Sesame Chicken

Name: Sesame Chicken
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 2 egg, beaten; 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying); 1/4 cup soy sauce; 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 1/4 cup honey; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced; 2 tsp sesame oil; 2 tbsp sesame seeds; to taste salt and black pepper

Crispy battered chicken tossed in a sweet and savory sesame sauce with sesame seeds on top. A beloved takeout favorite.

35 minMediumServes 4420 cal/serving

Chinese-AmericanDinnerStovetopStandard

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 egg, beaten
2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1/4 cup honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp sesame seeds
to taste salt and black pepper

Instructions

1

Season 1.5 lbs cubed boneless skinless chicken breasts with to taste salt and black pepper. Dip each piece in beaten 2 egg, then dredge in 1/2 cup cornstarch.
2

Heat 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying) in a deep skillet to 350°F. Working in batches, fry chicken until golden and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per batch. Internal temperature should reach 165°F.
3

Transfer chicken to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
4

In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1/4 cup honey, 2 cloves minced garlic, and 1 tsp minced fresh ginger. Heat over medium, stirring until combined.
5

Remove from heat and stir in 2 tsp sesame oil.
6

In a large bowl, toss the fried chicken with the sauce until coated.
7

Transfer to a serving plate and sprinkle with 2 tbsp sesame seeds. Serve over rice.

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Questions

How hot should the oil be for Sesame Chicken?

For Sesame Chicken, the frying oil is held at 350 F (about 175 C) in step 2. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy. The target internal temperature is 165 F (about 75 C), given in step 2. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

Is there a substitute for rice vinegar in Sesame Chicken?

The entry for Sesame Chicken calls for 2 tbsp rice vinegar. In its place: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, softened with a pinch of sugar, is close. Avoid plain distilled vinegar at full strength, which is much sharper.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts in Sesame Chicken?

Yes. Boneless thighs at the same weight are more forgiving and stay juicier. Give them two to four minutes longer; they are at their best around 175 F rather than 165 F. As written, the entry for Sesame Chicken uses 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed.

Does Sesame Chicken contain sesame?

Yes: 2 tsp sesame oil and 2 tbsp sesame seeds. The full allergen list for this entry is gluten, eggs, soy and sesame. Seeds used as a garnish can simply be left off; the oil has no true substitute. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

How many calories are in Sesame Chicken?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 420 calories, with 32 g protein, 28 g carbohydrate and 18 g fat, plus 1 g fiber and 540 mg sodium.

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