Description
Enjoy a quick and delicious homemade version of your favorite crispy Chinese restaurant favorite with this Easy Sesame Chicken recipe. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe features tender chicken thighs coated in a light tempura batter, deep-fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a flavorful homemade sesame sauce made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, and brown sugar. This American-Chinese inspired dish is both satisfying and simple, perfect for a family dinner or weeknight treat.
Ingredients
Sesame Chicken Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds
Tempura Batter:
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 egg whites
- 1/2 cup cold seltzer water
Chicken & Frying:
- 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into 1 inch chunks
- vegetable oil, for deep frying (about 3 inches deep)
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, cornstarch, water, sesame oil, and sesame seeds until well combined to create the sesame chicken sauce.
- Make the Batter: In a separate bowl, whisk together cornstarch, flour, and egg whites. Gradually add the cold seltzer water and whisk until just combined to form a light tempura batter.
- Coat the Chicken: Add the chicken thigh pieces to the batter and gently coat each piece thoroughly, ensuring they are evenly covered.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep pot or fryer to about 3 inches deep and heat to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain accurate temperature.
- Fry the Chicken: Fry the battered chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking them until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-6 minutes per batch. Drain the fried chicken on paper towels.
- Cook Aromatics: In a large wok or skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of sesame oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Toss with Sauce: Add the prepared sesame sauce to the wok along with the fried chicken pieces. Quickly toss and coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
- Serve: Serve immediately, garnished with additional sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy your crispy homemade sesame chicken!
Notes
- Click on the “yield” amount to slide and change the number of servings and the recipe will automatically update!
- To convert measurements to grams, click on the "Metric" option next to "Ingredients" in the recipe card.
- Maintain oil temperature at 350°F to achieve crispy, non-greasy chicken.
- For best results, serve immediately after coating with sauce to keep the chicken crispy.
