Comfort food often brings warmth and satisfaction, and this sesame chicken fits that description perfectly. It’s a delightful blend of crispy chicken tossed in a sweet, savory sauce that can be enjoyed on weeknights, weekends, or at gatherings. The simplicity of preparing this dish, combined with its flexible nature, makes it ideal for those quiet moments when you want something tasty with minimal fuss. Let’s dive into making this comforting meal.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Best Sesame Chicken
This sesame chicken recipe stands out for its ease and reliability. With straightforward steps, it brings balanced flavors to your table, ensuring everyone enjoys a meal that feels comforting and satisfying. The sweetness from the honey and ketchup pairs deliciously with the savory soy sauce, making this dish a favorite for everyday dinners. You will find that the practical nature of this recipe means you can return to it again and again.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Wide, shallow dishes
- Tongs
- Clean plate
Ingredients
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce (salty flavor)
- ¼ cup ketchup (adds sweetness and tang)
- 2 tablespoons honey (natural sweetness)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (enhances depth of flavor)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (nutty aroma)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (adds slight acidity)
- 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce or pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced, for aromatic flavor)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (thickens sauce)
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces, for tender meat)
- 2 large eggs (act as a binding agent)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch (for coating, adds crispiness)
- ½ teaspoon salt (enhances overall flavor)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (adds mild heat)
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour (creates a crispy crust)
- 2 tablespoons canola oil or avocado oil (for frying)
- Cooked white or brown rice (for serving, provides a hearty base)
- Chopped green onions (for garnish, adds freshness)
- Sesame seeds (for garnish, adds crunch)
How to Make Easy Best Sesame Chicken Recipe
Step 1. Begin by preparing the sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine the low sodium soy sauce, ketchup, honey, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sweet chili sauce (if using). Whisk the ingredients together until they are fully blended and set this mixture aside for later use. This sauce will provide a deliciously sweet and savory flavor that envelops the chicken.
Step 2. Next, take a wide, shallow dish or a pie plate, and mix together the eggs, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Whisk the mixture until all the ingredients are well combined. This mixture will help the flour adhere to the chicken, creating that desirable crispy coating.
Step 3. In a second wide, shallow dish, place the all-purpose flour. This is where the coated chicken will get a final layer for crunch. The flour acts as the outer layer that gives the chicken a nice texture once cooked.
Step 4. It’s time to coat the chicken. Working in two batches, take the chicken pieces and first dip them into the egg and cornstarch mixture, ensuring they are well covered. Then, transfer them to the dish with flour, gently shaking off any excess as you go. Place the coated chicken pieces on a clean plate. The coating will help create a crispy texture that’s enjoyable to bite into.
Step 5. Heat the canola or avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is sufficiently hot, use tongs to add the coated chicken pieces into the pan. Cook them until they are browned and completely cooked through, which should take about ten minutes. Stir or flip the pieces occasionally to promote even cooking. Be gentle when flipping to keep the coating intact.
Step 6. When the chicken has reached a golden brown color and is cooked throughout, push the pieces to one side of the pan. Pour the prepared sauce into the empty side of the skillet. Stir the sauce as it cooks for about one to two minutes until it begins to thicken. This thickening is a sign that it’s ready to coat the chicken.
Step 7. Gently toss the chicken pieces in the sauce, ensuring they are well coated. If you prefer a stickier coating, you can cook the chicken and sauce together for another two to three minutes over low heat. This will help the sauce adhere firmly to the chicken.
Step 8. Serve the sesame chicken immediately, placing it over a bed of cooked rice. For an appealing finish, sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. This presentation not only adds a nice visual element but also enhances the flavor with fresh and nutty notes.
Serving Suggestions
This sesame chicken can be enjoyed in various settings, making it versatile for different meals. It works wonderfully for dinner on busy weeknights or even as a special dish for weekend gatherings. The leftovers can be tastefully repurposed for quick lunches or enjoyed as snacks throughout the day. Its comforting nature ensures that it remains a family favorite, perfect for soothing cravings.
Pro Tips for Best Results
- Ensure your oil is hot enough before adding chicken; this helps achieve a crispier texture.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan, as it can lead to uneven cooking and a lack of crispiness.
- Let the sauce thicken properly before tossing it with the chicken to enhance coating.
- For a more intense flavor, allow the coated chicken to rest for 15 minutes before frying.
- Garnish just before serving to maintain the freshness of green onions and sesame seeds.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not using low sodium soy sauce: This can make the dish overly salty. Use low sodium varieties for balanced flavors.
- Skipping the cornstarch: Omitting cornstarch in the egg mix can lead to the flour not adhering well to the chicken. Ensure you include it for better coating.
- Overcrowding the skillet: Placing too much chicken in the pan at once can result in uneven cooking. Cook in batches for best results.
- Using cold oil: Cold oil leads to soggy chicken. Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding the chicken to fry properly.
- Not letting the sauce thicken: Pouring the sauce in too early or not letting it thicken can affect the coating. Allow proper thicken time.
- Overcooking or undercooking the chicken: This affects both texture and safety. Ensure the chicken is cooked through but not dried out.
Variations & Substitutions
If desired, you can adjust the heat level of the dish by substituting sweet chili sauce with red pepper flakes, depending on your preference. For a lighter touch, you might consider using chicken thighs instead of breasts. Additionally, feel free to add vegetables like broccoli or bell peppers to the dish during the last few minutes of cooking for added color and nutrition.
Storage & Reheating
For room-temperature storage, aim to consume leftovers within two hours after cooking. In the refrigerator, store the sesame chicken in an airtight container for up to three days. It can also be frozen for longer storage, ideally for three months. When reheating, the best method is to warm it in a skillet over medium heat with a little splash of water or oil to maintain its crispiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce separately ahead of time. Store both in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, simply reheat and combine them.
How long does it last in the fridge?
The sesame chicken can last for three days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.
Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes, this dish freezes well. Ensure it’s in an airtight container and can be kept for up to three months.
What can I substitute for one ingredient?
If you’re missing sweet chili sauce, you can use a pinch of red pepper flakes for a mild heat.
Why didn’t my recipe turn out as expected?
Common issues arise from not following cooking times or temperatures, such as undercooked chicken or overly salty sauce. Ensure you watch the cooking process carefully.
Final Thoughts
Making sesame chicken is a wonderfully straightforward process that results in a dish full of comforting flavors and textures. Whether you’re serving it right away or enjoying the leftovers, the practicality of this recipe makes it a reliable choice that can easily fit into your regular meal rotation. Embrace the simplicity and warm flavors, and trust that this will become a recipe you’ll return to time and again.
Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
For the Sauce
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce adds salty flavor
- ¼ cup ketchup adds sweetness and tang
- 2 tablespoons honey natural sweetness
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar enhances depth of flavor
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil nutty aroma
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar adds slight acidity
- 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce optional, for heat
- 3 cloves garlic, minced for aromatic flavor
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch thickens sauce
For the Chicken
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces for tender meat
- 2 large eggs act as a binding agent
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch for coating, adds crispiness
- ½ teaspoon salt enhances overall flavor
- ½ teaspoon black pepper adds mild heat
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour creates a crispy crust
- 2 tablespoons canola oil or avocado oil for frying
- 1 serving cooked white or brown rice provides a hearty base
- as needed garnish chopped green onions adds freshness
- as needed garnish sesame seeds adds crunch
Instructions
Preparation
- In a mixing bowl, combine the low sodium soy sauce, ketchup, honey, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sweet chili sauce. Whisk until fully blended and set aside.
- In a wide, shallow dish, mix together the eggs, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until well combined.
- In a second wide, shallow dish, place the all-purpose flour.
Coating the Chicken
- Dip chicken pieces into the egg and cornstarch mixture, ensuring they are well covered. Transfer to the dish with flour and gently shake off any excess.
- Place coated chicken on a clean plate.
Cooking
- Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the coated chicken pieces to the pan and cook until browned and cooked through, about ten minutes, flipping occasionally.
- When chicken is golden brown, push to one side of the pan and pour the prepared sauce into the empty side. Stir sauce for about 1-2 minutes until it begins to thicken.
- Gently toss the chicken pieces in the sauce until well coated. For a stickier coating, cook together for another 2-3 minutes over low heat.
- Serve immediately over cooked rice, garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds.
