Sesame Chicken: A mouthwatering dish with crispy chicken pieces coated in a glossy, sweet-savory sesame sauce. It’s the perfect combination of texture and flavor, balancing the crunch of fried chicken with the umami-rich sauce.
What is Sesame Chicken?
Sesame chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish made with bite-sized pieces of chicken that are breaded, fried until crispy, and coated in a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, honey, garlic, and toasted sesame oil. Garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, this dish is a staple on many Chinese restaurant menus.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Sesame Chicken
Toast Sesame Seeds: Toasting sesame seeds before garnishing adds a richer, nuttier flavor.
Use Cornstarch for Crispy Chicken: Mixing cornstarch with flour creates a lighter, crispier coating than using flour alone.
Double Fry for Extra Crunch: Fry the chicken pieces a second time for an extra-crispy texture, similar to authentic restaurant methods.
Balance the Sauce: If the sauce is too sweet for your taste, add a splash of rice vinegar or lemon juice to brighten it up.
Variations to Try
- Spicy Sesame Chicken: Add a dash of sriracha or chili flakes to the sauce for a spicy kick.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free flour in the batter.
- Vegetarian Version: Swap chicken with crispy tofu or cauliflower for a plant-based alternative.
- Honey Sesame Chicken: Enhance the sweetness by using honey as the primary sweetener in the sauce.
- Baked Sesame Chicken: For a healthier option, bake the battered chicken instead of frying it.
How to Serve Sesame Chicken
With Veggies: Balance the richness of the dish by pairing it with sautéed broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy.
With Rice: Sesame chicken pairs perfectly with steamed jasmine rice, brown rice, or fried rice.
With Noodles: Serve alongside lo mein or chow mein for a complete Chinese-inspired meal.
How to Store and Reheat Sesame Chicken
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, freeze sesame chicken without the sauce. Add fresh sauce after reheating.
- Reheat: To retain the crispiness, reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F until warmed through. Avoid microwaving as it can make the chicken soggy.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I Make Sesame Chicken Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce and fry the chicken ahead of time. Store them separately and toss the chicken in the reheated sauce just before serving.
2. What’s the Best Oil for Frying?
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as canola, vegetable, or peanut oil.
3. Can I Use Store-Bought Sauce?
While homemade sauce is best for fresh flavor, you can use store-bought sesame chicken sauce for convenience.
4. What Makes Sesame Chicken Different from General Tso’s Chicken?
Sesame chicken has a sweeter, nuttier flavor profile due to the sesame oil and seeds, while General Tso’s chicken is spicier and tangier.
5. How Can I Prevent Soggy Chicken?
Avoid overcrowding the frying pan and reheat the chicken in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
Easy Sesame Chicken
Sesame Chicken, a mouthwatering dish with crispy chicken pieces coated in a glossy, sweet-savory sesame sauce. It’s the perfect combination of texture and flavor, balancing the crunch of fried chicken with the umami-rich sauce.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 3 chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized chunks
- 5 tbsp vegetable oil
- 10 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 3 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
- 2 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp garlic salt
For the Sauce:
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp sweet chili sauce (adjust to taste)
To Serve:
- Boiled rice
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- Spring onions/scallions, chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan over high heat.
- Set up a dredging station: one bowl with cornflour, another with beaten eggs, and a third with seasoned flour (flour mixed with salt, pepper, garlic salt, and paprika).
- Coat the chicken pieces: dredge in cornflour, dip in egg, then coat with seasoned flour.
- Fry in the hot oil for 6-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- In the same wok, add all sauce ingredients. Stir and simmer on high heat for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens and reduces by about a third.
- Toss the fried chicken back into the wok, coating it in the sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Serve over boiled rice, garnished with sesame seeds and spring onions.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
6Amount Per Serving Calories 402Total Fat 25gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 21gCholesterol 99mgSodium 1531mgCarbohydrates 37gFiber 2gSugar 21gProtein 9g
dinnerbytes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although dinnerbytes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Still Hungry! Try These Chicken Recipes:
- Best Chicken Fried Steak
- Japanese Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
- Best White Chicken Chili
- Easy Chicken Enchiladas
So, Guys, I hope you enjoy this Sesame Chicken Recipe which I make on weekly basis. All the chicken Lovers who are looking for Sesame Chicken will enjoy this recipe. And if you like this recipe then Don’t forget to share it with your friends on Pinterest, Facebook, and other social media platforms. And do follow us on facebook, twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, and Instagram.
