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Lighter Honey Sesame Chicken

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This healthy, lightened-up honey sesame chicken was an instant favorite in our house! Naturally sweetened with honey and sprinkled with a big handful of sesame seeds, this really does taste just like our favorite takeout without all the extra sugar & carbs. It’s full of pantry staples so you can throw together a big batch for dinner tonight!

Can I just say again how much I really, really love dump-it-all-in slow cooker meals? There’s honestly a fair number of days when I don’t feel like cooking dinner while I’m still decompressing from the holidays. This recipe is less than 375 calories for a huge, overflowing bowl with both chicken and cauliflower rice. Having takeout-style lighter honey sesame chicken ready to go saves both my health and my wallet!

Healthy, lightened-up honey sesame chicken made in the slow cooker is naturally sweetened to taste just like your favorite takeout!

There’s a time and a place for cauliflower rice, and this is definitely it. I can’t help but roll my eyes whenever I hear the promise “you’ll never know the difference!” – um, have you had rice before? – but al dente cauliflower rice will soak up flavors, and the texture works really well with these big pieces of saucy chicken. Perfect for a complete healthyish low-carb meal!

The key to good cauliflower rice is cooking it until there’s barely any moisture left. Soggy cauliflower is just sad. Squeeze out as much water as you can before you start, cook it over high heat so the moisture will sizzle away as it releases, and drain it through a paper towel if you need to. You’ll have fluffy, toothsome, holds-its-shape grains once the liquid has cooked off.

Healthy, lightened-up honey sesame chicken made in the slow cooker is naturally sweetened to taste just like your favorite takeout!

If you’re avoiding refined sugars, this recipe is sweetened with natural honey. It’s also gluten free although you should still check labels; some brands of soy sauce are actually loaded with sugar and gluten. Double-check the ingredients list if avoiding these ingredients is important to you.

I know this will have a regular place on our weekly meal plan! What are you favorite go-to easy recipes to avoid the temptation of takeout?


Healthy, lightened-up honey sesame chicken made in the slow cooker is naturally sweetened to taste just like your favorite takeout!
Print Recipe

Lighter Honey Sesame Chicken

Healthy, lightened-up honey sesame chicken made in the slow cooker is naturally sweetened to taste just like your favorite takeout!
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time4 hours hrs
Total Time4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Asian
Servings: 4 large bowls
Calories: 356kcal
Author: Mountain Cravings

Ingredients

  • 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast diced
  • 2 T. cornstarch
  • 1 large onion halved & sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 3 T. low sodium soy sauce
  • 1 T. sesame oil
  • 1 t. red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 T. sesame seeds
  • 1/4 cup green onions sliced

Instructions

  • Stir chicken and cornstarch together in a slow cooker until chicken is completely coated. Add onion and garlic.
  • Whisk honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes together in a small bowl. Pour over the chicken and onions.
  • Cook for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
  • Sprinkle with sesame seeds & green onions. Serve hot with jasmine rice, brown rice, or cauliflower rice.
Print Recipe


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5 January 2018 Tagged With: Asian, Cozy Comfort Foods, Gluten Free, Healthy Eats, Low Carb, Main Dishes, Slow Cooker

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