This Asian Crispy Sesame Chicken is a delicious homemade alternative to that naughty takeaway!
I think I need to get me some bees.
The amount of honey we go through on toast (Gracey’s obsession) and in cooking makes we wonder why we don’t have a honey store like Winnie the Pooh! Honey filled Breakfast lollies, sticky Asian Pork Belly, balsamic-honey salad dressings., Asian Ribs, Sticky Pork Belly Burger, Chinese Crispy Chicken with Honey Garlic Sauce, Chris even uses it in his Chilli Con Carne just install a honey-line into my house and let’s be done with it.
This crispy sesame chicken is another one for the honey archives. Sweet, salty, crispy, sticky and a little bit spicy – it covers all the bases for one of these meals that everyone polishes off. Not a scrap left.
Even while photographing this one I caught Chris hovering over the pan that had a few pieces of chicken still in it – waiting till I wasn’t looking so he could sneak a few pieces!
I let him off with the proviso that he fed me a piece too whilst I was snapping away.
I love this as an alternative to the Friday night takeaway. Can’t deny it’s not the healthiest meal – with the honey and brown sugar, and of course a little oil to crisp up that chicken – but it’s still way better than take-out. I serve mine with some steamed brocolli and sugar snap peas to just boost the health factor.
One thing I should say is that this isn’t a copycat recipe. I know sesame chicken is popular at Chinese takeout restaurants in the US, but it’s not something we really see on Chinese menus in the UK. I’ve never tasted the US version, so I can’t say it tastes anything like it.
It’s bloomin’ good though!
Equipment:
In order to make this Sesame Chicken recipe you will need:
- A good Kitchen knife. In the video I use my Leiths knife however I have recently bought this Dalstrong one and love it.
- Chopping Board
- Shallow White Bowls
- Measuring Jug
- Fying Pan/Skillet or a Wok.
- Wooden or Silicon Coated Spoons. We have just bought these and love them.
- A nice set of bowls to serve in. Something like these blue Bowls are really nice to serve in.
- Some Chopsticks for when you feel confident 🙂
The Crispy Sesame Chicken with a Sticky Asian Sauce Recipe:
Crispy Sesame Chicken with a Sticky Asian Sauce
Ingredients
- 5 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 3 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
- 10 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- 2 tsp paprika
- 3 chicken breast fillets chopped into bite-size chunks
Sauce: *
- 1 tbsp sesame oil optional - you can leave out and just sprinkle with plenty of sesame seeds at the end if you prefer
- 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- 1 tbsp Chinese rice vinegar white wine vinegar will work too
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce use more or less depending on the brand and how spicy you like it
- 3 tbsp ketchup
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
To Serve:
- boiled rice
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- small bunch spring onions/scallions chopped
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan until very hot.5 tbsp vegetable oil
- Whilst the oil is heating, place the egg in one shallow bowl and the cornflour in another shallow bowl. Add the flour, salt, pepper, garlic salt and paprika to another shallow bowl and mix together.2 eggs, 3 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch), 10 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, ½ tsp garlic salt, 2 tsp paprika
- Dredge the chicken in the cornflour, then dip in the egg (make sure all of the chicken is covered in egg wash), and finally dredge it in the seasoned flour. Add to the wok and cook on a high heat for 6-7 minutes, turning two or three times during cooking, until well browned. You may need to cook in two batches (I find I can do it in one batch so long as it's no more than 3 chicken breasts). Remove from the pan and place in a bowl lined with kitchen towels.3 chicken breast fillets
- Add all of the sauce ingredients to the hot wok, stir and bubble on a high heat until the sauce reduces by about a third (should take 2-3 minutes). Add the chicken back in and toss in the sauce to coat. Cook for 1-2 minutes.1 tbsp sesame oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp Chinese rice vinegar, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce, 3 tbsp ketchup, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 4 tbsp soy sauce
- Turn off the heat and divide between four bowls. Serve with boiled rice and top with sesame seeds and spring onions.boiled rice, 2 tbsp sesame seeds, small bunch spring onions/scallions
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors for more information please see our Terms & Conditions.
I’ve always struggled to get a dish like this right but with this recipe I got next to perfect results, so so tasty!!!!
Fantastic, so glad you enjoyed it
Thanks
Chris & Nicky
This is honestly best chicken dish I have ever made! Only wish that there was less flour mix left over as I found that was a bit of a waste but other than that it was a burst of flavour in my mouth, can’t wait to cook this again.
Thanks, Skylar,
Really glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Thanks
Chris & Nicky
Thank you for sharing this recipe. Just cooked for my family and it went down a storm. Will certainly be cooking it again (and again).
I have done this recipe twice and they have been enjoyed both times and I will be doing this recipe more often thank you for sharing it
Thanks Jacob,
So glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Thanks
Chris & Nicky
Um YEAH!! Not exactly like my local chinese spot (not as sweet and the sauce wasnt as sticky) but man is it good!!! Even my picky 9 year old ate it and asked for more sauce on her rice! Sooooo good. Going in my recipe book thank you!!!!
Loved this recipe! I’m a terrible cook and often avoid cooking at all due to fear of failure, but I made this and it came out perfect! As I was eating it I couldn’t believe that I actually cooked it, it was just so delicious. Thank you so so much!
Thanks Kelly,
So glad that you had success with this recipe.
Thanks
Chris & Nicky
Very good, we really enjoyed it. I used spicy chilli sauce as we love spicy. I will definitely do it again. I doubled the sauce and trust me, there was no extra. The only thing is the crispy part, I always have trouble doing that and again, I did not accomplish that.
So glad you enjoyed it and there’s nothing wrong with a little kick of spicy chilli sauce 🙂
We do have a video of this recipe if you wanted to take a look so you can see exactly how we get the chicken crispy. https://youtu.be/EEgZ7TbhVtc
Thanks
Chris & Nicky
First time trying this recipe and was absolutely amazing, who needs to order take away when you can eat this amazing dish?!
Fantastic, so glad you enjoyed it
Thanks
Chris & Nicky
Easy to prepare and my kids loved it. Thank you Nicky
I cook this recipe every single week for a young man whom I support. It’s his favourite recipe. Thankyou so much. X
This is such a flavoursome recipe. I’ve been cooking it for years as it’s such a winner every time. Thank you for all your inspirational recipes. I love trying them all out 😋