Sesame Chicken
Why You’ll Love This Sesame Chicken
Crispy and crunchy: Thanks to the double-fry method.
Perfectly balanced sauce: Sweet, savory, and tangy.
Faster than takeout: Ready in under 30 minutes.
Versatile: Serve with rice, noodles, or fresh veggies.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
~450 g chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
For the Batter
½ cup cornstarch
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 egg white
¼ tsp white pepper
⅓ cup water (add more if needed)
For the Sesame Sauce
3 tbsp honey (adjust to taste)
2 tbsp soy sauce
1.5 tbsp ketchup
1.5 tbsp brown sugar (adjust to taste)
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
1 clove garlic, grated
For Finishing
1.5 tbsp sesame oil
2 tsp sesame seeds
1 green onion, chopped
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together:
Cornstarch
Flour
Soy sauce
Egg white
White pepper
Water (start with ⅓ cup and add more if the batter is too thick)
The consistency should be smooth and like paint.
2️⃣ Coat and Fry the Chicken
Add the bite-sized chicken pieces into the batter and gently mix until coated.
Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 330–340°F (165–170°C).
Fry the chicken in batches for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Optional but highly recommended: Increase the oil temperature to 375°F (190°C) and double fry the chicken for 30–60 seconds to achieve ultimate crispiness.
Set aside on a wire rack to drain.
3️⃣ Prepare the Sesame Sauce
In a bowl, mix together:
Honey
Soy sauce
Ketchup
Brown sugar
Rice vinegar
Shaoxing wine
Grated garlic
Whisk until smooth.
4️⃣ Coat the Chicken
In a large pan or wok, pour in the sesame sauce and bring to a boil over medium heat. Let it bubble for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Add the fried chicken pieces, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Toss gently until everything is coated and glossy.
Serve & Enjoy
Top with chopped green onions and serve with steamed rice and stir-fried veggies for a complete meal. Trust me—everyone at the table will ask for seconds.
Tips & Tricks
Double fry: This extra step makes all the difference in achieving that signature crunch.
Adjust sweetness: Taste your sauce and adjust honey and sugar levels to suit your preference.
No Shaoxing wine? Use dry sherry or omit if needed.
How to Store & Reheat
Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: For best results, reheat in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
Love Chinese Takeout? Try These Next:
General Tso’s Chicken Recipe
Sweet and Sour Pork
Homemade Egg Rolls
Kung Pao Chicken
Final Thoughts
This sesame chicken recipe is everything you love about the takeout classic—but fresher, crispier, and totally made-from-scratch. Whether it’s a family dinner or a meal-prep favorite, it’s sure to become a regular in your kitchen rotation.
sesame chicken
Better-than-takeout sesame chicken! Crispy, sweet, and savory—ready in 30 minutes. Perfect for a weeknight dinner.
CourseDinner
Ingredients
For the Chicken
450 g chicken cut into bite-sized pieces
For the Batter
½ cup cornstarch
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 egg white
¼ tsp white pepper
⅓ cup water add more if needed
For the Sesame Sauce
3 tbsp honey adjust to taste
2 tbsp soy sauce
1.5 tbsp ketchup
1.5 tbsp brown sugar adjust to taste
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
1 clove garlic grated
1.5 tbsp sesame oil
2 tsp sesame seeds
1 green onion chopped
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Batter
In a large bowl, whisk together:
Cornstarch
Flour
Soy sauce
Egg white
White pepper
Water (start with ⅓ cup and add more if the batter is too thick)
The consistency should be smooth and like paint.
2️⃣ Coat and Fry the Chicken
Add the bite-sized chicken pieces into the batter and gently mix until coated.
Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 330–340°F (165–170°C).
Fry the chicken in batches for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Optional but highly recommended: Increase the oil temperature to 375°F (190°C) and double fry the chicken for 30–60 seconds to achieve ultimate crispiness.
Set aside on a wire rack to drain.
3️⃣ Prepare the Sesame Sauce
In a bowl, mix together:
Honey
Soy sauce
Ketchup
Brown sugar
Rice vinegar
Shaoxing wine
Grated garlic
Whisk until smooth.
4️⃣ Coat the Chicken
In a large pan or wok, pour in the sesame sauce and bring to a boil over medium heat. Let it bubble for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
Add the fried chicken pieces, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Toss gently until everything is coated and glossy.