Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe

If you’re looking for a better-than-takeout meal you can whip up on any busy weeknight, this Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe is the answer to your cravings. Juicy chunks of chicken are coated in a light tempura batter, fried until irresistibly crisp, then tossed in a glossy, sweet-and-savory sesame sauce you’ll want to drizzle on everything. This recipe delivers all the flavors you love, with a super accessible set of ingredients and straightforward steps that guarantee huge payoff every single time!

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes this Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe shine is its collection of straightforward but essential pantry staples. Each ingredient serves a delicious purpose—adding texture, depth, or that comfortingly familiar flavor to every bite.

• Soy Sauce: Brings big, umami richness and saltiness to the sauce, pivotal for the deep flavor profile.
• Rice Vinegar: Lends a gentle tang that balances the sweetness without overpowering.
• Brown Sugar: Creates a caramel-like sweetness and helps the sauce turn glossy and sticky.
• Cornstarch (for sauce & batter): Thickens the sauce perfectly and helps create that signature crisp coating on the chicken.
• Water: Loosens and binds the sauce just right, ensuring perfect texture.
• Sesame Oil: Delivers fragrant, nutty aroma—absolute must in every sesame chicken recipe!
• Sesame Seeds: Add a pop of texture and visual appeal in every bite.
• Flour: Combines with cornstarch for a light, airy batter that gets ultra crispy.
• Egg Whites: Lighten the batter, making it puffy and delicate around each chicken piece.
• Cold Seltzer Water: Secret weapon for outrageously crisp batter—don’t skip this!
• Chicken Thighs: Stay succulent and juicy after frying—perfect base for all that delicious sauce.
• Vegetable Oil (for frying): Ensure safe, even cooking while keeping flavor neutral.
• Crushed Red Pepper: Offers just a kiss of heat to keep things interesting.
• Minced Garlic: Gives aromatic depth that melds beautifully with the rest of the flavors.

How to Make Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Sesame Sauce

In a medium bowl, stir together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, cornstarch, water, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the cornstarch fully integrates, creating a smooth, shiny base. This homemade sauce is the soul of this Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe—don’t be surprised if you want to save a little extra for dipping!

Step 2: Whip Up the Tempura Batter

Grab a large mixing bowl and gently combine the cornstarch, flour, egg whites, and cold seltzer water. Stir with a light hand just until everything is incorporated—overmixing can toughen the batter. You’re looking for a pale, airy mixture, ready to coat each bite of chicken with a delicate crunch.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Add the chicken thigh chunks into your batter bowl. Toss gently so that every piece wears a thick, even jacket of batter. This step ensures that every bite comes out tender on the inside with a satisfyingly crisp shell.

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat about three inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F. Working in batches, lower the battered chicken into the oil—don’t crowd the pan! Fry each batch until the pieces are deeply golden and crispy, about 4-5 minutes, then transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 5: Finish in the Wok

Heat the sesame oil in a large wok or skillet over medium-high. Stir in the minced garlic and crushed red pepper—let it all sizzle for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the cooked chicken and quickly toss with the prepared sauce, stirring to coat and caramelize every piece. Serve immediately for the ultimate Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe experience!

How to Serve Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

For that picture-perfect finish, sprinkle freshly toasted sesame seeds over the dish and scatter some thinly sliced green onions on top. Not only does this add layers of crunch and a burst of color, but it also enhances the distinct sesame aroma and fresh flavor each time you dig in.

Side Dishes

This Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe is a match made in heaven with fluffy steamed jasmine rice or a bowl of fragrant fried rice. For a balanced plate, try serving it alongside garlicky sautéed green beans or classic broccoli florets, which soak up that rich sauce beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn dinnertime into a fun occasion by stuffing sesame chicken into lettuce cups for a hands-on twist, or pile into steamed bao buns with cucumber slices and more sesame seeds. If you’re hosting, serve the chicken on mini skewers as finger food—it’s always a crowd favorite!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let your leftover Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It’ll stay delicious for up to three days—just be sure to pop it in as soon as it’s room temperature to keep things crisp and fresh.

Freezing

If you want to stock up for future cravings, freeze the cooked, un-sauced chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat and toss in freshly made sauce for best results, as this keeps everything crispy and flavorful.

Reheating

The best way to revive your sesame chicken is in the oven or toaster oven at 375°F for about 10-12 minutes. This preserves the crispy coating. For sauced leftovers, a quick sauté in a hot pan brings them back to life while keeping things glossy and tender.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Chicken breast works well, although it’s a bit leaner and less juicy than thighs. Be careful not to overcook so the meat stays tender inside its crispy coating.

Is this Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe gluten-free?

As written, it contains regular flour and soy sauce with gluten. To make it gluten-free, swap in a certified gluten-free flour blend and tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce. Be sure to check your other ingredients too!

Can I bake instead of deep-frying?

If you want to skip frying, arrange battered chicken pieces on a wire rack over a baking sheet, spray lightly with oil, and bake at 425°F for 18-20 minutes until crispy. The oven will never fully replicate deep-fried texture, but it’s a great lighter option.

How do I make the sauce spicier?

You can easily dial up the heat by adding a pinch more crushed red pepper or a squirt of sriracha right into the sauce. Tasting as you go is the best way to hit your ideal spice level!

Can I double this recipe for a party?

Yes, this Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe scales beautifully. Simply fry the chicken in batches and keep each batch warm in the oven, then toss everything with the sauce just before serving for the ultimate party platter.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe will quickly become your go-to for bold flavor and big smiles around the table. Give it a try—you might just ditch takeout for good once you taste how easy and rewarding homemade really is!

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