Crispy Sesame Chicken Recipe With Sweet Garlic Glaze

Sesame chicken proves that weeknight dinners don't have to feel rushed or boring when something so satisfying comes together with ease.

Families everywhere have fallen for its perfectly balanced flavors that hit all the right notes without being too heavy or complicated.

Whether you need a solution for busy evenings or want something special without spending hours in the kitchen, it fits right into any meal plan.

The sweet and savory combination has made it a favorite across generations, showing up at dinner tables time and again for good reason.

It's comfort food that doesn't leave you feeling weighed down, offering just enough richness to feel like a treat.

Nothing beats that golden exterior with its subtle crunch, making every bite something to look forward to rather than just another meal.

You won't believe how straightforward creating restaurant-worthy results can be right in your own kitchen.

Top Reasons to Make Sesame Chicken Tonight

• Simple Skill Builder: Sesame chicken is a fantastic recipe for boosting your cooking confidence, with straightforward steps that help anyone feel like a pro in the kitchen.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: This dish transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal that will make your family and friends super happy at dinnertime.
• Flavor-Packed Performance: The combination of crispy chicken, rich sauce, and aromatic sesame creates a seriously delicious dinner that beats takeout by a mile.
• Flexible Meal Option: Perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend gatherings, this recipe adapts easily to what ingredients you have on hand and how many people are eating.

Ingredients Used in Sesame Chicken

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (2 lbs): Tender meat that stays juicy and absorbs flavor perfectly for your crispy chicken.
• Large Eggs (2): Creates a sticky coating that helps your breading stick to the chicken pieces.
• Water (1/4 cup): Helps thin the egg wash for smooth coating.

• Cornstarch (1 cup): Makes your chicken coating super crispy and light.
• All-Purpose Flour (1/2 cup): Adds structure to your breading for that perfect crunch.
• Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances the overall flavor of your chicken.
• Black Pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Provides a subtle background warmth to the breading.

• Soy Sauce (1/2 cup): Brings deep, salty umami flavor to your sauce.
• Rice Vinegar (1/4 cup): Adds a tangy brightness to balance the sweetness.
• Honey (1/4 cup): Creates a glossy, sweet base for your sauce.
• Sesame Oil (2 tablespoons): Delivers a nutty, aromatic essence to the dish.
• Cornstarch (2 tablespoons): Helps thicken your sauce to coat the chicken perfectly.
• Water (1/2 cup): Helps blend and thin the sauce ingredients.
• Garlic Cloves (2): Provides a robust, aromatic punch of flavor.
• Ginger (1 teaspoon): Adds a warm, slightly spicy undertone.
• Red Pepper Flakes (1/4 teaspoon, optional): Introduces a gentle heat if desired.

• Sesame Seeds (2 tablespoons): Adds a nutty crunch and authentic touch.
• Green Onion (1): Provides fresh bite and color.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying.
• Cooked White Rice: Ideal for serving and soaking up the sauce.

Tools to Fry Sesame Chicken

• Large Pot or Deep Fryer: Your trusty cooking vessel for achieving that perfect golden-brown sesame chicken, holding 2-3 inches of hot oil.
• Wire Rack: A crucial tool for draining excess oil from your freshly fried chicken pieces, ensuring they stay crisp.
• Slotted Spoon: Your reliable partner for safely removing chicken from hot oil without losing those delicious crispy bits.
• Large Mixing Bowl (medium): Perfect for combining your dry ingredients and creating that perfect coating mixture.
• Whisk: Essential for blending egg wash and sauce ingredients smoothly without any pesky lumps.
• Medium Saucepan: The right size for preparing your flavorful sesame sauce with precision.
• Cutting Board: Your stable surface for neatly cutting chicken thighs into uniform 1-inch pieces.
• Sharp Knife: A precise tool for cleanly chopping chicken and potentially slicing green onions for garnish.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for ensuring accurate ingredient proportions in your sauce and coating.

Frying and Glazing Guide for Sesame Chicken

Best Tips for Sesame Chicken

• Check your oil’s heat with a candy thermometer to ensure perfect crispiness without burning your chicken.
• Shake off excess flour after dredging so your coating stays light and crisp instead of getting soggy.
• Whisk your cornstarch thoroughly to prevent lumps and create a smooth, glossy sesame sauce that clings perfectly to each chicken piece.
• Give your chicken pieces space in the hot oil so they brown evenly and stay crisp, not steamed.
• Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions right before serving to add a fresh crunch and bright flavor to your dish.

Which Sesame Chicken Variations Are Classic

• Spicy Kick Variation: Replace red pepper flakes with sriracha sauce, adding 1-2 tablespoons for extra heat that’ll make your taste buds dance.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend, ensuring your chicken stays crispy without wheat ingredients.
• Baked Health Option: Skip deep-frying and arrange coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet, spraying with cooking oil and baking at 425F for 20-25 minutes until golden and crisp.
• Vegetarian Protein Switch: Trade chicken for firm tofu, cutting into 1-inch cubes and following the exact same coating and cooking technique for a plant-based alternative.

How to Serve Sesame Chicken

• Serve with Fluffy Rice: Spread steamed white rice on your plate and nestle the crispy sesame chicken right on top for a classic, satisfying meal.
• Add Fresh Crunch: Sprinkle extra toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the chicken to boost texture and bring bright flavor to each bite.
• Pair with Simple Veggies: Quickly stir-fry some broccoli or snap peas as a quick side that complements the rich, savory chicken perfectly.
• Create a Complete Meal: Serve with a small cucumber salad dressed in rice vinegar to balance the deep flavors and add a refreshing contrast to the crispy chicken.

Smart Storage Tips for Sesame Chicken

• Store leftover sesame chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it’ll stay fresh for 3-4 days. The crispy coating won’t be as crunchy when reheated, but the flavor remains delicious.
• When reheating, spread the chicken on a baking sheet and warm in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This helps restore some crispiness and prevents the meat from getting soggy.
• Keep uncooked chicken pieces in the coldest part of your refrigerator, tightly sealed, and use within 1-2 days for the best texture and safety.
• For longer storage, freeze the cooked chicken without sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Sesame Chicken FAQs

Restaurant-Style Sesame Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 23 reviews

• Total Time: 25-30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sesame Chicken delivers a delightful Chinese-American classic that brings restaurant flavors straight to your kitchen. Crispy chicken pieces glazed with sweet and tangy sauce make dinner exciting and totally doable for home cooks.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Coating:

• 1 cup cornstarch
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup water

Sauce and Garnish:

• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ cup water
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 green onion
• Vegetable oil
• Cooked white rice

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Instructions

1. Slice 2 pounds of chicken thighs into precise 1-inch chunks, keeping pieces uniform for consistent cooking.
2. Mix 1 cup cornstarch, ½ cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper in a wide mixing bowl.
3. Whisk 2 large eggs with ¼ cup water in a separate bowl until completely blended.
4. Dunk each chicken piece into egg wash, ensuring complete coverage, then roll thoroughly in the dry ingredient mixture.
5. Heat vegetable oil to exactly 350F in a deep pot, creating enough depth for full chicken submersion.
6. Carefully lower chicken pieces into hot oil, maintaining spacing to prevent overcrowding and ensuring crispy exteriors.
7. Fry chicken for 5-7 minutes per batch, rotating occasionally to achieve golden brown color and internal temperature of 165F.
8. Transfer fried chicken onto paper towel-lined rack, allowing excess oil to drain completely.
9. Combine ½ cup soy sauce, ¼ cup rice vinegar, ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, and ½ cup water in a saucepan.
10. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon minced ginger, and optional ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes to sauce mixture.
11. Simmer sauce over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly until it thickens and becomes glossy.
12. Toss crispy chicken pieces in warm sauce, coating each piece completely.
13. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons sesame seeds and 1 sliced green onion over chicken for final garnish.
14. Serve immediately atop steamed white rice while sauce and chicken remain hot.

Notes

• Always use chicken thighs for the most tender and flavorful result, as they have more fat and stay juicier during frying.
• Maintain oil temperature precisely at 350F to ensure crispy exterior without greasy chicken, using a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
• Pat chicken pieces completely dry before dredging to help the coating stick better and create a crispier texture.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with rice flour or cornstarch and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Category: Chicken
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 605 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 1210 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 42 g
• Cholesterol: 140 mg