This easy Sesame Chicken Recipe combines pieces of battered, crispy fried chicken with an eight-ingredient sesame sauce, which has sweet and salty flavors and just a hint of spice. It is so simple to prepare and tastes so much better than takeout.
Enjoy it garnished with thinly sliced green onion and toasted sesame seeds. Serve this tasty protein-filled dish over quinoa or brown rice.
Sesame chicken is tender pieces of chicken dipped in eggs and cornstarch and fried crispy, then tossed in a sweet and salty sauce. Indulge in this mouthwatering homemade sesame chicken, which is easy to make and flavorful. Your taste buds will thank you.
Do you like Chinese? We love it. Most Asian dishes are easy to prepare once you learn just a few tricks to the trade. This Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe is one of my favorites and has incredible flavor. If you like this recipe, try my shrimp fried rice, chicken chow mein, and sweet and sour pork.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Chicken: boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Vegetable oil: or any oil that is good for frying with a neutral taste and a high smoking point, like canola oil or peanut oil
- Rice vinegar: apple cider vinegar and white wine vinegar are fairly good substitutes
- Sesame seeds: store them in the fridge for up to a year
- Sesame oil: also a key ingredient, will last in a cool, dark place for 8 months or in the fridge for up to 2 years
- Chili sauce: I use sambal oelek, which is ground fresh chili paste. You can find it in the Asian food section of most grocery stores. Store in a fridge for up to 2 months and use it in bang bang shrimp and chicken lettuce wraps.
Preparation Tips
- This Sesame Chicken Recipe has a hint of spice, but the honey makes it very mellow. If in doubt, add the chili sauce very slowly and taste. Your taste buds will tell you when to stop.
- Take a few minutes and toast the sesame seeds. It is well worth the effort.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for the chicken breasts. They are just as delicious.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They can be reheated on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sambal oelek is a fresh ground chili paste found in the Asian food section of your local grocery store. It is pretty spicy, but when paired with other ingredients like soy sauce, honey, and brown sugar, it tames it, and the overall taste is very flavorful and satisfying. Store in the refrigerator for up to two months or freeze in small containers for up to six months.
To freeze, cool it completely, store it in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power. Again, the chicken will not stay crispy, but it will still have fantastic flavor.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve this sesame chicken with brown or white rice or Chinese noodles like ramen. Sometimes, I include an appetizer like crab rangoon or Japanese dumplings or something lighter like Asian cucumber salad or Asian chopped salad.
Sesame Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into bite size pieces
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- vegetable oil or canola oil for frying
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- ⅓ cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon chili sauce sambal oelek
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup cold water
- 2 green onions sliced thin
Instructions
- Beat the eggs, cornstarch, salt, and pepper together. Add the chicken and stir to combine. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a heavy pot or Dutch Oven. Once the oil reaches 350 degrees, fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and crispy. Move to paper to towels to drain.
- Meanwhile, in a large dry skillet over medium-high heat, add the sesame seeds and cook until lightly toasted, shaking the skillet several times. Remove the sesame seeds into a small bowl.
- In the same skillet, heat a little olive oil over low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, chili sauce, honey, ketchup, and brown sugar. Mix the cornstarch with the water and whisk into the sauce mixture and cook until thickened.
- Add the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir to combine with the sauce and garnish with the scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve promptly over rice or Chinese noodles.
Video
Notes
- Sambal oelek is a fresh ground chili paste found in the Asian food section of your local grocery store. It is pretty spicy, but when paired with other ingredients like soy sauce, honey, and brown sugar, it tames it, and the overall taste is very flavorful and satisfying. Store in the refrigerator for up to two months or freeze in small containers for up to six months.
- To freeze, cool it completely, store it in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power. Again, the chicken will not stay crispy, but it will still have fantastic flavor.
- I like to serve this sesame chicken with brown or white rice or Chinese noodles like ramen. Sometimes, I include an appetizer like crab rangoon or Japanese dumplings or something lighter like Asian cucumber salad or Asian chopped salad.
Nutrition
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Brandy
I love sesame chicken and this recipe is a new favorite of mine. My boyfriend and I just loved the crispy fried chicken and sweet and savory sauce. Thanks for a fabulous recipe.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Brandy!
Marysa
The family loved loved loved it. It is now on regular rotation at this house by the overwhelming majority! Thanks for the great recipe!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Marysa!
Aimee AMALA
Fab recipe, I love anything with sesame seeds in. Super nommy and delicious! Thanks, I will have to make it for my partner and get some brownie points lol.
Kate
The family all really liked this sesame chicken! It was perfect with rice and broccoli.
Jamie
OMG was this is so delicious! So easy to make, and way better than take out!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Jamie! So glad that you liked the sesame chicken.
Shelby
This is such an easy and delicious meal that my whole family loves. The sauce is just delicious!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Shelby! So glad that you enjoyed it.
Kathleen
I can’t believe it is this easy to make sesame chicken. No need for carryout anymore when it tastes this good. This is a must make for anyone that loves sweet and sour chicken!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Kathleen! So glad that you liked it.
Jennifer
I think that sesame is underrated but so versatile! It really makes a great pairing with chicken. Yum!
Barbie
Oh my goodness, this is the best sesame chicken recipe. We loved every bite, even the picky eaters.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Barbie! So glad that you liked the chicken recipe.
Kat
The sweet and savory combo is spot-on, and your personal touch, sharing the inspiration behind the recipe, adds a special charm.
Fransic
The best sesame chicken recipe. I think I have made this six times already. It is just that good. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Beth
Beth Pierce
So glad that you like it, Fransic.
Luna
This is one of my favorite dishes to make! It is always so filling and satiating. We usually make cream puffs and dumplings to go with it as well.
Heather
So amazingly crispy. The sauce is just superb! We enjoy this recipe every time.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Heather!
Mary
This is such a great dish! My fave is when it is served alongside veggies like broccoli. It is a must try for any cooking enthusiast.
Steph
Great sesame chicken recipe. The best I have tried to date! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Steph!
Jen Schreiner
I am looking forward to trying this recipe. Seriously, so many good reviews. We love Chinese food, but not all the sodium that comes with it. Can’t wait to try.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Jen! Enjoy!