Crispy Sesame Chicken with a Sticky Asian Sauce (for Susan)
Susan from Michigan, you’re about to become the coolest grandma ever! No more boring baked chicken for those Wednesday dinners with the grandkids. This crispy sesame chicken with sticky Asian sauce will have everyone begging for seconds.
You asked for a tasty new twist, and we’ve got you covered. Get ready to impress those kiddos with your amazing cooking skills. This easy recipe takes just 30 minutes from start to finish – perfect for busy grandmas like you!
Exact Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to make this crispy sesame chicken:
For the chicken:
• 5 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 3 tbsp cornflour
• 10 tbsp plain flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• ½ tsp garlic salt
• 2 tsp paprika
• 3 chicken breast fillets, cut into bite-size pieces
For the sticky sauce:
• 1 tbsp sesame oil (optional)
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp Chinese rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
• 3 tbsp ketchup
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 4 tbsp soy sauce
To serve:
• Boiled rice
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• Chopped spring onions
You can adjust the sweet chilli sauce amount to your taste. Feel free to sprinkle extra sesame seeds at the end if you skip the sesame oil. This recipe serves 4 people and takes about 30 minutes to make.
Instructions
Mix cornflour, flour, salt, pepper, garlic salt, and paprika in a bowl. Beat eggs in another bowl. Dip chicken pieces in cornflour, then egg, then seasoned flour.
Heat oil in a wok or large pan until very hot. Add coated chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes, turning often. The chicken should be golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.
For the sauce, heat sesame oil in the pan. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in rice vinegar, honey, sweet chilli sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, and soy sauce. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens.
Add the chicken back to the pan. Toss to coat in the sauce. Cook for another 2 minutes.
Serve your crispy sesame chicken over rice. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped spring onions. Enjoy your tasty new Wednesday dinner!
Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations
Can’t find all the ingredients? Don’t worry! You can easily swap some items in this recipe.
For the chicken:
- Use turkey breast or firm tofu instead of chicken
- Swap cornflour with potato starch or arrowroot powder
- Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend
Sauce alternatives:
- Sub honey with maple syrup or agave nectar
- Use apple cider vinegar instead of rice vinegar
- Replace sweet chili sauce with sriracha or hot sauce
Want to change it up? Try these tasty variations:
- Orange Sesame Chicken: Add orange zest and juice to the sauce
- Spicy Sesame Chicken: Double the amount of sweet chili sauce
- Nutty Sesame Chicken: Toss in some crushed peanuts or cashews
You can also serve this dish with:
- Cauliflower rice for a low-carb option
- Quinoa or brown rice for added nutrition
- Steamed veggies like broccoli or snap peas on the side
Feel free to get creative and make this recipe your own!
Tips, Tricks & Storing
For extra crispy chicken, double-coat it in the flour mixture. This creates a thicker crust that crisps up beautifully when fried.
Make sure your oil is hot enough before adding the chicken. Test it by dropping a small piece of bread in – if it sizzles and browns quickly, you’re good to go.
Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying. Cook the chicken in batches if needed to maintain the right temperature.
For a healthier version, you can bake the coated chicken pieces in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes.
Store leftover crispy sesame chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to crisp it up again.
Freeze uncooked coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the frying time.
Try serving the sauce on the side for dipping. This keeps the chicken crispy longer and lets everyone control how much sauce they want.
