Sesame Chicken Recipe: A Complete Guide

Sesame chicken is a popular Chinese dish enjoyed by many people worldwide. The combination of crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and savory sesame sauce is truly irresistible. There are many variations of this dish, some featuring different ingredients or preparation methods. However, the basic foundation of the recipe always remains the same. In this article, we will provide you with a complete guide to making delicious Sesame Chicken that you can enjoy right in your own home.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients required to make Sesame Chicken:

1 pound boneless chicken cut into small pieces
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 egg
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 cloves minced garlic
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Tips for selecting the best ingredients:
When selecting chicken for this recipe, I recommend using skinless and boneless thigh meat. It provides a more tender texture and absorbs flavor quickly.

Cornstarch is used to coat the chicken giving it that crunchy texture when frying.

For best results use freshly minced garlic to enhance the flavor.

Preparation

Here are the steps for preparing Sesame Chicken:

Cut your boneless chicken into bite-size pieces.
In a mixing bowl, add cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Mix well
In another mixing bowl, beat the egg lightly. Dip each chicken piece in the egg mixture and then coat them in the cornstarch mix properly.
Preheat cooking oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fry chicken pieces until golden brown and crispy.

Tips for preparation:
To make sure that the chicken doesn’t end up being too greasy, pat the chicken dry using paper towels before coating with egg and cornstarch.

Allow the coated chicken pieces to sit at room temperature for around five minutes before frying. This helps bind the coating to the meat and makes it crispier.

If you are not confident about frying, you can use an air fryer instead - it’s an excellent option for oil-free cooking.

Cooking Methods

Here are three different ways to prepare Sesame Chicken:

Stovetop Method

Using a skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
Add fried chicken pieces to the skillet until they become crispy on all sides.
In another saucepan, prepare sesame sauce following directions mentioned later.
Set aside cooked chicken pieces in a separate platter and pour in sesame sauce over warm cozy dish.
Mix well with every piece carefully

Pros of this method: Stovetop cooking is relatively quick for small amounts of food.

Cons of this method: It can be time-consuming if you plan on cooking this for a lot of people, and it requires constant stirring to avoid overheating or burning the chicken.

Oven Method

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Place the fried chicken pieces in a baking dish.
Bake for around 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is heated through.
In another saucepan, prepare sesame sauce following directions mentioned later
Pour the prepared sesame sauce over baked chicken in the baking dish.

Pros of this method: Baking provides uniform cooking while requiring less attention than stovetop cooking.

Cons of this method: It may take longer, and it will not deliver that crispy texture and caramel coloring that frying would give.

Air Fryer Method

Preheat air fryer at about 390°F for about five minutes.
Add the chicken in a single layer inside the basket. Spray with oil on both sides.
Cook for around ten minutes, flipping each piece over halfway.
In another saucepan, prepare sesame sauce following directions mentioned later
Pour the sesame sauce evenly over the warm cooked chicken pieces and garnish with sesame seeds serve hot with rice and your choice of vegetables.

Pros of this method: It produces crispy fried-like food without all that excess oil.

Cons of this Method: You have to cook in batches if preparing this for more people.

Sauce Preparation

Sesame sauce is a crucial part of Sesame Chicken Recipe. Here’s how to make it:

2 cloves minced garlic
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/4 cup water

Mixing Instructions and Proportions

In a mixing bowl, add minced garlic, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
Add hot water to the mixture and stir well until the sugar has dissolved.

That’s it; our sesame sauce is ready to incorporate in our chicken.

Tips for Making Sesame Sauce:

The most important thing to remember when making sesame sauce is to use good quality ingredients. Use freshly squeezed juice of a lemon or lime instead of store-bought. Additionally, you can increase or decrease the amount of sugar in the recipe according to your preference.

Combining Chicken & Sauce

Once both sauces and chicken are ready, it’s time to combine them:

In warm and cozy Dutch oven or a skillet over medium-high heat, pour our prepared sesame sauce.
Add pre-cooked chicken pieces and mix well with every piece getting bathed in sesame sauce.
Cook for another one to two minutes,
Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds on top before serving, and enjoy!

Tips for Serving Sesame Chicken:

Sesame chicken tastes great served on white rice or noodles. You can also serve it with steamed broccoli, sautéed green beans or stir-fry veggies that you like.

Serving Suggestions

In addition to rice or noodles, here are a few other sides that can go well with Sesame Chicken:

Stir-fried vegetables such as broccoli, snow peas, or carrots.
Sautéed green beans.
Cucumber Salad with vinegar dressing,
Sauteed mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions

During a special evening meal, you can plate the food attractively by serving it in bowls or dumpling jar.

Health Benefits

Sesame chicken offers multiple health benefits, including:

Sesame seeds are rich in antioxidants which help keep the immune system healthy. They also benefit the skin and digestive system.
Chicken is a high-protein food that’s low in calories but rich in vitamins and minerals essential for growth of bones and muscle building.

Variations on the Recipe

Variations on Sesame Chicken that you may want to try include:

Add pineapples chunks to your sesame chicken to make it like pineapple chicken for variation.
Crispy Sesame Chicken - Skip cooking chicken directly with the sauce. Keep aside cooked fried chicken pieces and pour over separate sesame sauce as dipping.
Sesame Tofu-For those who are meatless eaters tofu would be great substitute instead of regular chicken.

Troubleshooting:

If you experience any problems while making Sesame Chicken, here are some tips:

If using skillet/watch carefully to avoid burning the coat onto chicken while cooking this on stovetop.
To avoid overcooking our chicken or drying out our sauce, be sure not to over-fry the chicken or keep it in the oven for too long.
If you find that your sauce is too thick, adjust it by adding a little water or vegetable broth.
Burning smell? Throw away and instantly restart sauteing again.

Storage and Reheating

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To avoid dryness while reheating leftover Sesame Chicken, place it in a skillet with extra sauce to moisten it up. Cook on low heat until heated thoroughly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sesame Chicken is a popular Chinese dish that has gained worldwide popularity due to the unique flavor combination of the sesame sauce and perfectly cooked chicken cubes. With this complete guide, you can easily prepare this mouth-watering dish at home with confidence. Remember to use quality ingredients, choose your cooking method wisely, and don’t forget to follow our tips and tricks for a perfect result.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sesame Chicken Recipe

What is sesame chicken?

Sesame chicken is a popular Chinese-American dish that features crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and savory sesame sauce. It can be served with rice, noodles, or vegetables.

Can I make sesame chicken at home?

Absolutely! Sesame chicken is easy to make at home. You just need a few key ingredients like chicken breast, cornstarch, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and garlic. Check out our recipe below for step-by-step instructions.

How do I get my sesame chicken crispy?

Cut your chicken into small pieces so it cooks faster and more evenly.
Coat the chicken in a mixture of cornstarch and spices before frying it. This helps to create a crispy coating on the outside of the chicken.
Fry the chicken in hot oil until it’s golden brown and crispy.

Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?

You can, but we recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe as it’s easier to cut into small pieces and cooks more quickly. Bone-in chicken will take longer to cook and may not cook as evenly.

How can I make my sesame sauce thicker?

If you find that your sesame sauce is too thin, you can thicken it up by adding a slurry made from cornstarch and water. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of water until smooth, then add to the sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until thickened.

Is sesame chicken healthy?

Sesame chicken is not the healthiest option as it’s typically deep-fried and coated in a sugary sauce. However, you can make healthier versions by baking the chicken instead of frying it and using less sugar in the sauce. You can also add more vegetables to your dish to boost the nutritional value.

What are some variations I can try with this recipe?

You can add vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers to your sesame chicken for a healthier version
You can add chili flakes or sriracha sauce to the sauce for a spicier version
You can use tofu instead of chicken for a vegetarian version

sesame chicken recipe