Description
Sesame chicken brings bold Asian-inspired flavors straight to your dinner table with a protein-packed twist. Crispy, glazed chicken pieces deliver a perfect balance of sweet and savory notes that will satisfy cravings and nourish you completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Oils and Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
- Additional sesame seeds
Instructions
- Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with cornstarch, ensuring an even, light dusting that will create a crispy exterior when cooked.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet or wok, bringing the temperature to medium-high for optimal browning of the chicken.
- Carefully place coated chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown crust by cooking undisturbed for several minutes before gently stirring.
- Monitor chicken’s cooking progress, ensuring it reaches a complete, juicy doneness within 6-8 minutes. Once fully cooked, transfer to a separate plate.
- Reduce skillet heat and quickly sauté minced garlic and ginger, releasing their aromatic essence without burning.
- Pour soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil into the skillet, creating a vibrant, glossy base for the sauce.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds into the liquid mixture, stirring to distribute their nutty flavor evenly.
- Introduce cornstarch slurry to the simmering sauce, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, glossy consistency.
- Reintroduce the cooked chicken to the thickened sauce, gently tossing to ensure each piece is generously coated with the flavorful glaze.
- Allow chicken to reheat briefly in the sauce, melding the flavors and creating a final, appetizing sheen.
- Transfer to serving plates, garnishing with finely chopped green onions and an additional sprinkle of sesame seeds for textural contrast.
- Serve immediately alongside steamed rice, quinoa, or a colorful medley of stir-fried vegetables for a complete, protein-packed meal.
Notes
- Ensure chicken pieces are uniform in size for even cooking and golden exterior.
- Mix cornstarch thoroughly to create a crispy, light coating that seals in moisture.
- Use a high-heat cooking method like skillet or wok to achieve quick, restaurant-style caramelization.
- Opt for low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels and prevent overly salty results.
- Toast sesame seeds beforehand to enhance their nutty flavor and aromatic profile.
- Substitute honey with maple syrup or agave for vegan-friendly alternative.
- Replace chicken with tofu or tempeh for plant-based protein option.
- Add red pepper flakes for extra heat and depth of flavor.
- For gluten-free version, use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.
- Allow sauce to thicken naturally by reducing heat and stirring consistently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 378
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 435 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg