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Easy Sesame Chicken

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The Daring Gourmet
Updated Nov 27, 2019
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Pull those takeout menus off the side of your fridge and throw them in the trash—yep, this sesame chicken recipe is that good. Crispy-coated and deep-fried chicken is smothered in a luscious honey-sesame sauce and served over a bed of fluffy steamed rice—now that’s some serious yum!

More About This Recipe

  • No Chinese cooking repertoire is complete without the classic sesame chicken. Tender bites of chicken are marinated, coated, deep-fried to crispy perfection, then smothered in a lusciously sticky sauce with the flavor of honey and toasted sesame. Steam the rice and whip up the sauce while the chicken is frying, then all you have to do is toss the chicken in the sauce and serve it on a mound of fluffy white rice sprinkled with sesame seeds. It's fast, simple, and so delicious you'll wonder why you didn't start making your own Chinese takeout sooner! Just be careful when you start inviting your friends over: before long you'll have the whole town knocking at your door to inquire about the new Chinese takeout joint everyone's raving about!

Easy Sesame Chicken

  • Prep Time 15 min
  • Total 30 min
  • Servings 4
  • Ingredients 17
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Ingredients

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon salt
  • Peanut oil for deep frying
  • Sesame seeds for sprinkling

For the marinade

  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry sherry

For the sauce

  • 2 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 cup chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon chili sauce, for heat (optional)

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Whisk the marinade ingredients together and pour over the cubed chicken. Stir to thoroughly coat the chicken and let it marinate while preparing the rest of the ingredients.
  • Step 
    2
    Combine the sauce ingredients, except for the garlic, ginger and sesame oil, until the cornstarch and honey are dissolved.
  • Step 
    3
    In a medium saucepan over medium high heat in a large saucepan, fry the garlic and ginger for 1 minute. Add the sauce and bring to a boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
  • Step 
    4
    Dredge the chicken pieces in the cornstarch, shake off excess, and working in batches, deep fry the chicken in oil heated to 375°F until the chicken is golden brown, crispy and cooked through. Place the chicken on paper towels.
  • Step 
    5
    Add the fried chicken to the sauce, stir to thoroughly coat, and simmer for a couple of minutes until the chicken has absorbed the sauce. Serve immediately with steamed rice and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Nutrition

480 Calories
18g Total Fat
21g Protein
56g Total Carbohydrate
24g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
480
Calories from Fat
160
Total Fat
18g
28%
Saturated Fat
3g
16%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
50mg
17%
Sodium
1630mg
68%
Potassium
260mg
7%
Total Carbohydrate
56g
19%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
24g
Protein
21g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
0%
0%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
2%
2%
Iron
6%
6%
Exchanges:
2 1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 2 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
4
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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