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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Turn off the heat and divide between four bowls. Serve with boiled rice and top with sesame seeds and spring onions.
Video
✎ Notes
Nutrition
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Andres viles says
Made this for the second time yesterday. My family LOVED it! They even asked me to include this in our regular rotation.
Chris Bis says
Made it last night. Was amazing! Thank you 🙂
Ellen Mathis says
This was so good! Will go on the make again list. I added some shallot and ginger to the sauce.
I’m terrible at frying and need to work on that 😅 but that is with ever recipients that calls for frying.
Chris Newton says
Such a tasty recipe and so straight forward to make. It is a regular for us.
Ang says
My husband and I needed something new to meal prep for the week. This is great! It tastes amazing and heats up really well! And my 6 year old asked me to make it again which never happens. lol. 🙂
Annie Keriotis says
Love this recipe! My son asked me to make it again! It's a keeper! Thank you for sharing!!
Alyssa says
First time I actually followed a recipe through, tasted and loved great. Thank you for sharing, can't wait for my daughter to try some aha!
Susan Burgess says
Amazing
Velda says
I think I will double the sauce next time! Whole family loved it!
Paula Sugarman says
It is a firm favourite with the whole family.
Rachel Conklin says
Literally the BEST. I’m a pretty good cook and cook a lot, I’d put this in my top 5 best ever dishes. My husband devoured! I tripled the sauce recipe cause we like a lot of sauce. Also used thighs instead of breast as it’s what I had on hand.
Argi says
SO good! This is the BEST chicken recipe. It’s got so much flavour. I didn’t have sweet chilli sauce so just replaced it with honey instead and added some Thai chilies and jalapeños to it. Also, I’ve tried skipping the breading part and it’s turned out so well with just the sauce.
Jess says
Mmm
Linda says
Grandson loves cooking this dish and we all love eating it
KH says
I have made this twice now and both times it received rave reviews! Its so delicious and I wouldn't change a thing! Its a bit time consuming but so worth it!