Sesame Chicken
This quick and easy Sesame Chicken recipe delivers crispy, tender chicken coated in a sweet and savory sauce with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a healthy homemade alternative to takeout, offering balanced flavors and a satisfying crunch every time.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken and Coating
- 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cornstarch or all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use gluten-free soy sauce for gluten-free option)
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Garnishes
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Pat dry with paper towels so the coating will stick better.
- Coat the Chicken: In one bowl, whisk the eggs. In another bowl, mix cornstarch (or flour) with salt and pepper. Dip each chicken piece into the egg, then dredge thoroughly in the dry mixture to create an even coating.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate pan, combine soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and a splash of sesame oil. Heat gently over medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes aromatic.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the crispy chicken pieces to the sauce and toss quickly to coat each piece evenly with the glossy sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the coated chicken. Serve hot for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Choose chicken thighs for juiciness or breasts for a leaner dish.
- Fry chicken in small batches to maintain oil temperature and keep it crispy.
- Lightly toast sesame seeds in a dry pan before garnishing to enhance their flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness of the sauce by tasting and adding more honey or sugar as desired.
- Serve immediately for optimal crunch and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Sesame Chicken, Crispy Chicken, Asian Chicken Recipe, Gluten-Free Sesame Chicken, Easy Dinner