While I could forever praise its flavor, our Honey Sesame Chicken has my heart because it is a part of what I lovingly call our “convenience collection” - make-ahead freezer meals whose purpose is to make your life easier by saving you time, money, and energy.
The collision of sweet and savory often presents itself in my cravings, and our Honey Sesame Chicken is exactly what I want to do about it when it happens. Drenched in a sauce made up of the umami flavors of tamari, the natural sweetness of honey, and the subtle spicy-sweet flavor of ground ginger, the tender chicken just hits the spot – especially when served over rice with the added crunch of sesame seeds and chopped green onion. It is so satisfying that it takes a whole new level of self-control to not go back for a second (or third!) plateful.
While I could forever praise its flavor, our Honey Sesame Chicken has my heart because it is a part of what I lovingly call our “convenience collection” – make-ahead freezer meals whose purpose is to make your life easier by saving you time, money, and energy. As a mom of many, a wife, and a business owner, my time is just as valuable as the next guy, and I much prefer to spend it with the people I love than slaving over a hot stove for hours.
Instead, I spend a few minutes adding Honey Sesame Chicken’s ingredients to a freezer bag, storing it until the day of its debut. And when that day comes, the thawed goodness spends a few hours mingling in my slow cooker before presenting heaven atop our dinner plates.
It’s so magical you won’t believe it until you try it yourself, which should really happen right now. What do you say?
Why You’ll Love Honey Sesame Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe
Freezer-Friendly: Double (or triple!) the recipe and store in your freezer for the perfect no-fuss dinner whenever you need it.
Time-Saver: The time you save by making our Honey Sesame Chicken is better used doing things you enjoy with those you love the most.
Kid-Friendly: The sweet and savory flavors are a hit with kids, which means you have a meal that everyone will enjoy.
Honey Sesame Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe
While I could forever praise its flavor, our Honey Sesame Chicken has my heart because it is a part of what I lovingly call our “convenience collection” – make-ahead freezer meals whose purpose is to make your life easier by saving you time, money, and energy.
Cornstarch: If you don’t have tapioca flour on hand or are simply looking for a different thickener, cornstarch can be used as a 1:1 substitute. It also freezes well, which is beneficial for this make-ahead freezer meal.
Coconut Aminos: To lower the sodium content of the dish or for a soy-free alternative, coconut aminos work as a great replacement to tamari. Coconut aminos can be used in a 1:1 ratio.
Additions:
Broccoli Florets: Adding broccoli creates aesthetic interest in this dish and adds nutrition. Broccoli freezes well, but you’re also welcome to add it on the day of cooking.
Bell Peppers: By adding sliced bell peppers (any color you prefer), a sweet and colorful component comes alongside our Honey Sesame Chicken. Plus, they add a lovely crunch, making the texture even more delectable than it already is.
How to Reheat and Store Honey Sesame Chicken
Best way to Store Leftover DIY Frozen Honey Sesame Chicken Leftovers?
When you are needing to store your leftovers, the best place to do so is in the fridge. To make sure your leftovers remain fresh, allow the recipe to cool completely to room temperature before storing. Choose airtight containers or resealable bags to maintain its freshness.
How Long Will Honey Sesame Chicken Last In the Fridge?
When properly stored in an airtight container, Honey Sesame Chicken will stay fresh in the refrigerator for three to five days.
Can I Freeze Freezer-Friendly Healthy Honey Sesame Chicken?
Our method is prepping and freezing raw, and then cooking fresh because we learned the hard way that freezing leftovers oftentimes yields a mushy, less flavorful second round. To prepare a raw freezer meal, label your gallon freezer bag, add chicken and tapioca starch, shake to coat, then add all other ingredients. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze for up to three months. If you have already prepped your meal and are looking to store your leftovers in the freezer, follow the same procedure to store in the fridge, cool completely, place in a freezer bag, remove as much excess air, seal and store.
How To Reheat Budget-Friendly Honey Sesame Chicken?
This dish is reheatable on the stovetop, in the microwave, or in the oven. be forewarned that using the microwave has the greater chance of changing the texture and flavor profile of the dish, as well as overheating. Use the microwave to reheat in short bursts of 30-60 seconds, stirring between each interval to ensure even cooking. Use the stovetop for a more effective reheat. Place desired portion on the skillet, with a splash of broth or water to prevent sticking. Stir occasionally until your Honey Sesame leftovers are heated through.
Honey Sesame Chicken Freezer Recipe FAQs
Do Chinese people eat sesame chicken?
Sesame chicken is said to have originated in the 1980s in Guangdong, China. It grew quite popular, finding its way to China’s northern region, where it is still popular today. So, yes, Chinese people do eat sesame chicken.
Is Honey Sesame Chicken spicy?
Honey sesame chicken is sweet, but has a savory component and hints of heat to its flavor profile also. The sauce is traditionally made of soy sauce, honey, and ginger, with an occasional recipe calling for sweet chili sauce. The ginger (and sweet chili sauce, if used) add just the right amount of heat to meld with the sweetness of the honey and the umami flavor of the soy sauce.
Which is healthier: General Tso’s or Sesame Chicken?
General Tso’s and Sesame chicken are actually quite comparable nutritionally, with subtle differences in the amount of protein, total fat, carbohydrates, and sugars. While sesame chicken bears more protein, it contains more carbs and sugars. Where General Tso’s brings slightly less protein than sesame chicken, it contains more far, less carbs, and less sugar. Ultimately, we think they’re fairly even nutritionally and see the choice to come down to preference.
What are the best alternative sweeteners to honey?
The best alternative sweeteners to honey are date syrup, raw sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, and agave syrup. Of course, there are variations in flavor for each of those options, but they are all valid choices when looking to substitute honey in a recipe. For this recipe, we’d recommend agave syrup as it has the most similar flavor to honey out of all the possible options.
What is the best cut of chicken for Honey Sesame Chicken?
The most commonly used cut of chicken for Honey Sesame Chicken is chicken breasts, which is what our recipe calls for. It can certainly be prepared with chicken thighs, but this will change the flavor ever so slightly.
Is there a vegetarian alternative to Honey Sesame Chicken?
When it comes to making a chicken-based dish vegetarian, there are many alternative ingredients available to align with your dietary needs and preferences. Tofu is the most common alternative, but jackfruit offers a meat-like texture that some enjoy. Otherwise, you can substitute the chicken for cauliflower, soy curls, seitan, or even tempeh.
What are the best side dishes to serve with Honey Sesame Chicken?
One of the most common accompaniments to Honey Sesame Chicken is rice. It’s easy, inexpensive, and complements its flavor beautifully. Other side dishes are mixed vegetables (roasted or sauteed), stir-fried Asian noodles (like rice noodles or ramen), salad, or lettuce wraps.
