Honey Sesame Chicken

Let's be honest, some chicken wings just sit on a plate and politely wait to be eaten. These honey glazed chicken wings are far from polite. They come out sticky, glossy and full of flavour that makes everyone lean in for another bite. Whether you are serving them for a weekend game day or a fun dinner at home, these wings feel exciting without being complicated.

This Honey Sesame Chicken recipe captures what everyone loves about sesame chicken wings but gives you the satisfaction of cooking them yourself. They end up juicy inside with that beautiful sticky glaze all over the outside that sticks to your fingers and makes you completely unashamed about licking them clean.

Why These Honey Sesame Chicken Wings Work So Well

What makes this version of honey chicken wings so good is the rich, sticky glaze that forms as they bake. A mix of soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, honey and sesame oil gives a balanced sweet and savoury flavour that clings to every piece of chicken.

The wings are baked until they have golden spots and a caramelised finish, which keeps them juicy on the inside and beautifully sticky on the outside. It feels like a restaurant classic that just happens to be friendly for a home kitchen, the same way fun street snacks like easy Korean corn dogs bring that takeaway style comfort right into your kitchen.

What Goes Into This Chicken And Why It Matters

This honey sesame chicken recipe is built from simple ingredients you can easily find. Each part plays a role in shaping that mouthwatering sticky glaze the wings are known for.

• Chicken Drumettes and Wingettes: These meaty pieces roast beautifully and give you that classic wing texture without being too fiddly.
• Soy Sauce and Kecap Manis (Sweet Soy Sauce): The combination gives a rich, deep savoury backbone to the sauce that wraps around each wing.
• Honey: The sweet element in this honey sesame chicken coats the wings and reduces down into a sticky sauce you want to pick up with every last bite.
• Sesame Oil and Garlic: These aromatics bring bold flavour and some gentle nuttiness that complements the sweetness beautifully.

Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for the full list of ingredients and measurements.

Optional Twists If You Are Feeling Adventurous

These ideas are optional but great to try depending on how bold you want the flavour to be.

• Extra Honey For More Glaze: Drizzling a bit of extra honey over the wings before baking gives them even more sticky sweetness.
• Fresh Herbs On Top: A sprinkle of chopped coriander or spring onion adds freshness and colour when serving.
• Chilli Flakes For Gentle Heat: If you like a little kick, adding a pinch of chilli flakes to the marinade brings warmth without overwhelming the sweet glaze.

On the stove

1. Prep the Oven and Chicken: Preheat oven to grill or broil at 200°C | 400°F and line a baking tray with foil. Wash and pat dry the wings, trimming skin from drumettes if preferred and leaving it on the wingettes.

1. Marinate the Wings: In a shallow dish, whisk together soy sauce, Kecap Manis, honey, sesame oil, and garlic. Add the chicken, toss to coat well, and refrigerate for 1–2 hours or overnight for more flavor.

1. Grill Until Sticky: Remove from marinade and set it aside. Place wings skin side up, drizzle with extra honey, and grill for 8–10 minutes. Flip and cook another 5–8 minutes until golden and sticky.

1. Finish and Serve: Boil the reserved marinade for 5 minutes to thicken. Pour over cooked wings, garnish with sesame seeds, and serve hot with lemon wedges.

These wings are packed with bold, sticky-sweet flavor, so pairing them with sides that balance or contrast the richness makes all the difference. If you're looking for something more indulgent Crispy Fries make a fun and satisfying combo with these sticky sesame chicken wings. Also, we like to add some noodles and transform this sauce on a better version of our favorite takeaway!

For a twist, try them with Creamy & Crispy Green Bean Casserole. The crunch and creaminess play perfectly against the texture of these honey chicken wings. Whether you're after a lighter pairing or a full comfort-style plate, these sides round out this honey-glazed chicken wings recipe beautifully.

Kitchen tip

• Pat your wings dry before marinating so the sauce sticks beautifully and you get that lovely caramelised finish.
• Let the wings marinate for at least an hour so they soak up the soy and honey flavours deeply.
• Give the reserved marinade a quick boil while the wings cook to thicken it into a glossy sauce you can pour back over the wings.
• Serve with lemon wedges right before eating to balance the sweet and savoury notes.

Recipe FAQ's

Yes, you can use whole wings for this Honey Sesame Chicken recipe. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they're cooked through and golden. You may also need a larger tray for even spacing.

Yes, the sauce works perfectly with boneless thighs or breasts too. adjust the cooking time depending on the cut you're using.

Letting the wings caramelize under the grill helps the glaze stick naturally. For extra flavor, pour the reduced marinade over the wings just before serving.

What you need

• 2 lbs chicken drumettes and wingettes
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons Kecap Manis (Sweet Soy Sauce)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves fresh garlic crushed/minced
• 1-2 tablespoons (extra) honey
• 2 tablespoons Sesame seeds for garnish
• Lemon wedges to serve

Method

1. Preheat oven to grill/broil settings on high heat (or 200c | 400f).
2. Wash and rinse chicken wings and pat dry. Cut the skin off of the wing drumettes, and leave it on for the wingettes (if you want to cut out the extra fat).
3. In a large shallow dish, whisk together the soy sauce, Kecap Manis, honey, sesame oil and garlic. Add the chicken and mix into the sauce to coat. Refrigerate to marinade for 1-2 hours (or overnight for a stronger flavour).
4. Remove wings from marinade and reserve liquid. Arrange chicken wings skin side up onto an oven tray lined with aluminium foil, and drizzle with a little extra honey. Grill/broil for 8-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Turn the wings and grill/broil for a further 5-8 minutes more, or until they are golden, sticky and cooked through.
5. While the wings are in the oven; pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan, and bring to the boil for 5 minutes.
6. To serve, pour honey sauce over the wings and garnish with sesame seeds.