Crispy sesame chicken

User Reviews

4.6

102 reviews
Excellent
  • Prep Time

    20 mins

  • Cook Time

    30 mins

  • Total Time

    50 mins

  • Servings

    4

  • Calories

    484 kcal

  • Course

    Dinner

  • Cuisine

    Chinese, American

Crispy sesame chicken

Crispy sesame chicken features bite-sized pieces of chicken breast coated in a mixture of flour and cornstarch, fried until golden and crisp. The chicken is marinated briefly in egg and soy sauce, then crisped up in neutral oil. It's finished with a thick, glossy sauce that combines soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds, providing a sticky and flavorful coating with a balance of sweet, tangy, and nutty notes.

Description

Crispy sesame chicken is prepared by first combining cubed chicken breast with beaten egg and soy sauce to help tenderize and flavor the meat. The chicken is then coated thoroughly in a dry mixture of flour and cornstarch, which contributes to its crispy texture once fried in hot oil. Meanwhile, the sauce is cooked by sautéing crushed garlic in oil, followed by simmering a blend of soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. A cornstarch slurry thickens the sauce to a glossy finish. After frying, the chicken pieces are tossed in the sauce to evenly coat each crisp morsel.

The final dish delivers a satisfying crunch with every bite, offset by the rich, tangy, and slightly sweet sauce with hints of sesame and garlic. The sesame seeds add a toastier texture and nutty aroma to the overall flavor. This recipe suits those wanting a textured fried chicken enhanced with a flavorful sauce that clings well and adds moisture.

For best results, cook the chicken in small batches to maintain oil temperature for maximum crispness. Serve it freshly cooked to retain the crunch, and consider pairing it with steamed rice or simple stir-fried vegetables to complement the sauce.

I Made This!

10 people made this

Save this

49 people saved this

Ingredients

Servings

For the chicken

  • 500 g (1lb) chicken breast cubed into bite-size pieces
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch or cornflour
  • neutral cooking oil for frying, generic cooking oil

For the sauce

  • 1 tbsp canola oil or vegetable oil
  • 3 garlic crushed, cloves
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup water
  • ¼ cup brown sugar You could add up to one third cup sugar if you prefer the sauce to be sweeter.
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar or lemon juice
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tbsp sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water, or cornflour

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken in a bowl then add the egg and soy sauce. Massage the egg and soy into the chicken well then allow to sit for a few minutes while you make the sauce.
  2. To make the sauce, heat the oil in a large pan then cook for garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Pour in the soy sauce, water, sugar, vinegar and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer then pour in the cornstarch slurry. Reduce the heat then simmer until the sauce is thick and glossy. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  4. Heat enough oil to fry the chicken in a deep pan or pot. Place a wire rack over a sheetpan.
  5. Combine the flour and cornstarch in a separate bowl then coat the chicken in the flour mixture, making sure each piece is completely covered.
  6. Carefully add the chicken to the hot oil, cooking in batches to avoid over-crowding the pan, until the chicken is golden brown and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and allow to drain on the wire rack while you cook the remaining chicken.
  7. Place the pan with the sauce back on the heat and bring to a simmer. Add the fried chicken and sesame seeds to the pan then toss to coat the chicken in the sauce. Season to taste with more soy, vinegar or sesame oil as necessary then serve over rice or noodles.

Nutrition Information

Show Details
Calories 484kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 56g (19%) Protein 36g (72%) Fat 12g (18%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 121mg (40%) Sodium 1751mg (73%) Potassium 615mg (13%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 97IU (2%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 75mg (8%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 484 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories 484kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 56g 19%
Protein 36g 72%
Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 121mg 40%
Sodium 1751mg 73%
Potassium 615mg 13%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 97IU 2%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 75mg 8%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Genuine Reviews

User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.6

102 reviews
Excellent

Write a Review

Drag & drop files here or click to upload
Other Recipes

You'll Also Love

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

American
5.0 (33 reviews)

Easy Baked Sweet Potatoes

American
5.0 (15 reviews)

Creamy Chicken Pasta Salad

American
5.0 (12 reviews)

Candied Yams

American
5.0 (21 reviews)

Buffalo Wings

American
5.0 (63 reviews)

Lamb Stew

Irish
5.0 (18 reviews)

Broccoli Casserole

American
5.0 (36 reviews)

Crab Cake Sandwich

American
5.0 (15 reviews)

S'mores Bars

American
5.0 (21 reviews)

Vegetable Beef Stew

American
5.0 (30 reviews)

Cajun Roasted Turkey

American
5.0 (39 reviews)

Oven Baked Chicken and Rice

American
5.0 (27 reviews)