Description
Sesame chicken with a protein-packed twist delivers authentic Chinese restaurant flavors at home. Home cooks can easily recreate this classic dish with simple ingredients and quick cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsps honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsps cornstarch
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsps water (slurry)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 1 tbsp olive oil or sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
- Additional sesame seeds
Instructions
- Coating Preparation: Dust chicken pieces thoroughly with cornstarch, creating a light, even layer that promises a crispy golden exterior.
- Searing Stage: Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet at medium-high temperature, strategically positioning chicken to develop a rich, caramelized crust without overcrowding the pan.
- Cooking Progression: Sauté chicken until perfectly golden and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes, ensuring juicy, tender meat with a delectable exterior.
- Aromatic Foundation: Reduce heat and quickly infuse skillet with minced garlic and ginger, releasing their intense fragrant essence without scorching.
- Sauce Construction: Combine soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil into a vibrant liquid base, whisking in sesame seeds and cornstarch slurry to create a glossy, smooth sauce with robust flavor complexity.
- Final Integration: Reintroduce chicken to the thickened sauce, gently coating each piece to ensure maximum flavor absorption and a luxurious, glistening finish.
- Presentation: Plate immediately, garnishing with green onions and additional sesame seeds, and serve alongside steamed rice or complementary vegetables for a complete, protein-rich culinary experience.
Notes
- Achieve Crispy Coating: Use a light, even cornstarch dusting to guarantee a perfectly crisp chicken exterior without heavy breading.
- Prevent Burning Aromatics: Sauté garlic and ginger quickly over reduced heat, stirring constantly to release flavors without scorching.
- Control Sauce Thickness: Whisk cornstarch slurry gradually and continuously to create a smooth, glossy sauce without unwanted lumps.
- Optimize Protein Retention: Let chicken rest undisturbed while cooking to develop golden-brown crust and seal in moisture, ensuring juicy, tender meat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg