4.6 from 102 votes
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.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings:
4
Calories:
484 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Chinese, American
Ingredients
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
- 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.
- To make the sauce, heat the oil in a large pan then cook for garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 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.
- Heat enough oil to fry the chicken in a deep pan or pot. Place a wire rack over a sheetpan.
- Combine the flour and cornstarch in a separate bowl then coat the chicken in the flour mixture, making sure each piece is completely covered.
- 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.
- 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.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
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: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 484
% 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.