This sesame ground chicken recipe is a quick, flavor-packed dinner made with simple pantry staples. Sweet, savory, and cozy, it’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or family dinners when you want something better than takeout but just as comforting.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable. This sesame ground chicken recipe is proof of that. It’s the kind of meal you throw together on a busy evening, only to realize halfway through cooking that it smells way too good for how easy it is.
Living in Florida, where days are warm and schedules are full, I lean hard on recipes that are fast, flexible, and loved by the whole family. As a mom of three, I also appreciate meals that don’t require a sink full of dishes. On nights when I want something just as comforting but more hands-off, I often fall back on my oven baked chicken thighs.
This recipe is sweet, savory, a little sticky, and deeply comforting. You can spoon it over rice, tuck it into lettuce wraps, or enjoy it straight from the pan while “taste testing.” We’ve all done it, right?
If you’re looking for a reliable, weeknight-friendly favorite that feels homemade and satisfying, this sesame ground chicken recipe deserves a spot in your rotation.
Table of contents
Main Ingredients for This Sesame Ground Chicken Recipe
The beauty of this dish is how much flavor comes from simple, everyday ingredients. Nothing fancy here, just good basics working together.
- Ground chicken breast
Lean, mild, and quick-cooking. It soaks up the sauce beautifully without feeling heavy. - Olive oil
Used just to get things started. A little goes a long way. - Onion
Adds sweetness and depth as it softens. Dice it small so it blends right in. - Garlic
Two tablespoons may sound bold, but trust me. Garlic is doing the heavy lifting here. - Soy sauce
The salty backbone of this sesame ground chicken recipe. Use low-sodium if you prefer more control. - Brown sugar
Brings warmth and balances the salt. It also helps create that glossy sauce. - Chili garlic sauce
Adds gentle heat and a touch of tang. You can adjust to taste. - Toasted sesame oil
This is where the signature flavor comes from. Nutty, rich, and aromatic. - Chicken broth
Keeps the sauce from being too thick while adding savory depth. - Cornstarch slurry
Thickens everything into that crave-worthy coating.
Additional Ingredients and Easy Substitutions
One of my favorite things about this sesame ground chicken recipe is how adaptable it is. You can easily tweak it based on what’s already in your fridge.
Here are a few ideas:
- Ground turkey instead of chicken
Works just as well and stays juicy with the sauce. - Honey or maple syrup in place of brown sugar
Slightly different flavor, but still delicious. - Tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce
Great for gluten-free cooking. - Fresh ginger
Add a teaspoon for extra warmth and brightness. - Veggie add-ins
Bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas work beautifully.
If rice is already on the menu, this pairs perfectly with a simple egg fried rice or even spooned straight over steamed jasmine rice.
Expert Tips for the Best Sesame Ground Chicken Recipe
Let’s talk about the little things that make a good recipe great. These are the tips I’ve picked up after making this dish more times than I can count.
- Use a wide skillet
This helps moisture cook off quickly so the chicken browns instead of steaming. - Break the chicken up early
Smaller pieces mean more surface area for sauce. More sauce coverage equals more flavor. - Drain excess liquid
Ground chicken releases moisture. Draining keeps the sauce from becoming watery. - Add sesame oil gradually
It’s strong. Start with one tablespoon, taste, then decide if you want more. - Simmer gently
A low simmer thickens the sauce without burning the sugar. - Taste before serving
This sesame ground chicken recipe is easy to customize. - Double the batch
Leftovers reheat beautifully and are perfect for meal prep, much like my high protein chicken fried rice.
These small steps keep dinner stress-free and flavorful, which is always the goal around here.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Step 1:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent. - Step 2:
Stir in the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. - Step 3:
Add the ground chicken and break it apart as it cooks. - Step 4:
Drain excess liquid, then season with salt and pepper. - Step 5:
Mix soy sauce, brown sugar, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, and chicken broth. - Step 6:
Pour the sauce over the chicken and bring to a gentle simmer. - Step 7:
Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened. - Step 8:
Remove from heat and garnish with scallions and sesame seeds.
Let’s explore a few more fun ways to customize your casserole.
Additional Guide: Variations and Serving Ideas
This sesame ground chicken recipe is incredibly versatile.
- Serve it over rice for a cozy bowl dinner
- Turn it into lettuce wraps for something lighter
- Swap flavors and heat levels like you would with the firecracker ground chicken rice bowl
It also works beautifully for weekly meal prep and reheats without drying out.
FAQs About Sesame Ground Chicken Recipe
What do you do with ground chicken?
Ground chicken is incredibly versatile. You can sauté it for quick skillet meals, use it in stir-fries, turn it into meatballs, burgers, lettuce wraps, or use it as a protein for rice bowls like this sesame ground chicken recipe. It cooks fast and takes on flavor beautifully.
What can I make with mince chicken?
Mince chicken works well in a wide range of dishes. Try it in Asian-inspired stir-fries, tacos, pasta sauces, dumpling fillings, or simple skillet dinners. It’s especially great for weeknight meals when you want something lighter than beef but still filling.
What is a good binder for ground chicken?
Common binders for ground chicken include eggs, breadcrumbs, panko, or crushed crackers. For gluten-free options, almond flour or cooked rice work well. In recipes like this sesame ground chicken recipe, a sauce-based approach eliminates the need for a binder altogether.
What spices go well with ground chicken?
Ground chicken pairs well with garlic, ginger, onion powder, paprika, cumin, chili flakes, soy sauce, and sesame oil. For bold flavor, Asian-inspired seasonings like chili garlic sauce and sesame seeds are especially delicious.
Conclusion
This sesame ground chicken recipe is one of those meals that makes weeknights easier and tastier at the same time. It’s fast, flexible, and full of comfort, which is exactly what I want to serve my family.
As a home cook, a mom, and someone who believes the best memories are made around food, this recipe checks all the boxes.
If you give it a try, leave a comment and let me know how you served it. I love hearing how these recipes show up at your table.
Sesame Ground Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup onion diced
- 2 tbsp garlic chopped
- 2 lb ground chicken breast
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1-2 tbsp toasted sesame oil to taste
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water
- scallions chopped, for garnish
- sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Add the ground chicken and cook, breaking it into small pieces, until fully cooked. Drain excess liquid and season with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, mix chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and chicken broth.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch mixture and simmer until the sauce thickens.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds before serving.