You know those recipes that become a part of your weekly routine, almost without you even deciding? This is one of them.

It’s the kind of meal that saves the day, filling your kitchen with an aroma that pulls everyone to the table, happily and without complaint.

Why This Recipe Earned Its Spot

Frankly, it’s a weeknight superhero disguised as dinner.

From the first sizzle in the pan to the final sprinkle of sesame seeds, the whole process is a swift, satisfying 15-minute dance.

Ingredients Needed for the Recipe

Gather these simple items, and you’re most of the way there. Each one builds a layer, from savory depth to that nutty, sweet finish.

• Ground Chicken: The lean, quick-cooking base that soaks up all the glorious sauce.
• Yellow Onion & Garlic: Our aromatic foundation, they create that irresistible first scent the moment they hit the pan.
• Chili Garlic Sauce: The quiet star, it brings a gentle warmth and complex flavor that’s more about depth than sheer heat.
• Soy Sauce & Brown Sugar: The classic duo that balances salty with sweet, creating the backbone of our sauce.
• Toasted Sesame Oil: That’s the magic, right there. It’s the fragrant, nutty note that makes the dish truly sing.
• Chicken Broth & Cornstarch: They work together to build a silky, clinging sauce that coats every morsel perfectly.

The Simple Joy of a Well-Stocked Pantry

Once you make this a few times, you’ll find you almost always have what you need.

The chili garlic sauce keeps forever in the fridge, and the rest are kitchen staples, which means a fantastic dinner is never far away.

How to make ?

The process is beautifully straightforward, a sequence of simple steps that build flavor confidently.

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Step 1 – The Aromatic Start

Warm a bit of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your diced onion and let it cook, stirring now and then, until it turns soft and translucent.

Toss in the chopped garlic, and give it just a minute more—you want it fragrant, not browned.

Step 2 – Cooking the Chicken

Now, add the ground chicken. Use your spoon or a spatula to break it up into small, bite-sized crumbles as it cooks.

Once it’s fully cooked through, carefully drain any excess liquid from the skillet; this helps the sauce cling beautifully later. Season it well with salt and pepper.

Step 3 – Building the Sauce

While the chicken cooks, whisk together the chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, and chicken broth in a bowl.

Pour this mixture over the cooked chicken, stirring to ensure every piece is introduced to the sauce. Let it come to a gentle simmer.

Step 4 – The Final Thicken & Serve

Stir your cornstarch-and-water mixture, then drizzle it into the simmering chicken while stirring. You’ll see the sauce transform, turning glossy and rich.

Let it bubble gently for another minute or two to cook off the starchy taste, then taste for seasoning. That’s it. Spoon it over rice, and garnish with a flurry of chopped scallions and sesame seeds.

Making It Uniquely Yours

The true beauty of a recipe like this is its flexibility, its willingness to adapt to your mood or your fridge’s contents.

• Protein Swaps: Ground turkey is a seamless substitute, and ground pork will add a richer, slightly sweeter flavor. Even lean ground beef works in a pinch.
• Vegetable Boost: Stir in a handful of broccoli florets, snap peas, or shredded carrots with the chicken to let them steam-cook in the sauce. It’s an easy way to add color and crunch.
• Sugar Adjustment: If you’re watching sugar, a stevia-based brown sugar alternative works well, or you can simply reduce the amount by a tablespoon or two—the sauce will still be delicious.

Tips

• For an even quicker sauce, you can whisk the dry cornstarch right into the sauce ingredients before pouring it into the pan. It will thicken as soon as it simmers.
• Start with one tablespoon of the toasted sesame oil. After thickening the sauce, give it a taste and add the second tablespoon if you want that nutty flavor to really pop.
• Don’t skip the garnish. The fresh, green bite of the scallions and the tiny crunch of sesame seeds lift the entire dish from great to fantastic.

Your Future Self Will Thank You

This dish is a meal-prepper’s dream, honestly. It reheats like a champion, the flavors mingling and deepening overnight.

Store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to four days, and reheat individual portions in the microwave for a lunch that feels anything but leftover.

Thinking Ahead with Freezing

Yes, it freezes beautifully. Let the cooked chicken cool completely, then portion it into airtight containers or freezer bags.

It’ll keep happily for up to three months, offering you a ready-made dinner on a day you simply can’t think about cooking. Just thaw and reheat.

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Print Recipe

Sesame Ground Chicken Recipe

Author: Elly Cooking Method: Stir Frying Cuisine: Asian Courses: Main Course

Difficulty: easy Prep Time 5 mins Cook Time 10 mins Total Time 15 mins

Servings: 6 Estimated Cost: $ 12 Calories: 280

Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Description

Our Sesame Ground Chicken is a #1 recipe for good reason. It’s on the table in 15 minutes, packed with lean protein and has a flavor that everyone loves! Serve with rice or ramen noodles on the side to soak up all of the delicious, sweet sesame sauce.

Ingredients

Servings

• 1 tsp olive oil
• ¹⁄₂ cup yellow onion (diced)
• 2 tbsp garlic (chopped or minced)
• 2 pounds ground chicken breast (lean (about 92% lean))
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• black pepper (freshly ground, to taste)
• 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce (mild heat, adjust to taste)
• ¹⁄₂ cup soy sauce (low sodium recommended)
• ¹⁄₃ cup brown sugar
• 1–2 tbsp toasted sesame oil (to taste)
• ¹⁄₃ cup chicken broth (low sodium)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 1 tbsp water)
• chopped scallions (for garnish)
• sesame seeds (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Add the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the diced onion for 3–4 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
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2. Add the ground chicken to the skillet. Cook, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon, until fully cooked through (no pink remains). Drain any excess fat if needed.
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3. Season the cooked chicken with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
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4. In a small bowl, whisk together the chili garlic sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, and chicken broth until well combined.
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5. Pour the sauce mixture over the cooked chicken and stir to coat evenly. Bring to a gentle simmer.
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6. In a separate small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water to make a slurry. Stir the slurry into the simmering sauce.
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7. Continue to simmer for 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to your liking. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
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8. Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped scallions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over rice, ramen noodles, or cauliflower rice.
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Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Serving Size 1 serving (approx. 2/3 cup)

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Amount Per Serving

Calories 280kcal

% Daily Value *

Total Fat 10gg16%

Saturated Fat 2.5gg13%

Trans Fat 0gg

Cholesterol 85mgmg29%

Sodium 1120mgmg47%

Potassium 480mgmg14%

Total Carbohydrate 18gg6%

Dietary Fiber 1gg4%

Sugars 14gg

Protein 30gg60%

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Calcium 40 mg

Iron 2 mg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

• Protein swap: Ground turkey, pork, or lean beef work great as alternatives.
• Lower sugar: Use a stevia-based brown sugar substitute or reduce sugar to 2 tbsp.
• Add veggies: Stir in broccoli, snap peas, or shredded carrots during the last few minutes of cooking.
• Storage: Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months in portioned containers.

Keywords: sesame ground chicken, quick chicken dinner, high protein meal, easy chicken recipe, meal prep chicken