Sesame Ground Chicken

Imagine tender ground chicken glazed with a sweet, savory sauce that’s punctuated with the nutty crunch of toasted sesame seeds. Sesame Ground Chicken is an aromatic, flavor-packed dish that transforms humble ground chicken into something extraordinary in just minutes. This Asian-inspired recipe balances umami-rich soy sauce with the subtle sweetness of honey and the distinctive warmth of sesame oil. Whether served over fluffy rice or wrapped in lettuce cups, this versatile dish will quickly become a weeknight favorite. You’ll learn how to create restaurant-quality Sesame Ground Chicken with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Sesame Ground Chicken recipe deserves a permanent spot in your meal rotation for countless reasons. First, it’s incredibly quick—ready in about 15 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast. The textural contrast between the tender ground chicken and the crunchy sesame seeds creates an irresistible mouthfeel that keeps every bite interesting.

The flavor profile is perfectly balanced—savory soy sauce, nutty sesame oil, sweet honey, and the gentle heat from garlic and ginger create a complex taste without complicated techniques. It’s also extremely versatile; serve it over rice, tucked into lettuce wraps, or stuffed into tacos for a fusion twist.

Health-conscious cooks will appreciate that ground chicken provides lean protein while the sesame seeds add healthy fats and a satisfying crunch. Even better, this chicken with sesame seasoning uses pantry staples you likely already have, eliminating the need for a special shopping trip.

Ingredients

For this delicious Sesame Ground Chicken, you’ll need:

• 1 lb (450g) ground chicken
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
• ¼ cup (60ml) low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, plus more for garnish
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

The sesame oil provides that distinct nutty flavor essential to authentic sesame chicken recipes. For the ground chicken, choose a mix of dark and white meat for the best flavor and moisture. The balance of soy sauce and honey creates that perfect savory-sweet glaze that coats each morsel of meat beautifully.

Pro Tips

Tip 1: Don’t Overcook the Chicken
Ground chicken can become dry quickly if overcooked. Cook it just until it’s no longer pink inside, which typically takes 5-7 minutes. Keep an eye on the heat level—medium-high is perfect for getting some caramelization without drying out the meat. For the juiciest Sesame Ground Chicken, consider removing it from the heat when it’s 90% cooked, then return it to the pan when adding the sauce to finish cooking gently.

Tip 2: Toast Your Sesame Seeds
For maximum flavor, toast your sesame seeds before adding them to the dish. Place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes, shaking the pan frequently until they turn golden brown and become fragrant. This simple step intensifies the nutty flavor that makes sesame chicken dishes so delicious and provides a better crunch factor.

Tip 3: Create Layers of Sesame Flavor
To create depth in your Sesame Ground Chicken, use sesame in multiple forms. Add half of the sesame oil at the beginning to cook the chicken and reserve the remaining half to stir in at the very end for a fresh hit of flavor. This technique, combined with the toasted sesame seeds, creates a multi-dimensional sesame experience that elevates your dish from good to incredible.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Before you begin cooking, have all ingredients measured and prepped. Mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and slice the green onions. This mise en place approach ensures your Sesame Ground Chicken comes together smoothly since the cooking process moves quickly. If you’re toasting your sesame seeds, do this now and set them aside.

Step 2: Cook the Ground Chicken

Heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground chicken, breaking it up with a wooden spoon into small, even pieces. Cook for about 5-6 minutes until the chicken is just cooked through with no pink remaining. The chicken should develop some golden brown edges, which add flavor and texture to your finished dish.

Step 3: Add Aromatics

Push the chicken to one side of the pan and add the garlic and ginger to the cleared area. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning. This technique allows the aromatics to release their flavors into the oil before incorporating them with the meat, creating a more flavorful Sesame Ground Chicken.

Step 4: Create the Sauce

Pour in the soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Stir everything together, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan—these contain concentrated flavor! Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken slightly and coats the chicken.

Step 5: Finish and Garnish

Remove the pan from heat and stir in the remaining tablespoon of sesame oil, most of the sesame seeds (reserve some for garnish), and most of the green onions. The residual heat will warm these ingredients without destroying their fresh flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with the reserved sesame seeds, remaining green onions, and red pepper flakes if using. Your Sesame Ground Chicken is ready to serve!

Variations

Spicy Sesame Ground Chicken
For heat lovers, transform this into a spicy sesame chicken dish by adding 1-2 tablespoons of gochujang (Korean chili paste) or sriracha to the sauce. You can also increase the red pepper flakes to 1 teaspoon or add a thinly sliced fresh chili when cooking the garlic and ginger. The heat balances beautifully with the sweet and savory elements of the dish.

Vegetable-Packed Version
Make a more nutritionally complete one-pan meal by adding vegetables. After cooking the chicken, add 1 cup of diced bell peppers, 1 cup of small broccoli florets, and 1 grated carrot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until vegetables begin to soften before adding the sauce ingredients. This creates a colorful Sesame Ground Chicken stir-fry that provides additional nutrients and stretches the meal further.

Lettuce Cup Option
For a lower-carb alternative, serve your Sesame Ground Chicken in butter lettuce or iceberg lettuce cups. Add water chestnuts for extra crunch and fresh herbs like cilantro or mint for brightness. This creates a delightful hand-held appetizer or light meal option that’s perfect for entertaining or summer dining.

Storage/Serving

This Sesame Ground Chicken stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or chicken broth to maintain moisture, and warm gently in a skillet or microwave until just heated through.

For freezing, cool the chicken completely, then store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serve this versatile dish in several delicious ways:
• Over steamed jasmine or brown rice with a side of stir-fried vegetables for a classic bowl
• Stuffed into lettuce cups and topped with shredded carrots, cucumber, and extra sesame seeds
• Rolled into warm flour tortillas with shredded cabbage and avocado for a fusion taco night
• Tossed with cooked soba or rice noodles for a hearty noodle dish

For a restaurant-style presentation, garnish with a sprinkle of black and white sesame seeds, thinly sliced green onions, and a few drops of chili oil.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Yes! Ground turkey works excellently in this Sesame Ground Chicken recipe. Dark meat turkey will provide more moisture and flavor, similar to chicken thighs, while turkey breast will be leaner. The cooking time remains approximately the same.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Simply substitute tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce. Double-check that your rice vinegar is gluten-free, as some brands may contain trace amounts of gluten. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! Mix the soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and half the sesame oil up to a week in advance and store in the refrigerator. This makes weeknight cooking even faster—just cook the chicken, add the premade sauce, and finish with fresh garnishes.

Is there a good substitute for honey?
Brown sugar, maple syrup, or agave nectar all work well as honey substitutes in this Sesame Ground Chicken recipe. Each will slightly alter the flavor profile but maintain the necessary sweetness to balance the savory elements.

What vegetables pair well with this dish?
Broccoli, snap peas, bell peppers, carrots, and bok choy all complement Sesame Ground Chicken beautifully. You can stir-fry them separately or incorporate them directly into the dish as suggested in the variations section.

Conclusion

This Sesame Ground Chicken is comfort food at its finest — quick, satisfying, and bursting with the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and nutty flavors. It’s the kind of dish that rescues weeknight dinners when time is short but you refuse to compromise on taste. With its perfect combination of tender ground chicken and toasted sesame richness, this recipe proves that exceptional meals don’t require hours in the kitchen or complicated techniques. Whether you’re serving it over steaming rice, tucked into fresh lettuce cups, or as part of your weekly meal prep, this Sesame Ground Chicken delivers restaurant-quality taste with home-kitchen simplicity.

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