Description
This easy sesame chicken recipe tastes just like, if not better than takeout! The chicken is crispy, and the sauce is sweet with a slight tang. It’s a simple dish to make at home and takes only 30 minutes to prepare. Enjoy the flavors of Chinese takeout right from your own kitchen!
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt (if using fine salt, use a little less)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon oil (any neutral oil is fine)
- Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
For the sesame chicken sauce:
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon light sodium soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon dark soy sauce (optional for color)
- 1 stalk green onion, cut into thin slices (greens and whites separated)
- Oil as needed for cooking and frying
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken thighs: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken thighs, water, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, cornstarch, and oil, mixing until well combined.
- Heat the oil: Heat oil in a wok to 375°F.
- Prepare the sauce: Mix ketchup, water, sugar, vinegar, cornstarch, soy sauce, and dark soy sauce.
- Fry the chicken: Fry marinated chicken pieces until golden brown and crispy.
- Make the sauce: Stir fry green onions, then add and heat the sauce until thickened.
- Toss the chicken and serve: Coat the fried chicken in the sauce and serve with rice.
Notes
- Keep chicken pieces similar in size for even cooking.
- Marinate chicken ahead for more flavor.
- Gluten-free option available by omitting or substituting soy sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying, Stir-Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 536.8 kcal
- Sugar: 31.6g
- Sodium: 1193mg
- Fat: 15.3g
- Saturated Fat: 3.4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9.9g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 50.2g
- Fiber: 0.4g
- Protein: 47.7g
- Cholesterol: 308.5mg
