Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe
This Easy Sesame Chicken recipe features crispy battered chicken thighs coated in a sweet and tangy sesame sauce. Perfectly fried to golden perfection and tossed in a flavorful sauce with garlic, sesame oil, and a touch of crushed red pepper, it’s an irresistible dish that comes together quickly for a delicious weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
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:
- 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch chunks
- Vegetable oil, for deep frying
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, corn starch, water, sesame oil, and sesame seeds until fully combined. Set aside.
- Make the tempura batter: Whisk the cornstarch, flour, and egg whites in a separate bowl. Gradually add cold seltzer water and whisk until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Coat the chicken: Add the chicken chunks to the batter, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated with the batter mixture.
- Heat oil for frying: Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep fryer or large pot to create a 3-inch depth. Heat the oil to 350°F (175°C), using a thermometer to ensure accuracy.
- Fry the chicken: Carefully add the battered chicken pieces in batches to the hot oil. Fry until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Prepare the sauce pan: Heat 2 teaspoons of sesame oil in a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Toss chicken in sauce: Pour the prepared sesame sauce into the skillet with the garlic and red pepper. Quickly add the fried chicken pieces and toss thoroughly to coat them well with the sauce.
- Serve immediately: Transfer the sesame chicken to a serving dish, garnish with additional sesame seeds if desired, and serve hot for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ensure the oil temperature is maintained at 350°F for crispier chicken.
- Do not overmix the batter; lumps are fine and help create a lighter coating.
- Use boneless, skinless thighs for juicier and more flavorful chicken compared to breasts.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper to control spiciness to your preference.
- Serve with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Keywords: sesame chicken, fried chicken, Asian chicken recipe, crispy chicken, sesame sauce, tempura batter
Find it online: https://spiceupwithsophie.com/easy-sesame-chicken-recipe/
