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Easy Crispy Sesame Chicken Recipe – Quick and Delicious
Crispy Sesame Chicken is a satisfying homemade takeout favorite with golden, crunchy chicken coated in a sweet, savory, and lightly spicy sauce. Served over rice or noodles with fresh vegetables, it makes a flavorful meal that feels special while using simple ingredients.
Quick Overview
- Prep time: Not provided
- Cook time: Not provided
- Total time: Not provided
- Servings: Not provided
Why Make This Recipe
- Crispy and flavorful: The cornstarch and flour coating creates a golden exterior, while the sesame oil adds rich flavor.
- Sweet, savory, and spicy: Honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes create a balanced sauce.
- Simple ingredients: This recipe uses familiar pantry staples and easy preparation steps.
- Easy to customize: Serve it with rice, noodles, or fresh vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/2 cup sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooked rice or noodles for serving
- Fresh vegetables for serving
How to Make It
In a bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper. Coat the chicken pieces in this mixture. Stir the dry ingredients together so the seasoning is evenly distributed. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and toss until each piece is well coated.
Dip the coated chicken in the beaten egg. Dip each coated piece into the beaten egg, allowing any excess egg to drip away before frying.
Heat sesame oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the sesame oil to the pan and heat it until ready for frying. Work carefully, as hot oil can splatter.
Fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through. Place the chicken in the hot oil without overcrowding the pan. Fry the pieces until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Mix until the honey is incorporated and the sauce looks smooth.
Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss to coat. Transfer the crispy chicken to the sauce and gently toss until every piece is covered.
Serve the crispy sesame chicken over cooked rice or noodles, and garnish with fresh vegetables. Spoon the saucy chicken over your preferred base and finish with fresh vegetables for color and crunch.
How to Serve It
- Serve the chicken over cooked white rice, brown rice, or noodles.
- Add fresh vegetables such as sliced bell peppers, cucumber, carrots, or steamed broccoli.
- Garnish with extra sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or a small sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
How to Store It
Store leftover crispy sesame chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For the best texture, keep the chicken separate from the rice, noodles, and fresh vegetables when possible.
To reheat, warm the chicken in a skillet over medium heat until heated through. This helps restore some of the coating’s crispness better than microwaving. If using a microwave, heat it in short intervals, but note that the coating may soften.
For longer storage, place the cooled chicken in a freezer-safe container and freeze it. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating in a skillet. Store rice, noodles, and vegetables separately when possible.
Helpful Tips
- Avoid overcrowding the frying pan so the chicken can brown evenly instead of steaming.
- Cut the chicken into similarly sized bite-sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
- Toss the chicken with the sauce just before serving to help preserve its crisp texture.
- Prepare the rice, noodles, or vegetables while the chicken cooks so everything is ready to serve together.
Optional Variations
- Add more or fewer red pepper flakes to adjust the heat level.
- Use thinly sliced chicken thighs instead of chicken breast for a richer, more tender result.
- Add fresh ginger, minced garlic, or sliced green onions to the sauce for extra flavor.
- Replace the rice with cooked noodles for a sesame chicken noodle bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes. Chicken thighs can be used in place of chicken breast and will add a richer flavor and tender texture.
How can I keep the chicken crispy?
Avoid overcrowding the pan, fry the chicken until golden brown, and toss it with the sauce just before serving.
Can I make this recipe less spicy?
Yes. Reduce or omit the red pepper flakes for a milder sauce.
What should I serve with sesame chicken?
Serve it over cooked rice or noodles with fresh vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, cucumber, or bell peppers.
Can I freeze leftover sesame chicken?
Yes. Freeze the cooled chicken in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Thaw it in the refrigerator and reheat it in a skillet for the best texture.
Crispy Sesame Chicken
A satisfying homemade takeout favorite with golden, crunchy chicken coated in a sweet, savory, and lightly spicy sauce. Perfect over rice or noodles with fresh vegetables.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten For coating the chicken
- 1/2 cup sesame oil For frying
For the sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes Adjust to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste salt and pepper
For serving
- as needed cooked rice or noodles For serving
- as needed fresh vegetables Such as bell peppers, cucumber, carrots, or steamed broccoli
Instructions
Preparation
- In a bowl, mix cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken pieces in this mixture, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Dip the coated chicken in the beaten egg, allowing excess egg to drip away.
Cooking
- Heat sesame oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and cooked through, avoiding overcrowding the pan.
Making the Sauce
- In a separate bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
- Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss to coat.
Serving
- Serve the crispy sesame chicken over cooked rice or noodles, garnished with fresh vegetables.
Notes
Store leftover crispy sesame chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For best texture, keep the chicken separate from rice or noodles when possible. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for best results.
