Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

Published: by Anna 59 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Rate this Recipe

Easy Sesame Chicken is abattered chicken fried in a pan and coated with sesame sauce. Popular Asian takeout dish, made easily at home.

If you like to cook takeout at home, you may also like my recipe for Korean Beef Tacos or Orange Chicken. I serve them all with my Instant Pot Rice.

Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (1)
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients:
  • How to make sesame chicken?
  • Chicken breast vs. thighs:
  • The sesame sauce:
  • Variations:
  • More easy Asian dinners:
  • Easy Sesame Chicken

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Thursdays in our house are for Asian dinners. If I am not making my Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls,I am whipping up this Easy Sesame Chicken. There is an additional step of dipping the chicken in the batter, comparing to the other recipes, but it's totally worth it and very quick. As always, my goal is to make the recipe as easy as possible.

This Easy Sesame Chicken is so flavorful and delicious, you will add it to your weekly menu. It's so easy to make, and since the sauce can be made ahead of time and the recipe calls for chicken thighs, this recipe is a budget-friendly time-saver. Perfect for busy weeknights!

Ingredients:

  • chicken - I used skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces. Use chicken breast if you prefer it.
  • egg - Binding ingredient for the coating.
  • cornstarch - Used to make the coating for chicken that gives it that crispy texture.
  • sesame oil - The star of the sauce! This oil is very potent so start with a small amount and adjust to your taste.
  • soy sauce - The base of most Asian sauces. I always use low-sodium soy sauce.
  • rice vinegar - Used to make the sesame sauce. You can substitute it with regular vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
  • brown sugar - Gives the sauce a sweet flavor. You can use honey in its place.
  • garlic and ginger - This aromatic combo is used in many Asian dishes.
  • water or chicken stock - Used to thin out the sauce.
  • sesame seeds - I use the toasted sesame seeds to garnish the finished dish.

How to make sesame chicken?

  • Cut chicken thighs into bite-size pieces.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
  • Add cut chicken to the egg mixture and stir to coat.
  • Heat up olive oil in a pan and drop the coated chicken pieces to cook. It's easier to do that in two batches to make sure each piece is cooked.
  • Next, pour the sauce mixture over the chicken and simmer on medium-low heat until the sauce thickens.
Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2)

Chicken breast vs. thighs:

One difference you can see in this recipe compared to my other Asian dishes, is that it calls for chicken thighs. You can, of course, use boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces. However, most Sesame Chicken recipes use chicken thighs. They have more flavor because it's dark meat. It also makes this dish very budget friendly.

The sesame sauce:

Sesame chicken sauce is very similar to Teriyaki Sauce, but with more sesame flavor and more vinegar. It's less sweet and more sour with a delicious nutty flavor. All thanks to sesame oil, a very potent and popular ingredient in Asian cooking. You only need 1 teaspoon of it to add a rich nutty flavor to the sauce. You can adjust the sauce to your taste and add more brown sugar or honey. Don't forget to add the sesame seeds. I prefer them toasted.

The sauce can be made ahead of time and refrigerated until you are ready to use it OR you can make a larger batch, simmer it in a saucepan until thickened, and store in a jar with a lid. Use in any Asian dishes.

Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (3)

Variations:

  • spicy: add 2 teaspoons of sweet chili sauce to the sauce ingredients before adding to the chicken. Add crushed red peppers if you like even more heat.
  • baked: instead of frying the chicken in a pan, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange coated chicken on a sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes at 375 degrees F.
  • skinny: to cut down on calories, skip the cornstarch coating for chicken and brown chicken pieces in olive oil in a pan. Add sauce and simmer until thickened.
  • honey: add 3 tablespoons of honey in place of brown sugar, to the sauce mixture. Whisk and add to the chicken.
  • stir fry: add Asian vegetable mix (available in the frozen section in grocery stores) and noodles or cooked rice to the chicken mixture in the pan. Heat everything up and serve!
Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (4)

More easy Asian dinners:

  • Quick Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls Recipe
  • General Tso's Chicken
  • Korean Chicken
  • Easy Cashew Chicken

Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (9)

If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!

Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (10)

Easy Sesame Chicken

Battered chicken fried in a pan and coated with sesame sauce. Popular Asian takeout dish, made easily at home.

4.80 from 35 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4 people

Calories 309 kcal

Ingredients

for the chicken:

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite size pieces
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided

for the sauce:

  • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice or apple cider vinegar
  • ¾ teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • ½ cup of water or chicken stock

to serve:

  • rice
  • steamed vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, carrots, baby corn

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients for the sauce. Set aside.

    ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice or apple cider vinegar, ¾ teaspoon sesame oil, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, ½ cup of water or chicken stock

  • Cook rice and steam vegetables. Set aside.

    rice, steamed vegetables

  • In a small bowl, whisk egg with cornstarch, salt and pepper. Add chicken pieces to the batter and stir well.

    1 large egg, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper

  • In a large skillet, heat up 1 tablespoons of olive oil. Place chicken, piece by piece, in pan and cook on all sides until the batter is golden and slightly brown. It's easier to cook the chicken in two batches, using 1 tablespoon of oil each time.

    1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • Once the chicken is done, pour sauce mixture over it and simmer on medium low heat until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat.

  • Serve chicken over rice with a side of steamed vegetables.

Notes

Play with the recipe and make other versions:

  • spicy:add 2 teaspoons of sweet chili sauce to the sauce ingredients before adding to chicken. Add crushed red peppers if you like even more heat.
  • baked:instead of frying the chicken in a pan, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange coated chicken on sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in 375 degrees F.
  • skinny:to cut down on calories, skip the cornstarch coating for chicken and brown chicken pieces in olive oil in pan. Add sauce and simmer until thickened.
  • honey:add 3 tablespoons of honey in place of brown sugar, to sauce mixture. Whisk and add to chicken.
  • stir fry:add Asian vegetable mix (available in the frozen section in grocery stores) and noodles or cooked rice to the chicken mixture in the pan. Heat everything up and serve!

Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

Nutrition

Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 1475mg | Potassium: 362mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 85IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 1.9mg

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

More Dinner Recipes

  • Cheesy Taco Pasta
  • Chicken Gloria
  • Easy One Pot Chicken and Rice
  • Chicken Florentine

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Did you make this recipe? Let me know!

  1. Marley Pittman says

    Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (15)
    LOVE this recipe. It’s my go to for homemade Chinese food. I use it all the time and it’s so good!

    Reply

  2. Chuck says

    Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (16)
    Excellent recipe. Something new for us to try and results were outstanding. If anything, we would add some red pepper flakes to the chili sauce(which we added) for some additional heat.

    Reply

    • Anna says

      Thanks so much, Chuck! I'm so glad the recipe is a hit!

      Reply

  3. Daniel says

    This recipe has been a hit to my ego that I might never recover from. I have made grave errors throughout my life, but finally, I have been bruised by falling to rock bottom. In all honesty I forgot to use low sodium soy sauce and it was hella salty.

    Reply

    • Anna says

      Haha! I hope you gave it another try with a low-sodium soy sauce, Daniel!

      Reply

« Older Comments

Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe - Crunchy Creamy Sweet (2024)

FAQs

What is the sauce made of in sesame chicken? ›

In a separate bowl, create your sauce by combining light soy sauce, ketchup, chicken stock, sugar, honey, and sesame oil. Mix until well combined and set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, white pepper, and baking powder.

Why is sesame chicken so sweet? ›

The dish involves chicken (usually thigh) pieces that are de-boned, battered and Chinese deep-fried, then dressed with a translucent, reddish-brown, semi-thick, somewhat sweet sauce made from corn starch, vinegar, wine or sake, chicken broth and sugar, the last of which is a major contributor to sesame chicken's ...

What's the difference between sesame chicken and general? ›

General Tso's chicken is a spicy and tangy dish made with a mix of chicken breast and thighs, while sesame chicken is a sweeter option made with succulent chicken thighs. Whether you're in the mood for something spicy or sweet, both dishes offer a delicious and crispy meal that's sure to satisfy your cravings."

What does Chinese sesame chicken have in it? ›

For the Sauce: Combine soy sauce, wine, vinegar, chicken stock, sugar, sesame seed oil, and cornstarch in a small bowl and stir with a fork until cornstarch is dissolved and no lumps remain. Set aside. Combine oil, garlic, ginger, and minced scallions in a large skillet and place over medium heat.

Is Chinese sesame chicken good for you? ›

Sesame chicken is one of the more egregiously unhealthy options on the Chinese menu. And it's more addictive than crack. The combination of deep fried chicken coated with a sauce that is 75 percent sugar, basically gives your saliva glands a pleasure-induced panic attack.

Is sesame chicken Chinese or Japanese? ›

The dish hails from the southern Chinese region of Guangdong. It's claimed to have begun in the 1980s, when Hong Kong's now-defunct Red Chamber Restaurant created a dish combining sesame oil and sesame seeds. The dish's popularity eventually expanded to Northern China, where it is still popular today.

What is the difference between General Tso chicken and honey sesame chicken? ›

Sesame chicken's sauce accentuates the flavor of sesame and is a brown sugar/honey based sauce. General Tso's chicken's sauce is more pungent with hoisin, ginger and rice vinegar. When they do have in common is soy sauce and corn starch.

How do Chinese get their chicken so crispy? ›

The chicken is then air-dried for 10 to 12 hours before being flash-fried, then oil-poached. The skin gets its signature crispiness from 10 to 12 minutes of basting with scalding hot oil right before serving.

What powder makes chicken crispy? ›

That trick is a sprinkling of baking powder, and it'll get you the crispiest, crackliest bites of fatty, salty skin imaginable, whether you're cooking just one thigh, a plate of wings, or an entire bird. Baking powder, it turns out, is good for quite a lot more than baking.

What oil makes chicken crispy? ›

Lard is a great choice for frying chicken because it gives your chicken an excellent flavor and unparalleled crispy crust.

Which is sweeter General Tso or sesame chicken? ›

Sesame Chicken is typically salty with a hint of sweetness, served with sesame seeds. General Tsos is typically sweeter with a little more heat and served with broccoli and carrots. The sauce is usually more red in color than the brown sauce served with sesame chicken.

Which is better General Tso or sesame chicken? ›

What is better General Tso or sesame chicken? It all comes down to personal taste. Some people prefer the sweeter, less spicy taste of sesame chicken. Others like it hot, and craze the chili kick of general tso chicken.

What is grandfather chicken? ›

Grandfather's Chicken is typically prepared by marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and other seasonings. The marinated chicken is then either pan-fried or braised until it is cooked through and the flavors have infused into the meat.

Does sesame chicken contain soy sauce? ›

Sesame chicken sauce is a balanced combination of sweet, sour and spicy that comes from light soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar and sugar.

What is in Chinese sauce? ›

Chinese Sauces – FAQs

Hoisin sauce is made from fermented soybeans mixed with garlic, chilli, sesame, Chinese spices and vinegar. Char siu sauce is a condiment made from hoisin sauce, sugar, Chinese five spice powder, Chinese cooking wine, soy sauce, garlic and often also food colouring.

Is tahini sauce the same as sesame sauce? ›

Tahini is sometimes listed as a substitute for sesame paste, but in my mind, the two aren't interchangeable. Though tahini is also made from white sesame seeds, those seeds are usually untoasted or lightly toasted. By comparison, toasted sesame paste is more assertive and aromatic and also thicker in texture.

What does Chinese sesame sauce taste like? ›

Chinese sesame paste is made with hulled seeds that are roasted before they're ground into a thick, coarse paste that takes on a dark tanned hue. On its own, its flavor is similar to unsalted peanut butter with the intensity of fresh-pressed sesame oil.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. Nancy Dach

Last Updated:

Views: 6376

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. Nancy Dach

Birthday: 1993-08-23

Address: 569 Waelchi Ports, South Blainebury, LA 11589

Phone: +9958996486049

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Web surfing, Scuba diving, Mountaineering, Writing, Sailing, Dance, Blacksmithing

Introduction: My name is Prof. Nancy Dach, I am a lively, joyous, courageous, lovely, tender, charming, open person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.