Sizzling Sesame Chicken Recipe: Sweet & Savory Homemade Joy

Crispy, golden sesame chicken dances on the edge of culinary perfection, promising a flavor explosion that will make your taste buds sing.

Every bite brings a delightful crunch and sweet-savory harmony.

Kitchen magic happens when simple ingredients combine with clever techniques.

Tender chicken pieces get coated in a glossy, irresistible sauce that whispers of Asian-inspired comfort.

Homemade beats takeout every single time with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Spice levels can easily adjust to match your personal preference.

You’ll want to bookmark this dish for those nights when only something spectacular will do.

Why Sesame Chicken Is Always a Crowd-Pleaser

• Craft Crispy Perfection: Achieve restaurant-quality golden-brown chicken with a simple frying technique that guarantees maximum crunch and flavor in every bite.
• Maximize Flavor Layers: Develop deep, complex taste through strategic marinating and sauce reduction, transforming basic chicken into a mouthwatering dish that tingles taste buds.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Prepare a gourmet-style meal in under an hour, making this recipe perfect for busy home cooks craving something special without complicated steps.
• Customize with Ease: Adjust spice levels and garnishes to suit personal preferences, allowing flexibility for different palates and dietary needs while maintaining the recipe's core deliciousness.

Sesame Chicken Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken Thighs: A tender and flavorful meat cut that provides the main protein for this delicious dish.

• Soy Sauce, Honey, Rice Vinegar, Sesame Oil: A balanced blend that creates a sweet, tangy, and rich flavor profile for the chicken.
• Garlic, Ginger: Aromatic ingredients that add depth and complexity to the marinade.

• Cornstarch: A key ingredient that helps create a crispy and golden exterior for the chicken.
• Vegetable Oil: Provides the medium for frying and achieving a perfect crisp texture.
• Sesame Seeds, Red Pepper Flakes: Toppings that add visual appeal and extra layers of flavor and texture.

• Green Onions: A fresh garnish that brings brightness and color to the dish.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the chicken.

How to Make Sesame Chicken at Home

Step 1: Slice Chicken into Bite-Sized Pieces

Grab your chicken thighs and transform them into perfect, uniform chunks that will cook evenly and look stunning on the plate.

Step 2: Whip Up Flavor-Packed Marinade

• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger

Whisk everything together in a mixing bowl until beautifully blended.

Step 3: Bathe Chicken in Marinade

Pour the marinade over the chicken pieces, ensuring every single morsel gets completely coated. Let the chicken soak up those incredible flavors for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.

Step 4: Drain and Prep Chicken

Remove chicken from marinade, keeping the liquid for later sauce magic. Save that flavor bomb!

Step 5: Create Crispy Coating

Dust chicken pieces with cornstarch, making sure each chunk is perfectly and thoroughly covered for maximum crispiness.

Step 6: Fire Up the Skillet

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s shimmering and ready for action, around 350°F.

Step 7: Fry to Golden Perfection

Gently place coated chicken into the hot oil, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and develop an irresistible crunch.

Step 8: Drain Excess Oil

Transfer chicken to paper towels to remove any extra oil, keeping those pieces wonderfully crisp.

Step 9: Transform Marinade into Sauce

Pour reserved marinade into the same skillet, simmering 2-3 minutes until it thickens into a luxurious coating.

Step 10: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return chicken to the skillet, tossing to ensure every piece gets drenched in that incredible sauce.

Step 11: Add Texture and Spark

Sprinkle sesame seeds and red pepper flakes over the chicken, creating a flavor explosion with exciting texture.

Step 12: Fresh Finishing Touch

Scatter finely chopped green onions across the top for a pop of color and freshness.

Step 13: Final Seasoning

Adjust taste with a pinch of salt and black pepper to make the flavors sing.

Step 14: Serve and Devour

Plate immediately while the chicken is hot, crispy, and absolutely irresistible.

Top Tips for Flavorful Sesame Chicken

• Maximize Marinating: Let chicken soak in marinade at room temperature to enhance flavor absorption and ensure tender, juicy meat.
• Perfect Cornstarch Coating: Pat chicken dry before dusting with cornstarch to create an extra crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture.
• Oil Temperature Control: Use a thermometer to maintain consistent 350°F oil heat, preventing soggy or burnt chicken pieces during frying.
• Sauce Reduction Trick: Simmer reserved marinade until slightly thickened, concentrating flavors and creating a glossy, restaurant-quality finish.
• Quick Serving Strategy: Plate and garnish immediately after cooking to preserve the chicken's crispy texture and optimal temperature.

Sesame Chicken Style Options to Try

• Spicy Honey Sesame Chicken: Amplify heat by adding sriracha or chili oil to the marinade, creating a fiery version with sweet-hot balance.
• Gluten-Free Asian Option: Replace soy sauce with tamari, use gluten-free cornstarch, ensuring celiac-friendly preparation without compromising flavor.
• Baked Lighter Version: Skip deep-frying by baking chicken on a wire rack at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, achieving crispy exterior with reduced oil content.
• Nutty Sesame Crunch: Incorporate crushed almonds or cashews into cornstarch coating, adding extra texture and rich, toasted undertones to the chicken.

What Goes Best with Sesame Chicken

• Elevate Sesame Chicken Flavor Pairings
• Refresh with Crisp Asian Slaw: Combine shredded cabbage, carrots, and cucumber with rice vinegar dressing to cut through the chicken's richness and provide a crunchy, tangy contrast.
• Match with Jasmine Rice Pilaf: Prepare fluffy jasmine rice with toasted sesame seeds and a hint of ginger, creating a complementary base that absorbs the chicken's savory sauce beautifully.
• Complement with Chilled Green Tea: Brew a light, slightly grassy green tea that cleanses the palate and balances the dish's bold, crispy flavors with its subtle, refreshing notes.

Store and Reheat Sesame Chicken the Easy Way

• Store leftover sesame chicken in an airtight container, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Ensure the container is sealed tightly to prevent moisture and maintain crispy texture.
• Wrap individual portions of cooled chicken in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and store up to 2 months. Freeze without sauce to prevent soggy texture.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Spread pieces on a baking sheet to restore crispiness. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy coating.
• Keep leftover sauce separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Sesame Chicken Questions Answered

• What makes the coating crispy?

Dusting chicken with cornstarch creates a thin, crisp exterior that helps seal in moisture and provides a golden-brown crunch when fried.

• Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breast works well, but thighs tend to be more flavorful and stay juicier during cooking. Just ensure you cut them to similar bite-sized pieces.

• How hot should the oil be for frying?

Aim for around 350°F. If the oil isn’t hot enough, chicken will absorb too much oil and become greasy. If too hot, the outside burns before the inside cooks.

• Why marinate the chicken?

Marinating infuses the chicken with deep flavors from soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger, tenderizing the meat and adding complexity to the overall taste profile.

Sesame Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 30-32 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Homemade sesame chicken brings classic Chinese-American comfort right to your kitchen with crispy, golden-brown morsels glazed in sweet and tangy sauce. Succulent chicken pieces coated in toasted sesame seeds create an irresistible dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 3 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp ginger
• 1/4 cup cornstarch

Garnish and Extras:

• 2 green onions
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Trim chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform cuts for even cooking.
2. Create a marinating blend by whisking soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing bowl.
3. Pour marinade over chicken pieces, coating thoroughly and let rest for 15-20 minutes at room temperature.
4. Drain chicken from marinade, reserving liquid for later sauce preparation.
5. Dust chicken pieces with cornstarch, ensuring each chunk is completely and evenly coated.
6. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, approximately 350°F.
7. Carefully place coated chicken pieces into hot oil, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
8. Remove chicken and drain excess oil on paper towels.
9. In the same skillet, pour reserved marinade and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
10. Return chicken to skillet, tossing to coat with reduced sauce.
11. Sprinkle sesame seeds and red pepper flakes over chicken, creating a textural and flavor-rich coating.
12. Garnish with finely chopped green onions.
13. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
14. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Notes

• Always use fresh, high-quality chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness.
• Pat chicken pieces completely dry before coating with cornstarch to achieve an extra crispy exterior.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350°F to prevent soggy or burnt chicken pieces.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.
• Experiment with adding crushed red pepper or sriracha for an extra spicy kick.
• Let marinated chicken come to room temperature before cooking to ensure even heat distribution.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Toast sesame seeds briefly in a dry pan to enhance their nutty flavor before sprinkling.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg