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Crispy Sesame Chicken

Crispy Sesame Chicken
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Crispy Sesame Chicken is a deliciously crunchy and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces coated in a golden, crisp crust and glazed with a sticky, tangy sesame sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight meals or family dinners, this recipe balances a bold savory-sweet glaze with an irresistible crunch, all made easily with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 1 lb chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup cornstarch or arrowroot
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (about 1-2 cups)

Sesame Sauce

  • 3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced

Garnishes

  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Cut your chicken breasts or thighs into bite-sized pieces. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure the coating adheres well and results in a crispy texture. Set aside.
  2. Make the Coating Mixture: Beat the eggs in one bowl. Place the cornstarch or arrowroot in another. Dip each chicken piece first into the beaten eggs, then coat it generously with cornstarch, ensuring every piece is well covered to achieve the signature crunch.
  3. Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, which helps maintain oil temperature and crispiness. Cook each batch for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crisp on all sides. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
  4. Prepare the Sesame Sauce: In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, honey or brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and ginger. Stir thoroughly to combine the sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors into a cohesive glaze.
  5. Toss and Glaze: Return the fried chicken pieces to the pan over low heat. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and quickly toss everything together to evenly coat each piece with the sticky glaze. Finish by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions on top for added texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Pat chicken pieces dry for maximum crispiness and to avoid soggy coating.
  • Fry chicken in batches to keep the oil temperature steady and ensure a crispy crust.
  • Use fresh garlic and ginger to enhance the sauce’s flavor complexity.
  • Toss the chicken in sauce immediately after frying while still hot to maintain a crisp yet saucy texture.
  • Allow fried chicken to drain briefly on paper towels before glazing to remove excess oil for better crunch.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy sesame chicken, sesame chicken recipe, crunchy chicken, sweet and savory chicken, quick chicken recipe, gluten-free sesame chicken

Find it online: https://mealsbysarah.com/crispy-sesame-chicken/