Caramelized Sesame Chicken Recipe - Takeout inspired sesame chicken tossed in a mouthwatering caramelized sesame sauce. This chicken goes great served over steamed rice with your favorite veggie side dishes.
We served Caramelized Sesame Chicken over steamed rice with a sprinkle of sesame seeds. You can also sprinkle fresh chopped green onions on top and a drizzle or sriracha if you like spicy!
Not only is this chicken so delicious, but it whips up in about 30 minutes. This recipe will serve 4 people, so if you are cooking for a larger crowd, simply double the recipe.
Ingredients you need to make Caramelized Sesame Chicken:
Chicken Thighs - Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are best in this recipe. You can also use chicken breasts, if that's all you have on hand.
Soy Sauce - I recommend using low sodium sauce in this recipe to prevent the sauce from becoming too salty.
Brown Sugar - Light or dark brown sugar both work great in this recipe.
Rice Vinegar - If you don't have rice wine vinegar, you may also use white wine vinegar as a substitute.
Oyster Sauce - You can use regular oyster sauce or vegetarian oyster sauce. If you don't have this on hand, you can skip this ingredient.
Sesame Oil - A good quality pure sesame oil is recommended.
Sriracha - Adds a nice very mild spice to the sauce.
Garlic - I highly recommend using fresh garlic cloves in this recipe.
Sesame Seeds - This will go into the sauce and they are also used as a garnish.
All-Purpose Flour - To batter the chicken. You can also use rice flour.
Cornstarch - To batter the chicken.
Egg - To batter the chicken.
**Full measurements and instructions are listed below.
Tools to have on hand:
How to make the best Sesame Chicken:
In a small saucepan, whisk together all of the ingredients to make the sauce.
Bring sauce to a low simmer for about 10 minutes until fragrant and reduces lightly. Remove sauce from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, add cubed chicken with flour and cornstarch and mix to fully coat. Add whisked egg to the chicken and gently toss to combine.
Add oil to a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add chicken to the skillet. Gently spread chicken out into an even layer and let cook until bottom is golden. Don’t panic, the chicken will look weird at this point but it will all come together.
Once the bottom of the chicken is golden, flip chicken over, gently breaking pieces apart. Cook for another 5-7 minutes on the other side until golden and chicken is cooked through to at least 165 degrees and juices run clear.
Carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet.
Pour sauce over chicken and gently toss to combine.
Serve Caramelized Sesame Chicken over steamed rice with an extra sprinkle or sesame seeds.
Asian Takeout Style Side Dishes:
Easy Chow Mein Recipe – Super delicious and easy Chinese chow mein inspired recipe made with cabbage, carrots, green onion and noodles tossed in an amazing chow mein sauce.
Fried Rice – Super simple take out style homemade fried rice with carrots and peas. Serve this delicious side dish with your favorite Asian main courses.
Teriyaki Glazed Brussels Sprouts – Delicious golden pan seared Brussels sprouts tossed with teriyaki sauce. Tossing the sprouts in teriyaki sauce give them the most amazing flavorful glaze. These easy Brussels sprouts pair perfectly with your favorite main courses!
Creamy Asian Cucumber Salad – Thinly sliced cucumber and red onion tossed in a delicious creamy peanut dressing. This is one of my all time favorite salads!
More Asian Inspired Main Courses:
Crispy Spicy Cashew Chicken - Takeout style spicy and crispy cashew chicken tossed in a mouthwatering sauce with roasted cashews. This cashew chicken recipe is the perfect easy dinner for the family.
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers - The most delicious marinated teriyaki chicken grilled to perfection and finished with a delicious teriyaki sauce.
Spicy Garlic Ginger Pork - Slightly sweet and spicy takeout style pork recipe made with fresh ginger and garlic. Served over a bed of steamed rice with fresh chopped green onions and red pepper flakes for an extra kick.
Garlic Ginger Chicken - Flavor packed Chinese takeout style chicken recipe made with fresh ginger and garlic in a soy sesame caramelized sauce.
Caramelized Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs Chicken Thighs cubed
- 3 tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
- 3 tablespoon Cornstarch
- 1 Egg
- 3 tablespoon Frying Oil canola or vegetable
- 1 tsp Sesame Seeds optional garnish
Caramelized Sesame Sauce
- ¼ cup Soy Sauce low sodium
- ½ cup Brown Sugar
- 2 tablespoon Rice Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Oyster Sauce see notes
- 1 ½ teaspoon Sesame Oil
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, whisk together all of the ingredients to make the sauce.
- Bring sauce to a low simmer for about 10 minutes until fragrant and reduces lightly. Remove sauce from heat.
- In a large mixing bowl, add cubed chicken with flour and cornstarch and mix to fully coat. Add whisked egg to the chicken and gently toss to combine.
- Add oil to a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, carefully add chicken to the skillet. Gently spread chicken out into an even layer and let cook until bottom is golden. Don’t panic, the chicken will look weird at this point but it will all come together.
- Once the bottom of the chicken is golden, flip chicken over, gently breaking pieces apart. Cook for another 5-7 minutes on the other side until golden and chicken is cooked through to at least 165 degrees and juices run clear.
- Carefully drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Pour sauce over chicken and gently toss to combine.
- Serve Caramelized Sesame Chicken over steamed rice with an extra sprinkle or sesame seeds.
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