If you’re looking for a flavorful and satisfying meal that can be whipped up in no time, look no further than this Sesame Chicken recipe. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a sweet and savory sesame sauce that is simply irresistible. Perfect for busy weeknights, it cooks in only 30 minutes and pairs beautifully with rice and vegetables.
This easy recipe is not just quick to prepare; it’s also healthier than typical takeout options. The perfect balance of flavors captures the essence of Asian cuisine, making it a family favorite. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just for yourself, this dish is sure to impress and possibly become a regular in your meal rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The secret to this Sesame Chicken’s amazing flavor lies in the sauce, which combines common pantry staples for maximum taste without complicated steps. This recipe is adaptable and allows you to customize ingredients to suit your preferences, whether that means adjusting the sweetness or spiciness.
Another highlight is how approachable this recipe is for beginner cooks. The step-by-step instructions guide you through the process, making it easy to create a restaurant-quality dish right at home. It’s a wonderful way to introduce new flavors into your cooking repertoire, adding excitement to your dining table!
Ingredients and Substitutions
This Sesame Chicken requires a handful of straightforward ingredients that you might already have at home. Here’s a breakdown:
- Sauce Ingredients:
- Low sodium soy sauce
- Ketchup
- Honey
- Brown sugar
- Sesame oil
- Rice vinegar
- Sweet chili sauce (or red pepper flakes, if you prefer heat)
- Garlic
- Cornstarch
- Chicken Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Eggs
- Cornstarch and flour (for coating)
- Salt and black pepper
- Canola or avocado oil (for cooking)
- For Serving:
- Cooked white or brown rice
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Feel free to substitute with coconut aminos for a soy-free version or add extra veggies like bell peppers or snap peas for a nutritional boost!
How to Make Sesame Chicken
Making this Sesame Chicken is a streamlined process that involves preparing the sauce, coating the chicken, and cooking it all together. Here’s how to get it done:
- Start by preparing the sauce. In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, ketchup, honey, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, sweet chili sauce (or red pepper flakes), minced garlic, and cornstarch. Set this aside.
- In a shallow dish, combine eggs, cornstarch, salt, and pepper, whisking until well mixed. In another shallow dish, place the flour.
- Coat the chicken pieces first in the egg mixture and then in the flour, ensuring you shake off any excess. Place them on a separate plate.
- Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the coated chicken pieces and cook them for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Be cautious to maintain the coating during this step.
- When the chicken is done, move it to one side of the pan. Pour the prepared sauce into the other side and cook while stirring until it thickens (about 1-2 minutes). Toss the chicken in the sauce to ensure it’s well-coated.
- Serve immediately over cooked rice, garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
Expert Tips for Success
- Make sure to cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces for quick and even cooking.
- Monitor the heat while cooking; reduce it if the chicken browns too quickly. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly.
- After mixing the chicken with the sauce, you can leave it on low heat for a few extra minutes if you prefer a less saucy outcome.
- When frying the chicken, avoid overcrowding the pan. You might need to cook in batches for the best results.
Variations
This Sesame Chicken recipe offers numerous ways to customize it to suit your taste preferences. You can easily make it spicier by increasing the amount of chili sauce or red pepper flakes. If you’re avoiding gluten, try using gluten-free soy sauce and breadcrumbs instead of traditional flour for coating.
For a more vibrant dish, consider adding vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, or snap peas during the last few minutes of cooking, allowing them to steam slightly in the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Sesame Chicken is delightfully served over a bed of warm, fluffy rice, which absorbs the sticky, flavorful sauce. Garnishing it with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds adds not only visual appeal but also enhances the dish’s flavor. Pair it with steamed broccoli or a simple side salad for a refreshing contrast.
Storage, Freezing, and Reheating
For leftovers, store the Sesame Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the microwave until heated through.
If you want to prepare a larger batch for the week, this dish can be frozen. However, note that the quality of the breading may be affected after being frozen. To freeze, store the chicken in a suitable container, separating layers with parchment paper for easy removal. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this Sesame Chicken in advance?
While you can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, it’s best to coat and cook the chicken fresh for optimal texture. However, you can marinate the chicken in the sauce a few hours before cooking for added flavor.
Is it possible to bake this sesame chicken instead of pan-frying?
Yes, you can bake the chicken! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place the coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through. Follow the same sauce preparation and combine after cooking.
Can I use different types of chicken?
Absolutely! While chicken breasts work well, you can also use boneless chicken thighs for a juicier option. Just ensure they are cut into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
What can I serve with Sesame Chicken?
This dish pairs excellently with white or brown rice, but you can also serve it over fried rice or quinoa. Steamed or stir-fried vegetables are great side dishes that complement the flavors beautifully.
How can I make it gluten-free?
To make Sesame Chicken gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce and choose gluten-free flour alternatives. Always check labels to ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce (or pinch red pepper flakes, optional but recommended)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons canola oil (or avocado oil)
- cooked white or brown rice
- chopped green onions
- sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisking until well combined. Set aside.
- In a wide, shallow dish or pie plate, combine the eggs, cornstarch, salt and pepper. Whisk until well combined.
- In a second wide, shallow dish, place the flour.
- Working in two batches, coat the chicken pieces first in the egg and cornstarch mixture and then in the flour, gently shaking off any excess. Place the coated chicken pieces on a clean plate.
- Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, use tongs to add the coated chicken pieces to the pan. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, stirring/flipping to help the chicken cook evenly, about 10 minutes. Be gentle when flipping the chicken pieces to keep the coating on the chicken. If the chicken is browning too much before it is cooked through, turn down the heat a little.
- Move the chicken pieces to one side of the pan. Pour the sauce into the other side of the pan. Cook, stirring the sauce, until it thickens, 1-2 minutes. Then gently toss the chicken pieces with the sauce. If desired, you can cook for 2-3 more minutes over low heat. This will make for a less saucy dish, but will make the sauce into a delicious sticky coating on the chicken.
- Serve immediately, over rice and sprinkled with chopped green onion and sesame seeds.
