The accidental, but delicious sesame chicken

I've been excited to share this recipe since I gave a preview on Instagram last week (you can follow me here). It was supposed to be another recipe entirely, however, I made the mistake of not reading all the way through and was missing several necessary ingredients, so with a little improvisation, I came up with something we loved more than the original. This wonderful accident made up for my recent recipe hack fails (I'm looking at you, grain-free brownies). Everyone had seconds and cleaned their plates, and that's saying a lot in this household.

Ingredients:
2 lbs. chicken breast, cut into one inch cubes
1/4 c cornstarch or arrowroot starch

1/4 c honey
1/4 c tamari or low-sodium soy sauce
2 minced garlic cloves
3 T rice vinegar
1 T tomato paste (I recommend having this on hand)
1/8 t to 3/4 t red pepper flakes (depending on your preferred spiciness)
1 t grated ginger (pro tip: peel ginger and store in your freezer - easy to grate and keeps for months)

1 - 2 green onions/scallions thinly sliced
2 t sesame seeds (optional)
6 T avocado, canola, or high heat tolerant oil

Salt and pepper
3 - 4 c cooked rice
Green beans or broccoli (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 if serving the chicken with a side of roasted veggies.

Toss green beans or broccoli (or another choice vegetable) with a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

While the vegetables are in the oven, whisk honey, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Note: this can be done 4-5 days prior and stored in the refrigerator (as part of meal prep).

Generously season the cubed chicken with salt and pepper. Toss with arrowroot or cornstarch. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in pan over medium heat. Cook a single layer of chicken (approximately one pound), turning occasionally, until cooked through. Remove cooked chicken and set aside on a plate. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil to pan with the rest of the chicken. Cook through. Add all the chicken back to the pan with the sauce. Cook for 3 minutes, or until sauce has thickened slightly.

Remove vegetables from the oven. Sprinkle the chicken with sliced green onions and sesame seeds. Serve the entire meal over rice (keep things simple with the Trader Joe's organic microwaveable brown rice). Enjoy! And don't be surprised if your family is begging for this weekly.