Hoisin Chicken (Simple & Healthy)

Name: Hoisin Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces (1 ½ pounds)); 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1 tablespoon sesame oil; Kosher salt and pepper (to taste); 1/3 cup hoisin sauce; 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon honey; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice; 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (or to taste); 1/4 cup chicken stock (vegetable broth or filtered water); thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds

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This Hoisin Chicken is sweet, savory, and full of flavor. Tender pieces of chicken are cooked in a sticky hoisin sauce with soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of honey until thick and glossy. It’s a quick and satisfying dinner that pairs perfectly with rice or vegetables.

A white bowl with hosin chicken and rice, garnished with scallions and sesame seeds, with chopsticks on the side.

Looking for a quick, flavor-packed chicken dinner? This hoisin chicken is just the ticket! The sauce is made with pantry ingredients that are simply mixed together, and the chicken breast cooks up in no time. Spoon it over steamed rice, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, for a takeout-style meal made right at home.

Looking for other better-than-takeout dishes? Try my Szechuan Shrimp Stir Fry or Healthy Kung Pao Chicken.

Recipe Overview

Skill Level

Beginner

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Ingredients Needed

Below are the ingredients you’ll need to make Hoisin Chicken. The full quantities can be found in the recipe card further down the post.

Chicken breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are what you need here for quick prep and easy cooking. You can swap them for boneless, skinless chicken thighs, if preferred.
Cornstarch: Used to coat the chicken to help it brown and to thicken the sauce. Can be swapped out for tapioca starch.
Sesame oil: Adds a toasty, savory flavor to the chicken and prevents it from sticking to the skillet. You can use avocado oil instead (although this will alter the flavor).
Hoisin sauce: A sweet-savory Chinese sauce made with fermented soybean paste, spices, vinegar, and sugar. Look for it in the Chinese section at the grocery store.
Soy sauce: Adds savory flavor and saltiness to the sauce. I like to use low-sodium soy sauce to control the dish’s saltiness.
Rice vinegar: Adds a touch of acidity to balance the sauce’s sweetness. Lime juice, lemon juice, or apple cider vinegar can also be used.
Honey: Sweetens the sauce and helps it to caramelise. Agave syrup can be used, if preferred.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, Onion powder, Ground ginger, Chili powder, Kosher salt, and black pepper.
Chinese five-spice: A pre-mixed blend of star anise, fennel seeds, cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorns, and cloves, that adds a sweet-spicy aroma to the dish.
Chicken stock: Thins out the sauce while adding depth of flavor. Use low-sodium chicken stock to control the dish’s salt level.
Green onions and sesame seeds: An optional garnish that adds color and texture.

How to Make Hoisin Chicken

Step 1: In a shallow plate, mix the chicken cubes with the cornstarch, sesame oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 2: In a jug, whisk all the hoisin sauce ingredients. Pour 2 heaping tablespoons of sauce over the cubed chicken and mix well. Let it sit on the counter for 15 minutes before cooking.

Process shoto to season the chicken in a bowl.

Step 3: Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat (If the pan is not non-stick, then drizzle a bit of sesame oil). Add the chicken in a single layer and cook, undisturbed, for 4-5 minutes, to brown. Stir and continue to cook for 4-6 minutes, or until fully cooked through.

process shot to cook the chicken in a pan and then adding the hoisin sauce.

Step 4: Add in the remaining hoisin sauce, and simmer for 2 minutes. It will quickly start to thicken and get glossy.

Step 5: Serve the hoisin chicken over rice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.

process shot to make the hoisin chicken in pan and adding it over rice in a bowl.

Variations & Tips

Add some greens: Serve alongside steamed broccoli or edamame beans.
Make it vegan: Use cubed, firm tofu in place of the chicken breast. Swap the chicken stock for water.
For some crunch: Garnish with toasted, chopped cashews or peanuts for a crunchy texture.
The cornstarch is key for helping the sauce to thicken, don’t skip it!
Cut the chicken breast into evenly sized chunks so they cook at the same rate.
If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of water. If it’s too thin, simmer for a little longer so it reduces.
Letting the chicken sit in the marinade for 15 minutes helps the flavors to infuse into the meat.
The sauce can burn easily due to its sugar content, so keep an eye on it and use medium heat to prevent scorching.
For a lighter serving option, serve in lettuce cups or over cauliflower rice.

A skillet with hoisin chicken breast chunks garnished with sesame seeds.

Common Questions

How do I store it?

Allow to cool then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How do I reheat it?

Stir the chicken with a splash of water in a skillet over medium heat until piping hot throughout. Alternatively, microwave individual portions in a microwave-safe bowl until piping hot.

Is hoisin chicken very sweet?

Hoisin sauce has a nice sweet-and-savory balance. You can reduce the dish’s sweetness by omitting the honey, if you like.

Is hoisin sauce spicy?

Generally, hoisin sauce is mild. It features fragrant spices like cinnamon, star anise, cloves, fennel seeds, and Szechuan pepper. I add a bit of chili powder to the sauce for some heat, but you can omit this if you like.

What’s a good substitute for hoisin sauce?

You can make a quick substitute by mixing 2 tablespoons of miso paste with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1/4 teaspoon of Chinese 5-spice.

Can I make it Gluten-free?

Yes! Just opt for a gluten-free hoisin sauce, and use a gluten-free tamari in place of the soy sauce.

Can I marinate the chicken for longer?

Yes! You can cover the chicken and marinate it in the fridge for up to 2 hours. Avoid leaving it for longer than this time, as the acid in the marinade can make the chicken become mushy.