Skip the takeout menu and get restaurant-quality yumminess at home with this quick and easy recipe for an Asian-inspired fave!
Takeout food is such an easy dinner solution. But it can really add up—in terms of both money and calories. Whenever I can replicate a takeout dish at home, I feel like I’m winning at adulthood.
This recipe for crispy sesame chicken goes beyond the basics of stir-frying veggies and rice. It delivers tender, juicy chicken pieces with a light, crisp breading that are drenched in a savory-sweet sauce. You get the nuanced and complex flavors of a restaurant meal without venturing out for pickup or waiting for delivery!
The best part about this recipe is how quickly it comes together. The steps might look like a lot at first glance—but they’re really quite simple and require only beginner-level kitchen skills. In fact, I find that cleaning up the dishes is the most difficult part of making this dish!
Tips for next-level sesame chicken bites
- To really amp up the flavor and moisture of your chicken, marinate the pieces for five to 10 minutes in one teaspoon of soy sauce and a dash of white pepper before dredging.
- Use chicken thigh meat for a juicier result that’ll feel richer than breast meat.
- Swap cornstarch for potato starch in your dredge mixture for even lighter, shatteringly crisp results.
- Stir buttermilk or yogurt into the egg dip for a tangy, slightly looser crust.
- For a crispier crust, do a double dredge: Coat the chicken in the flour-cornstarch mix first, then dip in egg, then return to the flour mix—then repeat the flour-egg-flour dip in a complete second pass.
- Add minced garlic and/or ginger to the sauce for a bolder flavor.
How do I store leftovers?
Let your crispy sesame chicken cool completely before storing, but don’t leave it at room temp for more than 2 hours. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The chicken will lose some of its crisp texture as it sits in the sauce, but it will still taste delicious. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat to get back a little crispness. Or microwave in short bursts until piping hot throughout, but the chicken may get soggy. It is possible to freeze this dish for up to 3 months in freezer-safe containers or bags—but expect a much softer texture. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating as outlined above.
Serving suggestions
Serve your crispy sesame chicken alongside other Asian-inspired dishes for a takeout-quality meal at home. Start with a bed of Baked Rice or Avocado Rice. Then add this Fried Wonton Recipe and a Korean Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim) for fresh authenticity. Finish with Almond Café Cookies.
Crispy Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
For The Chicken:
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Pinch of salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 chicken breast cut into bite-size chunks
- Vegetable oil for frying
For The Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds plus more for optional garnish
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch for thickening slurry
For Garnish:
- Green onions sliced, optional
Instructions
Cook The Chicken:
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and pinch of salt. In another bowl, beat the eggs.
- Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, then dip in the beaten eggs, then return to the flour mixture for a second coat.
- Heat 1-2 inches of oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat to 350°F. Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 3–5 minutes, turning for even color, until golden and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate or rack to drain off excess oil.
Make The Sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sesame oil, sesame seeds, brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ketchup, and honey. Stir to combine.
- In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 2 teaspoons cold water. Stir the slurry into the sauce.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to low. Simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened and glossy, about 2-3 minutes.
Assemble And Serve The Dish:
- Add the fried chicken pieces to the hot sauce in the pan. Toss to coat evenly.
- Garnish with extra sesame seeds and sliced green onions, if desired, and serve immediately.
For the Crispy Sesame Chicken Dinner- If you are having more than person for dinner, you will need more than one chicken breast,
what about the rest of the ingredients for the sauce?
Hey there! If you’re expecting more dinner guests, just adjust the ingredients accordingly. For example, if you’re cooking for 4 people, simply double the amount of chicken and sauce ingredients. Happy cooking!