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I’ve always had a weakness for that sticky, sweet-and-savory sesame chicken from the local Chinese takeout, but let’s be honest, it’s often loaded with more oil than I care to count. That’s why I love whipping up my own Easy Sesame Chicken right in my kitchen—it captures all the flavor without the guilt or the wait for delivery. In just about 30 minutes, you can have tender chicken bites coated in a glossy sesame sauce that’s perfect over rice. What I find interesting is how this Easy Sesame Chicken has become a weeknight staple for me, especially after a long day when I crave something comforting yet quick.
Here’s the thing: you don’t need fancy ingredients or hours of simmering to get that restaurant-quality taste. I’ve tweaked this recipe over time based on what works in my busy life, and now I’m excited to share it with you. Whether you’re feeding the family or just treating yourself, this Easy Sesame Chicken will have everyone asking for seconds. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll be your go-to for Asian-inspired dinners.
Key Takeaways:
- Easy Sesame Chicken is ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy evenings.
- It uses simple pantry staples, making it convenient and budget-friendly.
- The sauce delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors.
- For crispy results, double-coat the chicken in cornstarch before frying.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently to keep it saucy.
Why You’ll Adore This Easy Sesame Chicken
Quick and Effortless Prep: Who doesn’t love a meal that comes together fast? This Easy Sesame Chicken skips the complicated steps, letting you focus on the fun part—enjoying dinner. In my experience, it’s ideal for those nights when you’re short on time but still want something impressive.
Irresistible Flavor Explosion: The sesame sauce clings to every piece, offering that addictive sweet-savory punch. You’ll be amazed at how fresh ingredients elevate it beyond takeout. Let’s be honest, it’s the kind of dish that makes home cooking feel special.
Family-Friendly Appeal: Kids and adults alike rave about this Easy Sesame Chicken—it’s not too spicy, just right. I love how versatile it is for picky eaters. Serve it up, and watch the plates empty quickly.
Healthier Homemade Twist: By controlling the oil and sugars, you make a lighter version without sacrificing taste. It’s empowering to know you’re nourishing everyone with this Easy Sesame Chicken. Now, you might be thinking it’s too good to be true, but give it a shot!
Essential Ingredients for Easy Sesame Chicken
Chicken Thighs: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are my go-to for this recipe because they stay juicy and tender even after a quick fry. They’re more forgiving than breasts and absorb the sauce beautifully, giving your Easy Sesame Chicken that melt-in-your-mouth texture. In my experience, cutting them into bite-sized pieces ensures even cooking and easy eating. Plus, they’re often more affordable, making this a win for family meals.
Sesame Oil: This nutty, aromatic oil is the star that ties the whole dish together, adding depth without overpowering. A drizzle in the sauce and a sprinkle of seeds at the end bring out that authentic sesame flavor we all crave. I’ve found that toasting the seeds lightly amps up their taste, but use it sparingly—it’s potent! For your Easy Sesame Chicken, it creates that glossy, fragrant finish.
Honey and Soy Sauce: The combo of honey’s natural sweetness and soy’s salty umami forms the base of the irresistible glaze. Together, they balance perfectly, with honey caramelizing for a slight stickiness. This duo is key to the Easy Sesame Chicken’s addictive quality, mimicking takeout but with cleaner ingredients. Adjust the honey if you prefer less sweet, but I wouldn’t skip the low-sodium soy to keep sodium in check.
How to Make Easy Sesame Chicken
Prepare the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken dry and tossing it in a mix of cornstarch, salt, and pepper—this creates that crispy exterior we love in Easy Sesame Chicken. In a hot skillet with a bit of oil, fry the pieces until golden, about 5-7 minutes, flipping once. The sizzle and aroma will fill your kitchen, making it feel like a pro chef moment. Don’t overcrowd the pan; do it in batches if needed to keep the heat high and avoid steaming.
Craft the Sauce
While the chicken browns, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil in a bowl until smooth. This glossy mixture is the heart of your Easy Sesame Chicken, simmering briefly to thicken into a clingy glaze. I add a cornstarch slurry at the end for extra body—it’s a simple trick that prevents a watery sauce. Taste and tweak; a dash more honey if you like it sweeter.
Combine and Finish
Once the chicken is cooked through, pour the sauce over it in the pan and toss everything together over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until coated evenly. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions for that fresh pop. This Easy Sesame Chicken comes alive here, the sauce bubbling and adhering perfectly. Let it rest a minute off the heat to soak up flavors—patience pays off!
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Cooked rice, for serving
Easy Sesame Chicken Instructions
- In a bowl, toss chicken pieces with cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add garlic and ginger, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Whisk in soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Return chicken to the skillet, toss to coat, and cook for 1-2 more minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions.
- Serve hot over rice. Enjoy your Easy Sesame Chicken!
Pro Tips for the Best Easy Sesame Chicken
Use Cold Oil for Frying: Start with oil in a cold pan and let it heat with the chicken—this prevents sticking and ensures even crisping.
Toast Sesame Seeds: A quick dry toast in the pan adds nutty depth; don’t skip it for maximum flavor in your dish.
Make it Gluten-Free: Swap soy sauce for tamari and use cornstarch that’s certified gluten-free.
You Must Know
- This recipe serves 4 and totals around 400 calories per serving, making it a balanced option.
- Sesame oil can be strong, so measure carefully to avoid overpowering the sauce.
- Fresh ginger provides better zing than powdered; grate it finely for even distribution.
- Pair with steamed broccoli for added veggies and a complete meal.
How to Store Easy Sesame Chicken
Let your Easy Sesame Chicken cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container; it keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. For freezing, portion into freezer bags and store for up to 2 months—thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat in a skillet with a splash of water to loosen the sauce, or microwave in short bursts, stirring midway, to restore that glossy texture without drying out.
Customizing Your Easy Sesame Chicken
If you’re watching carbs, swap chicken for tofu or add more veggies like bell peppers and broccoli for a stir-fry twist. For spice lovers, stir in red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce. Make it lighter by baking the coated chicken at 400°F for 20 minutes instead of frying—still delicious! Check out our Baked Honey Sesame Chicken for more oven variation ideas tailored to this Easy Sesame Chicken.
What to Serve with Easy Sesame Chicken
Serve this Easy Sesame Chicken over fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the sauce, or try fried rice for extra texture. A simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar dressing adds crunch and freshness to balance the richness. For sides, steamed broccoli or stir-fried green beans work wonders. Wash it down with iced green tea or a light ginger ale to complement the Asian flavors.
Easy Sesame Chicken
This easy sesame chicken tastes just like, if not better than takeout! The chicken is crispy and the sauce is sweet with a slight tang. It's actually very easy to make and takes only 30 minutes! Now you can make one of the most popular Chinese takeout dishes right in your home kitchen.
Timing
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 01 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs (trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces)
- 02 ¼ cup water
- 03 ½ teaspoon Kosher salt (if using fine salt, use a little less)
- 04 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 05 2 large egg
- 06 ½ cup cornstarch
- 07 1 tablespoon oil (any neutral oil is fine)
- 08 ½ cup ketchup
- 09 ½ cup water
- 10 ½ cup granulated sugar
- 11 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 12 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 13 1 tablespoon soy sauce (light sodium)
- 14 ½ teaspoon dark soy sauce (optional to give the sauce a darker color)
- 15 1 stalk green onion (cut into thin slices (greens and whites separated))
- 16 Toasted sesame seed (for garnish)
- 17 Oil (as needed for cooking and frying)
Instructions
Marinate the chicken thighs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared chicken thighs, water, baking soda, and salt. Vigorously mix until the water is mostly absorbed by the chicken.
Once the chicken has mostly absorbed the water, add the eggs and mix until well combined. Following, add the cornstarch and mix until evenly combined and no more dry cornstarch is visible. Finish by adding the oil and mixing until evenly combined.
Heat the oil: In a wok or tall pan, add about 2 to 3 inches of oil. Heat the oil until it reaches 375°F.
Prepare the sauce: While the oil is heating up, prepare the sesame chicken sauce. In a bowl or large measuring cup, combine the ketchup, water, sugar, vinegar, cornstarch, soy sauce, and dark soy sauce. Mix well and set aside. You can also make the sauce ahead of time.
Fry the chicken: When the oil is heated, maintain the heat around 375°F. With your hand or your gloved hand, gently place the marinated chicken pieces into the hot oil, one at a time until the there's an even layer. Don't overcrowd the pan and fry in batches if needed! Fry the chicken pieces for about 4 to 5 minutes, then remove the chicken out of the oil and let drain for about 2 to 3 minutes. While frying, occasionally stir the chicken pieces and try to break up any pieces that are stuck together.
Make sure the oil is back at 375°F and add the fried chicken pieces into the oil for a second fry. Let the chicken pieces fry for another 5 to 6 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oil and let the fried chicken drain on paper towels or a rack.
Make the sauce: In a wok or large pan over medium heat, add a small amount of oil. Add the white parts of the sliced green onions and stir fry for 10 to 15 seconds or until fragrant.
Give the prepared sauce a mix and pour it into the wok. Increase the heat to medium high and let the sauce heat until hot and bubbles. Make sure to stir the sauce frequently, especially when the sauce is getting hot so the cornstarch can thicken the sauce evenly.
Toss the chicken and serve: Once the sauce has thickened and looks glossy, add the fried chicken pieces and stir and toss until the chicken is evenly and well coated.
Serve immediately with white rice or fried rice and garnish the sesame chicken with sesame seeds and the green part of the sliced green onion if you wish. Enjoy!
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NUTRITION FACTS (PER SERVING)
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions About Easy Sesame Chicken
Can I make Easy Sesame Chicken ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the components separately: bread the chicken and make the sauce up to a day ahead, then cook fresh when ready. This saves time without losing quality. Just store them chilled and combine during cooking for the best results.
How long does Easy Sesame Chicken last in the fridge?
Properly stored in an airtight container, it lasts 3-4 days. Beyond that, the texture might soften from the sauce. Always reheat to 165°F for safety.
Is Easy Sesame Chicken gluten-free?
It can be with easy swaps: use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure your cornstarch is gluten-free. This keeps the flavors intact. Double-check labels for hidden gluten in other ingredients.
Can I use chicken breasts for Easy Sesame Chicken?
Absolutely, breasts work well—just slice them thinly to ensure they stay tender. In this Easy Sesame Chicken, thighs are preferred for juiciness, but breasts are a leaner alternative if that’s your preference. Adjust cooking time slightly as they cook faster.
What’s the best oil for frying Easy Sesame Chicken?
Neutral oils like vegetable or canola are ideal for high heat without burning. Avoid olive oil, as it can smoke and alter the taste. A mix with sesame oil adds flavor at the end.
How do I make Easy Sesame Chicken spicier?
Add chili garlic sauce or fresh chilies to the sauce mix for heat. Start with 1 tsp and adjust to taste—this elevates your Easy Sesame Chicken without overwhelming the sweetness. Serve with extra sriracha on the side for customization.
Can I air fry the chicken for this recipe?
Yes, coat and air fry at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking halfway. Toss with sauce after for that crispy Easy Sesame Chicken vibe. It’s a healthier twist; see our Air Fryer Chicken Breast for tips.
Is this Easy Sesame Chicken kid-friendly?
Definitely—it’s mildly sweet and not too saucy for little ones. Tone down ginger if needed, and involve them in coating the chicken. It’s a hit at family dinners every time.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—the ultimate guide to my favorite Easy Sesame Chicken that brings takeout magic home without the fuss. From the crispy bites to the finger-licking sauce, it’s everything you need for a satisfying meal. I encourage you to give this recipe a whirl tonight; you won’t regret it. Head to the kitchen, and let me know how your Easy Sesame Chicken turns out—happy cooking!