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Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe

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3.9 from 9 reviews

Enjoy the crispy, flavorful goodness of Easy Sesame Chicken that brings your favorite Chinese takeout classic to your kitchen in under 30 minutes. This recipe features tender chicken thigh pieces coated in a light tempura batter, deep-fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a savory-sweet sesame sauce with a hint of heat and toasted sesame seeds.

  • Author: Zara
  • Prep Time: 12 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 5 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Sesame Chicken Sauce Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon corn starch
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds

Tempura Batter:

  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1/2 cup cold seltzer water

Chicken:

  • 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into 1 inch chunks
  • Vegetable oil, for deep frying
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, corn starch, water, sesame oil, and sesame seeds until fully combined. Set aside.
  2. Make the Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk cornstarch, flour, egg whites, and cold seltzer water until just combined to form a tempura-style batter. Avoid over-mixing to keep the batter light and airy. Add the chicken pieces into the batter and ensure each piece is well coated.
  3. Deep Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C), about 3 inches deep. Carefully add battered chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each batch until golden brown and crispy, approximately 4-5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  4. Sauté Aromatics: In a wok or large skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of sesame oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  5. Toss Chicken in Sauce: Pour the prepared sesame sauce into the wok with the garlic and chili. Add the fried chicken pieces and quickly toss to evenly coat the chicken with the sauce. Remove from heat immediately to prevent the sauce from thickening too much.
  6. Serve: Plate the coated chicken and garnish with extra sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful chicken that stays tender after frying.
  • Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for perfectly crispy chicken without greasiness.
  • Do not overmix the batter; a slightly lumpy batter leads to a lighter, crispier coating.
  • If desired, add extra crushed red pepper flakes for more heat or add chopped scallions for freshness.
  • Serve with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.

Find it online: https://zaracooking.com/easy-sesame-chicken-recipe/