Sesame Chicken
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This homemade Sesame Chicken recipe rivals your favorite Chinese takeout or restaurant version. Deliciously crispy breaded chicken is tossed in an exquisitely sweet-savory sauce that will “wow” your taste buds and have you coming back for seconds!
What is Sesame Chicken?
Sesame chicken is a popular Chinese takeout dish that consists of coated and fried crispy pieces of chicken tossed in a sweet and savory sauce flavored with honey and sesame. This homemade Sesame Chicken is quick and easy to make and rivals your favorite takeout version, so there’s just no reason not to make it at home!
For the best flavor we use a combination of both brown sugar and honey. We place a little more emphasis on the honey because well, the flavor of honey is just amazing in this.
Can I Make It In Advance?
This is a relatively quick dish to make anyway, but as a time-saver you can cut up and marinate the chicken and make the sauce in advance and then reheat it. Then all you have left to do is fry the chicken, toss it in the sauce and there it is – a sweet and sticky delicious Chinese take-out classic that will cause you to think twice about ever ordering take-out again!
Sesame Chicken Recipe
Let’s get started!
Cut up the fresh chicken into bite-sized pieces. Combine the marinade ingredients, whisking with a fork, and pour it over the chicken pieces. Stir the chicken to thoroughly coat with the marinade. Set aside while you’re preparing the sauce.
Combine all of the sauce ingredients, except for the garlic, ginger and sesame oil, in a bowl and stir until the cornstarch, honey and sugar are dissolved.
Heat the sesame oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and fry the garlic and ginger for 1 minute.
Add the sauce and bring to a boil for 1 minute until thickened. Set aside until ready to use.
Dredge the chicken pieces in the cornstarch/salt mixture and shake off the excess cornstarch.
Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F (NOTE: You can also fry the chicken in a frying pan with an inch or two of oil, turning the pieces. Just be careful, it’s hot! Use a thermometer to check the temperature.)
Working in batches and being careful not to overcrowd the deep fryer, fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy.
Place the chicken pieces on paper towels to drain while you fry the remaining chicken.
Add the chicken pieces to the sauce, stirring to thoroughly coat each piece of chicken, and bring the mixture to a simmer for a couple of minutes to allow the coating to absorb the sauce.
Serve immediately with steamed rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Enjoy!
For more great Chinese food be sure to try my:
- Mongolian Beef
- Mongolian Chicken
- Chinese Beef and Broccoli
- General Tso’s Chicken
- Egg Foo Young
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Hot and Sour Soup
- Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Orange Beef
- Wonton Soup
- Shanghai Noodles
- Beef Stir Fry
- Chicken Chow Mein
- Chicken Teriyaki Noodles
- Szechuan Chicken and Cashew Noodles
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Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts , cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cornstarch , combined with 1 teaspoon salt
- Oil for deep-frying
- For the Marinade:
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine (can substitute sherry)
- For the Sauce:
- 3 cloves garlic , peeled and minced
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- OR brown sugar alternative (for low sugar option)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons Chinese rice vinegar
- sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk the marinade ingredients together with a fork and pour over the chicken in a bowl. Stir to coat the chicken and set aside while preparing the sauce.
- To make the sauce, combine all the ingredients, except for the garlic, ginger and sesame oil, until the cornstarch, honey and sugar are dissolved.In a medium saucepan over medium high heat, fry the garlic and ginger for 1 minute. Pour in the sauce and bring it to a boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
- Heat the oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F. Alternatively heat about an inch of oil in a heavy frying pan. Dredge the chicken pieces in the cornstarch/salt mixture, shake off the excess cornstarch deep fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy. (Note: Chicken must be cooked to an internal temperature of 170 degrees for boneless products and 180 degrees for bone in chicken products.) Be careful not to over-crowd the deep fryer. Place the chicken pieces on paper towels to drain while frying the next batch.
- Add the fried chicken to the sauce, stirring to thoroughly coat each piece and let the mixture simmer for a couple of minutes until the chicken has absorbed the sauce.Serve immediately with steamed rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet August 25, 2014
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
This was delicious, even better than takeout. My kids and husband loved it.
Thank you so much, Rhonda!
This was amazing. I will share it with my daughters! I used tofu and no eggs for the marinade and accidentally added Shaoxing wine to the sauce. Thanks for the recipe, it is a keeper and going in ‘the book.’
I’m so glad, thank you!
Haven’t tried this yet; wondering if I can use my air fryer?
Do you have a recommendation for how long and at what temperature the chicken can be baked instead of fried as a healthier alternative?
I made this recipe tonight and it tasted exactly like it does in a Traditional Chinese Restaurant, absolutely fab!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed it, Tony, thank you!
Family friendly and so delicious. Great flavors without being too sweet
So delicious! Can’t wait to make it again.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Sarah, thank you!
This is a great recipe. Really yummy and a big hit with my family.
This looks so much better than takeout! Definitely adding this to my weekly dinner plan soon. :)
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it.