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Homemade Crispy Sesame Chicken
4.2 from 177 votes

Homemade Crispy Sesame Chicken

This Homemade Crispy Sesame Chicken recipe features bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a flour and cornstarch mixture, fried to a golden crisp, then tossed in a sticky sauce made from honey, soy sauce, hoisin, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. The result is a crispy, sweet-savory dish with garlic aroma and a nutty sesame finish.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 327 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

For the chicken
  • 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast boneless skinless, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 2 egg
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper fresh ground
  • cooking oil vegetable, for frying
For the sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil or vegetable oil, divided into 1 tablespoon and another 3 teaspoons
  • 2-3 gloves garlic or 2 teaspoons garlic powder, minced
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce low sodium
  • 1 teaspoon hoisin sauce
  • 1/3 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons green onion sliced

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a medium to large sized shallow bowl, combine flour and cornstarch.
  2. In another bowl, whisk eggs and add salt and pepper and mix well.
  3. Coat the chicken by dipping each piece of chicken into the egg mixture with tongs and then into the flour. Add to a large plate. Repeat with all of the chicken.
  4. In a deep pot (one that will be good for frying), add about 3- 3 1/2 inches of oil and heat on medium until oil is 350 degrees. It's best to use a thermometer for this, but you can also do the wooden spoon test.*
  5. Once oil is to temp, add chicken to oil (only about 8 pieces of chicken at a time as to not crowd the pot) and cook for 5 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Remove from oil and add to a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with all of the chicken.
  6. Let chicken drain on a paper towel lined plate.
  7. Meanwhile, combine the honey, hoisin, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in a bowl. You can also prepare this sauce a day in advance.
  8. Heat 1 teaspoon of sesame oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds just enough for it to become fragrant, but be sure to not burn it. Then add the sauce, bring it to a simmer, and then let it all cook together for about 3 minutes.
  9. Once sauce has thickened, add the crispy chicken to the pan and coat all the pieces fully with the sauce. Once well coated, drizzle remaining 2 teaspoons of sesame oil over the top.
  10. Add sesame seeds and green onions to the top of the chicken and then serve!

Notes

  • Use the wooden spoon test to check if the oil is ready for frying: gentle bubbles around the spoon handle indicate appropriate temperature.
  • The sauce can be made a day in advance and refrigerated to save time on the day of cooking.
  • Pre-mix the flour and cornstarch and store in an airtight container for quicker preparation.

Nutrition Information

Calories 327kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 38g (13%) Protein 30g (60%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g (6%) Monounsaturated Fat 2g (10%) Trans Fat 0.02g (1%) Cholesterol 127mg (42%) Sodium 1149mg (48%) Potassium 595mg (13%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 17g (34%) Vitamin A 202IU (4%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 56mg (6%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 327

% Daily Value*

Calories 327kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 38g 13%
Protein 30g 60%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 0.02g 1%
Cholesterol 127mg 42%
Sodium 1149mg 48%
Potassium 595mg 13%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 17g 34%
Vitamin A 202IU 4%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 56mg 6%
Iron 2mg 11%

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