Description
This crispy Sesame Chicken recipe features tender chicken tenders coated in a crunchy panko crust, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a flavorful sweet and spicy sesame sauce. Served with fluffy white rice, it’s a perfect dish that combines the rich depth of toasted sesame oil, the heat of sriracha, and the balance of honey and soy sauce for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- Vegetable oil, for frying (about 5 cups)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup plus 2 teaspoons cornstarch, divided
- 2 large egg whites
- 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil, divided
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 lb. chicken tenders, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt, to taste
For the Sauce:
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water
- 1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
For Garnish and Serving:
- 1 scallion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- Cooked white rice, for serving
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a medium Dutch oven or a large heavy skillet to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C) on a deep-fry or instant-read thermometer, ensuring the oil is ready for frying.
- Prepare Breading Station: Set up three shallow bowls: in the first, whisk together the all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup cornstarch; in the second, whisk egg whites together with 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil; and in the third, place the panko breadcrumbs. This setup will make breading the chicken tender pieces quick and organized.
- Season and Coat Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with garlic powder and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Dredge each piece first in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg white mixture, letting any excess drip off, and finally coat in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to help the crumbs adhere evenly.
- Fry the Chicken: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully fry the breaded chicken in the hot oil, turning after 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes total per batch. Use a slotted spoon or tongs to transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate and season lightly with salt while hot.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, mix the remaining 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with the chicken broth (or water) until fully dissolved. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, combine this cornstarch mixture with the soy sauce, honey, ketchup, rice vinegar, sriracha, and the remaining 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame oil. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and reduces slightly, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces into the skillet with the thickened sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the flavorful sauce.
- Serve: Divide the sauced chicken among plates. Garnish with thinly sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately alongside steamed white rice for a complete, delicious meal.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double-dip chicken pieces by repeating the egg wash and breadcrumb coating step.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce and chicken broth to control salt levels.
- Adjust sriracha quantity to your desired spice level.
- Vegetable oil is preferred for frying because of its high smoke point.
- Allow oil to return to temperature between batches to maintain crispiness.
- This recipe pairs well with steamed or fried rice and steamed vegetables.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Deep Frying, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Asian, Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Sesame Chicken, Crispy Chicken, Asian Chicken Recipe, Fried Chicken, Sweet and Spicy Chicken, Easy Dinner, Chinese Takeout Copycat
