Delicious Sesame Chicken Recipe

by

Delicious Sesame Chicken Recipe: Crispy, Sweet, and Better Than Takeout

When it comes to takeout favorites, few dishes are as beloved as sesame chicken. With its crispy coating, sticky-sweet sauce, and that irresistible sesame seed finish, it’s the kind of meal that instantly satisfies a craving for comfort food. The best part? You don’t need to wait for delivery or spend extra money at a restaurant—you can make this dish right at home, and it’s even better than takeout.

This Delicious Sesame Chicken Recipe delivers everything you love: tender chicken, a crunchy golden coating, and a glossy sesame sauce that clings to every bite. It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner but also impressive enough to serve guests.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Crispy and flavorful – Lightly battered chicken cooked until golden brown.
  • Sticky sesame glaze – The perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy.
  • Restaurant quality at home – No need to order takeout.
  • Customizable – Adjust sweetness, spice, or texture to your liking.
  • Quick and easy – Ready in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken

  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola works best)

For the Sesame Sauce

  • 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup (adds tangy sweetness and color)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry for thickening)
  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1/3 cup honey (or brown sugar)
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Optional Garnishes

  • Thinly sliced green onions
  • Extra sesame seeds
  • Red pepper flakes for a little heat

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

  1. Cut chicken into bite-sized cubes. Pat dry with paper towels—this helps the coating stick.
  2. In a bowl, season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  3. Place cornstarch in a shallow dish and the beaten eggs in another dish.

Step 2: Coat the Chicken

  1. Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, then dredge in cornstarch until fully coated.
  2. Place on a plate and repeat until all chicken pieces are ready to fry.

Step 3: Fry Until Crispy

  1. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. Fry chicken in small batches for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
  3. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

(Tip: Don’t overcrowd the pan—this ensures the chicken stays crispy and cooks evenly.)

Step 4: Make the Sesame Sauce

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together soy sauce, honey, vinegar, ketchup, garlic, and ginger.
  2. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
  3. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy (about 2–3 minutes).
  4. Add sesame oil for nutty depth.

Step 5: Toss and Serve

  1. Place the crispy chicken in a large bowl.
  2. Pour the sesame sauce over and toss until every piece is coated.
  3. Sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Tips for the Best Sesame Chicken

  • Chicken thighs stay juicier than chicken breasts, but both work well.
  • Double fry for extra crispiness – If you want ultra-crunchy chicken, fry each batch twice.
  • Toast sesame seeds – Toasting enhances flavor and aroma.
  • Adjust sweetness – Add more honey for sweeter sauce, or a splash more vinegar for tanginess.
  • Healthier option – Instead of frying, you can bake or air fry the chicken until golden and then coat with sauce.

What to Serve with Sesame Chicken

Sesame chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Some ideas:

  • Steamed white rice – Classic and simple.
  • Fried rice – Adds extra flavor and texture.
  • Lo mein or chow mein noodles – A slurp-worthy combo.
  • Steamed or roasted veggies – Broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy balance out the sweetness.
  • Asian slaw – A crunchy, refreshing contrast.

Variations to Try

  • Spicy Sesame Chicken – Add 1–2 teaspoons of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • Orange Sesame Chicken – Replace half the vinegar with fresh orange juice and add some zest.
  • Sesame Chicken Bowls – Serve over rice with steamed broccoli and carrots for a complete meal.
  • Gluten-Free Sesame Chicken – Use tamari instead of soy sauce and cornstarch as the coating.
  • Vegetarian Option – Swap chicken with crispy tofu or cauliflower florets.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating

  • Make ahead – You can fry the chicken in advance and refrigerate. Add sauce just before serving.
  • Storage – Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating – Reheat in the oven or air fryer to keep the chicken crisp. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it softens the coating.
  • Freezing – Freeze fried chicken pieces (without sauce) for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen and then toss with fresh sesame sauce.

Nutritional Snapshot (per serving, approx. 4 servings)

  • Calories: ~450
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Sugar: 18 g

(Values may vary depending on oil absorption and added garnishes.)

Why Homemade Sesame Chicken Beats Takeout

Making sesame chicken at home isn’t just about saving money—it’s about control and flavor. When you cook it yourself:

  • You know exactly what goes into the sauce—no excess sugar or preservatives.
  • Control the crispiness of the chicken.
  • You can adjust flavors to match your preferences.
  • It tastes fresher, hotter, and just more satisfying than takeout.

Plus, there’s something extra rewarding about making a dish that tastes like it came straight from your favorite restaurant but from your very own kitchen.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving crispy, sticky, sweet, and savory flavors, this Delicious Sesame Chicken Recipe is your answer. It’s an easy dish that will wow your family, satisfy your takeout cravings, and quickly become a regular on your dinner rotation.

With a crunchy coating, glossy sesame glaze, and that nutty sesame seed finish, every bite is pure comfort food bliss. Once you make it at home, you’ll realize that takeout sesame chicken doesn’t even compare.

So, grab your wok (or skillet), toast those sesame seeds, and whip up this incredible meal. Trust me—after one bite, you’ll agree this is the best sesame chicken you’ve ever had.

Leave a Comment