowl - The mixing bowls were used during the sesame chicken breading process.
• Container with Lid - Used for coating the chicken by shaking it. Alternatively, you can use the CanCooker Collapsible Plastic Batter Bowl or a resealable bag.
• Air Fryer - This recipe was developed using the Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Indoor Grill as an alternative to deep frying. If you do not have an air fryer, you can try roasting in the oven. Bake the chicken in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through
  • You have two options with different results: a sheet pan with parchment paper or a sheet pan with a sheet pan wire rack.
    • The parchment paper will produce chicken pieces roasted in their juices with caramelization at the bottom.
    • In contrast, the sheet pan rack will result in just roasting around the chicken due to the hot air flowing around it.
    • Now, the trick is not to overcrowd in whatever method you choose, but if this happens, toss in between cooking.
• Wok - Used for stir-frying the same chicken and vegetables on high heat quickly. Or you can use a large skillet. In addition, I developed this recipe using the Bielmeier Carbon Steel Wok. It is also thoughtfully packaged with easy instructions to season the pan, is lightweight, and is the perfect size to store. It also sometimes comes with a wooden or glass lid and utensils.
• Rice Cooker - An option to cook the rice. Update: I currently use the Zojirushi Micom Rice Cooker and highly recommend it.

Kitchen Must Haves - Find other tools I use here.

Storage

• Refrigerator - To store in the fridge, you can place the sides together or separately in a shallow 2-inch pan to cool down quickly. Then, store in an air-tight sealing container. The meal will last up to three days.
• Freezer - Follow the refrigeration process mentioned above. Then, you can place it in the freezer in a labeled, airtight container.

Airtight Food Containers - I interchange glass food storage containers with plastic clipping lids or wooden push-ins. I always suggest glass storage containers because they can be microwaved, they hold food without staining, and the glass keeps the food at a more stable temperature, keeping it fresher and longer.  

Try the OXO Good Grips Smart Seal Glass Rectangle Food Storage Containers or the Pyrex Freshlock Glass Food Storage Containers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chinese Recipes

Looking for other Chinese-inspired recipes like this? Try these:

Poultry Recipes

Looking for other delicious poultry recipes like this? Try these:

📖 Recipe

Subscribe to My YouTube Channel

SUBSCRIBE: 👈To my YouTube Channel to Get Notifications of New Videos.

Have a Comment or Question?

If you have a question or comment about this honey sesame chicken recipe, please post it below. You will definitely get a quick response. It also helps our other readers to stay informed. Thanks!