Savory Sweet Sesame Chicken Recipe: A Family Favorite

Crispy, golden sesame chicken has become my go-to comfort meal when craving something special.

Weeknight dinners demand quick yet satisfying solutions that pack serious flavor.

Our kitchen adventure promises a delightful twist on classic takeout favorites.

Each bite combines tender chicken pieces with a perfectly balanced sauce that dances between sweet and savory.

Crunchy sesame seeds add magical texture to every morsel of this crowd-pleasing dish.

Home cooking beats restaurant versions hands down with fresh ingredients and personal love.

You’ll want to roll up your sleeves and start cooking right now.

Why Sesame Chicken Hits All the Right Notes

Quickly Craft Crispy Delight: A perfect weeknight dinner solution that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy meal in under 30 minutes.

Beginner-Friendly Cooking: No advanced culinary skills required – the step-by-step coating and frying process makes this recipe accessible for home cooks of all levels.

Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: The harmonious blend of sweet, savory sesame sauce with crispy chicken creates an irresistible dish that appeals to both kids and adults.

Versatile Meal Option: Easily adaptable for meal prep, potlucks, or a quick family dinner, serving perfectly over rice or alongside your favorite vegetables.

Sesame Chicken Key Ingredients

• Chicken: Tender meat for the main dish, boneless and skinless chicken breasts work best for even cooking.

• Cornstarch, Flour: Creates a crispy exterior and helps the coating adhere to the chicken.
• Salt, Pepper: Adds basic seasoning to enhance the chicken’s flavor.
• Eggs: Helps the dry coating stick to the chicken pieces.

• Sesame Oil: Provides authentic Asian flavor and aromatic base for the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Adds depth and saltiness to the overall dish.
• Honey, Brown Sugar: Balances the sauce with sweetness and helps create a glossy finish.
• Rice Vinegar: Brings a subtle tangy note to the sauce.
• Garlic, Ginger: Adds classic Asian-inspired aromatics and flavor complexity.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce to create a smooth, clingy texture.

• Sesame Seeds: Adds crunch and visual appeal to the final dish.
• Green Onions: Provides a fresh, sharp flavor and colorful garnish.
• Steamed Rice: Traditional base for serving the chicken.

Sesame Chicken Stir-Fry Guide

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Coating

Create a delectable coating for your chicken by mixing dry ingredients.

In a bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper into a light, flavorful mixture.

In another bowl, whisk the eggs until well blended.

Dip each chicken piece into the egg wash, then generously coat with the flour mixture, ensuring an even and crispy exterior.

Step 2: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil in a large pan until it reaches a sizzling medium-high temperature.

Carefully place chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in batches to maintain optimal crispiness.

Fry each batch for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally to achieve a beautiful golden-brown color.

Transfer the cooked chicken to paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 3: Create Irresistible Sesame Sauce

Warm sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat.

• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Sauté until the kitchen fills with an aromatic fragrance.

• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Brown sugar
• Rice vinegar

Allow the sauce to simmer and develop depth.

Create a cornstarch slurry and stir it in to thicken the sauce to a glossy consistency.

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Gently add the crispy chicken pieces into the prepared sauce.

Toss carefully, ensuring each piece gets thoroughly coated with the delicious sesame glaze.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle a generous amount of sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions over the chicken.

Serve immediately alongside steamed rice or a colorful array of stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal that will delight your taste buds.

Sesame Chicken Smart Cooking

• Select high-quality, boneless chicken thighs or breasts for the most tender and juicy results.
• Keep the oil around 350°F to ensure crispy, golden chicken without burning or undercooking.
• Use paper towels to remove extra oil from fried chicken, preventing a greasy texture and reducing unnecessary calories.
• Modify honey and brown sugar quantities to match your preferred sweetness level without overpowering the savory flavors.
• Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for an extra kick of heat if you enjoy spicier dishes.

Sesame Chicken Reheat Guide

• Store leftover sesame chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for maximum 2 months. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, spread chicken on a baking sheet, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Drizzle extra sauce to prevent drying out.
• Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

What Goes Well With Sesame Chicken

• Sip Perfectly Paired Companions: Sesame Chicken’s Delightful Matches
• Crisp White Wine Complement: Riesling’s light, slightly sweet profile beautifully balances the savory sesame chicken, cutting through its rich sauce with refreshing acidity.
• Craft Beer Harmony: Amber ale’s malty, caramel undertones enhance the chicken’s crispy texture and complement the sweet-tangy sesame sauce, creating a delightful flavor interaction.
• Fresh Veggie Sidekick: Cucumber and radish salad with rice vinegar dressing provides a cool, crunchy contrast to the warm, saucy chicken, refreshing the palate between bites.
• Zesty Citrus Cooler: Mandarin orange mocktail with sparkling water adds a bright, tangy element that echoes the sesame sauce’s complexity while offering a light, palate-cleansing experience.

Sesame Chicken – Simple Changes to Try

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce to ensure completely gluten-free coating.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Swap cornstarch and flour for almond flour or crushed pork rinds. Replace honey with sugar-free honey substitute or monk fruit sweetener to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Baked Healthier Option: Instead of deep-frying, arrange chicken pieces on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Spray with olive oil cooking spray and bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes until crispy and golden.
• Spicy Asian Fusion: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce for extra heat. Include a dash of chili oil when sautéing garlic and ginger to enhance the spicy flavor profile.

FAQs

• Is the cornstarch important in this recipe?

Cornstarch helps create a crispy, golden exterior on the chicken by absorbing moisture and developing a crunchy coating when fried.

• Can I use a different type of vinegar instead of rice vinegar?

While rice vinegar provides a mild, slightly sweet flavor, you can substitute with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar for similar results.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring it’s thoroughly cooked and safe to eat.

• Why do I need to fry the chicken in batches?

Frying in batches prevents overcrowding, which can lower the oil temperature and result in soggy, less crispy chicken pieces.

Sesame Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Sesame chicken brings together crispy, golden-brown pieces of tender chicken coated in a glossy, sweet-tangy sauce. Fragrant sesame seeds add a nutty crunch that elevates this classic Chinese-American dish, making you crave each delectable bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 lbs (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized cubes

Coating and Seasoning:

• 1/2 cup (60 grams) cornstarch
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 large eggs, beaten

Sauce and Garnish:

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water (to thicken the sauce)
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, sliced

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken coating by whisking together cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper in a mixing vessel.
2. Create a separate egg wash by beating eggs thoroughly in another container.
3. Transform chicken pieces into a crispy exterior by first dipping each piece into the beaten eggs, then generously coating with the seasoned flour mixture.
4. Warm a substantial skillet with cooking oil over medium-high temperature, ensuring sufficient depth for frying.
5. Carefully introduce chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in batches to maintain optimal cooking temperature and prevent overcrowding.
6. Fry each batch for approximately 4-5 minutes, rotating occasionally to achieve an even golden-brown crust and ensure complete cooking.
7. Transfer fried chicken onto paper towels to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
8. Craft the sesame sauce by gently heating sesame oil in a saucepan over moderate flame.
9. Infuse the oil with minced garlic and grated ginger, stirring rapidly to release aromatic compounds without burning.
10. Incorporate soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, and rice vinegar into the fragrant base, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
11. Allow the sauce to simmer, developing depth and complexity for 2-3 minutes.
12. Integrate a cornstarch slurry to transform the liquid into a luxurious, glossy coating.
13. Reunite the crispy chicken with the prepared sauce, gently tossing to ensure complete and even coverage.
14. Elevate the dish’s presentation by generously scattering toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions.
15. Serve immediately atop steamed rice or accompanied by vibrant stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

• Toast sesame seeds briefly in a dry pan before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and release more aromatic oils.
• Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier, more tender meat that stays crisp even after sauce coating.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting cornstarch with rice flour and using tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.
• Pat chicken pieces completely dry before dredging to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent soggy breading during frying.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg