Description: A delectable dish featuring crispy, golden-fried chicken coated in a sweet and savory sesame-infused sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients:
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1 pound), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Sauce:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
Preparation:
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Begin by cutting the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized, 1-inch pieces. This ensures even cooking and makes the chicken easy to eat. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl.
Step 2: Set Up the Breading Station
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. This dry mixture will provide a crispy coating for the chicken. In a separate shallow bowl, lightly beat the two large eggs. The egg wash will help the flour mixture adhere to the chicken.
Step 3: Bread the Chicken
Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated. Then, dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, pressing gently to coat all sides. Place the breaded chicken pieces on a clean plate or baking sheet, making sure they don’t touch each other. This will prevent the breading from becoming soggy.
Step 4: Prepare the Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, sugar, soy sauce, ketchup, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced ginger, cornstarch, and water. Ensure that the cornstarch is fully dissolved to prevent lumps in the sauce. Set the sauce aside.
Step 5: Fry the Chicken
Heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot enough to sizzle when a small piece of breading is dropped into it. Carefully place the breaded chicken pieces in the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the fried chicken from the pan and place it on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 6: Cook the Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce into a large pan or wok. Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir the sauce constantly to prevent it from sticking to the pan.
Step 7: Combine Chicken and Sauce
Add the fried chicken to the pan with the thickened sauce. Toss to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce, ensuring that each piece is well-covered.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Transfer the sesame chicken to a serving plate or bowl. Garnish with sesame seeds for added flavor and visual appeal. Serve immediately over rice.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This Chinese-style Sesame Chicken is a winner for several reasons:
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors in the sauce creates a truly irresistible taste experience.
- Crispy Texture: The crispy fried chicken provides a delightful contrast to the smooth, flavorful sauce.
- Quick and Easy: This recipe can be made in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Versatile: Serve it as a main course, appetizer, or snack.
- Kid-Friendly: The sweet and savory flavors are sure to please even the pickiest eaters.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the level of sweetness, spiciness, or saltiness to suit your personal preferences.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve over steamed white rice or brown rice.
- Serve with a side of steamed broccoli, green beans, or bok choy.
- Garnish with chopped green onions for added flavor and visual appeal.
- Serve with a side of egg rolls or spring rolls for a complete Chinese-inspired meal.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Serve the sesame chicken as an appetizer with toothpicks for easy snacking.
- Pair with a refreshing Asian-inspired salad.
- Add a drizzle of sriracha mayo for extra flavor.
- Serve with a side of fried rice or noodles.
- Make it a complete meal by adding a bowl of wonton soup or egg drop soup.
Tips:
- For extra crispy chicken, double-dip the chicken in the egg and flour mixtures.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the chicken to ensure it cooks properly and doesn’t absorb too much oil.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying the chicken. Fry in batches to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
- Adjust the amount of sugar and soy sauce in the sauce to suit your personal preference.
- For a thicker sauce, mix a little extra cornstarch with water and add it to the sauce while it’s simmering.
- Store leftover sesame chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.
- To make this recipe healthier, you can bake the chicken instead of frying it. Simply bake the breaded chicken in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through.
- If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar or white vinegar.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free all-purpose flour and tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Add other vegetables to the sauce, such as bell peppers, onions, or carrots.
- Use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs for a leaner option.
- If you don’t have fresh ginger, you can use ground ginger. Use about 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger for every 1 teaspoon of fresh ginger.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Nutritional Information: (Per serving, approximate)
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 30g
- Sodium: 800mg
Conclusion
This Chinese-style Sesame Chicken recipe is a delightful and easy way to enjoy a classic Asian-inspired dish at home. The combination of crispy chicken and flavorful sauce is sure to please everyone. With its quick preparation time and customizable ingredients, this recipe is a perfect addition to your weeknight dinner rotation. Enjoy!
Questions and Answers About This Recipe
- Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs? Yes, you can substitute chicken breast for chicken thighs in this recipe. Chicken breast is a leaner option, but it may not be as tender as chicken thighs. Make sure to cut the chicken breast into 1-inch pieces and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Can I bake the chicken instead of frying it? Yes, you can bake the chicken for a healthier alternative. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the breaded chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare the chicken and the sauce separately ahead of time. Store the fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Store the sauce in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, reheat the chicken and sauce separately, then combine them in a pan and toss to coat.
- Can I adjust the level of sweetness in the sauce? Yes, you can adjust the amount of sugar in the sauce to suit your personal preference. If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the amount of sugar. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add more sugar.
- What can I serve with this sesame chicken? Sesame chicken is delicious served over steamed rice (white or brown). It also pairs well with stir-fried vegetables, noodles, or a side salad. Consider adding a sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onions for extra flavor and visual appeal. You can also serve with a side of egg rolls or spring rolls for a complete meal.
