Sesame Chicken
Our Sesame Chicken is a delightful dish that combines ease of preparation with a comforting and savory flavor that’s perfect for any mealtime.
For our sauce, we combine soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and other simple spices. Then dip our chicken in a simple egg wash, fry it until it’s golden and crispy, and simmer it to perfection in our sweet and savory sesame sauce.
Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe Highlights
- Ready in just 25 minutes!
- Loved by adults and kids alike.
- Uses pantry staples for an easy shopping trip.
- Easy to adjust to your taste preferences.
Ingredient Notes
Please check the recipe card below for a detailed, printable ingredient list.
SAUCE INGREDIENTS – Combining soy sauce, sesame oil, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, sesame seeds, and cornstarch creates a harmonious blend. This mixture forms a rich, flavorful sauce with a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes, enhanced by the aromatic zest of ginger and garlic. Sesame seeds add a subtle crunch and nuttiness, while the cornstarch thickens the sauce, making sure that the sauce sticks to the chicken.
CHICKEN – We use boneless skinless chicken breasts for its lean texture and ability to absorb the sauce’s flavors, making each bite perfectly tender and juicy.
OILS – Vegetable oil or canola oil is used for frying because of its high smoke point and neutral flavor, allowing the natural tastes of the other ingredients to stand out. Sesame oil is included in the sauce for its intense, nutty flavor, which is essential to the dish’s overall taste profile.
EGG WASH – A simple mix of an egg and cornstarch creates a light batter that helps the flour coating stick to the chicken, ensuring a crispy exterior after frying.
How To Make Sesame Chicken
Please check the printable recipe card below for more detailed instructions.
- Whisk soy sauce, sesame oil, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame seeds, and cornstarch in a bowl.
- Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces and mix with egg, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add chicken and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden.
- Add sauce to chicken; simmer until thickened.
- Serve with green onions.
Planning and Leftovers
STORE – Keeping your Sesame Chicken tasting fresh is simple. Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll stay delicious for up to 3 days. Remember, the key is to keep it cool and covered.
FREEZE – If you find yourself with more Sesame Chicken than you can enjoy in a few days, freezing is a great option. Transfer the cooled chicken to a freezer-safe container or bag. It’ll keep well for about a month. This way, you’ve got a tasty meal ready to go whenever you need it.
REHEAT – To bring your Sesame Chicken back to life, reheating it properly is crucial. For the best results, warm it up in a pan over medium heat. Add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge. Stir gently until it’s heated through. This method helps maintain the chicken’s texture and the sauce’s rich flavor.
Serving Suggestions
RICE – A classic pairing that allows the flavors of the Sesame Chicken to shine, serving as a comforting base that absorbs the sauce beautifully.
VEGETABLE STIR-FRY – Mix up a colorful stir-fry of your favorite vegetables to add a fresh and crunchy contrast to the tender chicken.
NOODLES – Whether it’s soba, udon, or rice noodles, they make a hearty addition, turning the dish into a more filling meal.
SALAD – A light, crisp green salad dressed with a simple vinaigrette can offer a refreshing balance to the rich flavors of the chicken.
Recipe Success Tips
CHICKEN PIECES – Cutting the chicken into even sizes ensures that each piece cooks at the same rate. This uniformity means no more guessing if some pieces are done while others need more time. Aim for 1-inch pieces for the best texture and flavor distribution.
FRYING – Make sure your oil is hot before adding the chicken. You’re looking for that sizzle as soon as the chicken hits the pan. This not only seals in the juices but also gives the chicken that golden, crispy exterior we all love. A medium-high heat is your sweet spot.
SAUCE – When you add the sauce to the pan, let it simmer for a few minutes until it thickens. This step is crucial for achieving that rich, clingy sauce that beautifully coats each piece of chicken. It’s the simmer that turns a good dish into a great one by intensifying all the flavors.
FRESH INGREDIENTS – Using fresh ginger and cloves of garlic can make a noticeable difference in the depth of flavor of your Sesame Chicken. While it might be tempting to reach for powdered versions, taking the time to use fresh will elevate your dish to new heights.
SPICINESS – This dish is sweeter than it is spicy. If you want to add a little kick, add a ½-1 teaspoon of dried chili flakes to the sauce.
More Easy and Delicious Takeout Recipes
Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ginger grated fresh
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
For the Chicken
- 1 ½ pound chicken breast boneless, skinless
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or canola
- 2 stalks green onions slice
Instructions
- Whisk soy sauce, sesame oil, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, sesame seeds and half a tablespoon of cornstarch in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cut the chicken breast into 1 inch square pieces.
- Whisk the egg, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
- Coat the chicken in the egg mixture.
- Heat the canola oil in a large frying pan over medium heat until the oil is hot and bubbly.
- Place the chicken pieces into the frying pan in one even layer. Cook for 3-4 minutes without intervening.
- Carefully flip the chicken pieces over and cook the other side for an additional 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. (*notes)
- Pour the sauce into the pan and gently toss the cooked chicken and simmmer for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
Notes
FRYING TIP
Avoid flipping the chicken too much to avoid loosing the egg mixture around the outside.Nutritional Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Cheerful Cook team members are not trained nutritionists or medical professionals. Calorie information and nutritional values are estimates. If you have nutritional concerns, we recommend using a nutritional calculator.
Maike Corbett is the founder and food blogger of Cheerful Cook, a popular recipe website featuring comfort food recipes from the US and Germany. She has been featured in numerous media outlets, including the AP Wire and MSN.
So so so good! Even my toddlers ate it! Added some Siracha when it was done and it was perfect!