Sesame Chicken (The BEST Recipe with Video!!) - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

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This is the best Sesame Chicken recipe with crispy chicken in sweet and savory sesame chicken sauce. It tastes just like Chinese restaurants and takes only 20 mins to make. Serve the chicken with steamed rice for an authentic homemade Chinese meal.

Sesame Chicken (The BEST Recipe with Video!!) - Rasa Malaysia (1)

Sesame Chicken (The BEST Recipe with Video!!) - Rasa Malaysia (2)

Table of Contents

Sesame Chicken Recipe

What is Sesame Chicken?

It’s one of the most popular Chinese recipes found in Chinese restaurants and takeouts in the United States.

Everyone loves this deep-fried and crispy chicken coated with a sweet and savory sesame sauce.

Garnished with white sesame seeds, the crispy chicken and sauce pairs perfectly with a bowl of steamed rice.

This is the BEST recipe you will find online! It’s easy, authentic and tastes the same, if not better than Chinese restaurants!

Sesame Chicken (The BEST Recipe with Video!!) - Rasa Malaysia (3)

Other Recipes You Might Like

  • Honey Sesame Chicken
  • Honey Chicken
  • Lemon Chicken
  • Orange Chicken
  • General Tso’s Chicken

Sesame Chicken Sauce

The sweet and savory sesame sauce is the star of the dish. It calls for the following ingredients:

  • Soy sauce
  • Rice vinegar
  • Sugar
  • Cornstarch
  • Water

How to Make Sesame Chicken?

It’s very easy to make the dish at home. First, prep the chicken, frying batter and the sauce.

Next, coat the chicken with the batter and deep fry. The final step is to make the sauce and coat the chicken with it.

This homemade recipe is very easy and fail-proof and takes less than 20 minutes to make.

Cooking Tips

For the best results that is the same as the best Chinese restaurants, please follow my cooking tips below:

  • For the crispiest chicken, follow my batter recipe and coat the chicken evenly. The frying batter produces crispy, light and airy chicken. Shake off the excess batter before deep frying the chicken.
  • Use chicken breast meat for the best flavor.
  • Do not drown the chicken with too much sesame sauce. Too much sauce will make the chicken soggy and not crispy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sesame Chicken the Same As General Tso’s Chicken?

General Tso’s Chicken is a completely different dish with a spicy and dark sauce.

Sesame sauce is sweet and savory in taste but not spicy. Both dishes are equally delicious!

Sesame Chicken (The BEST Recipe with Video!!) - Rasa Malaysia (4)

Can I Use Air Fryer for This Recipe?

For the best results, you should deep-fry the chicken. However, you can use an air fryer to air fry the chicken.

How Many Calories per Serving?

This recipe is only 304 calories per serving.

What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?

This meal is best served with steamed rice or noodles. For a wholesome Chinese meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

How to Cook Sesame Chicken?

Please refer to the recipe card and video for detailed step-by-step method on how to make this recipe.

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Sesame Chicken

Easy, healthy and homemade Chinese Sesame Chicken recipe with sesame sauce. This is the BEST recipe you'll find online and tastes just like takeout restaurants.

4.62 from 307 votes

Print

By Bee Yinn Low

Yield 4 people

Prep 10 minutes mins

Cook 10 minutes mins

Total 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. (230g) boneless and skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
  • oil (for deep-frying)
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • white sesame seeds (for garnishing)

Frying Batter:

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 egg white
  • 1/3 cup cold water
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 pinch salt

Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons corn starch
  • 1/3 cup water

Instructions

  • Mix all the ingredients in the Sauce until well combined. Set aside.

  • Mix all the ingredients in Frying Batter in a bowl until well combined, stir a few times to make sure there are no lumps and the batter is smooth. Add the chicken into the batter, stir to evenly coat with the batter.

  • Heat 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) of the oil in a wok or a stockpot to 350°F (175°C) for deep-frying. Gently drop the chicken into the oil and loosen them up immediately with a spatula to prevent the chicken from clumping together.

  • Deep-fry the chicken to golden brown. Remove the chicken from the oil with a strainer or slotted spoon, draining the excess oil by laying the chicken on a dish lined with paper towels. Discard the oil.

  • Heat up 2 tablespoons of the oil in a wok or skillet over high heat. Add the garlic and stir-fry until aromatic before adding the Sauce.

  • As soon as the Sauce thickens, add the fried chicken into the wok or skillet. Stir continuously until all the ingredients are well coated with the sauce. Dish out, garnish with the white sesame, and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Notes

Watch the cooking video on this page for step-by-step guide.

My batter is very thick because it will make the chicken extra crispy, even after adding the sauce. If it's too thick to work with, add 1-2 tablespoons water to loosen it up.

Course: Chicken Recipes

Cuisine: Chinese

Keywords: Sesame Chicken Recipe

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Sesame Chicken

Amount Per Serving (4 people)

Calories 304Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 9g56%

Cholesterol 36mg12%

Sodium 595mg26%

Carbohydrates 33g11%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 15g30%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

Sesame Chicken (The BEST Recipe with Video!!) - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

FAQs

Can you use sesame oil to fry chicken? ›

Sesame Oil

The neutral flavor and low smoke point make it ideal for stir-fried and sauteed meat dishes. It is full of antioxidants along with vitamin E and phytosterols that reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Is sesame chicken a Chinese food? ›

Sesame chicken is a dish commonly found in Chinese restaurants throughout the United States and Canada. The dish is similar to General Tso's chicken but the taste of the Chinese-based chicken is sweet rather than spicy.

What's the difference between General Chow chicken and sesame chicken? ›

General Tso's chicken is a spicy and tangy dish made with a mix of chicken breast and thighs, while sesame chicken is a sweeter option made with succulent chicken thighs. Whether you're in the mood for something spicy or sweet, both dishes offer a delicious and crispy meal that's sure to satisfy your cravings.”

Is sesame chicken from Chinese restaurant healthy? ›

Unlike traditional Chinese stir-fry dishes, sesame chicken can be high in calories, carbs and sugar thanks to the breading and sauce.

Which is better for frying sesame or olive oil? ›

Olive oil and sesame oil have different smoke points when it comes to deep frying. High-quality, unrefined extra virgin olive oil has a smoke point of about 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is usually suitable for home deep frying needs. Unrefined sesame oil has a lower smoke point, around 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Which sesame oil is best for frying? ›

But this added flavor makes toasted sesame oil better for finishing than cooking. It has a lower smoke point than regular sesame oil, which we use for shallow frying or roasting, mostly the same way we would use a neutral oil like canola or grapeseed. Think of it like bread. Bread isn't the same thing as toast.

What is sesame chicken sauce made of? ›

Mix chicken broth, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, chile paste, and garlic together in a small pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer.

Is teriyaki chicken the same as sesame chicken? ›

Is sesame chicken the same as teriyaki chicken? No. Sesame chicken is usually battered and fried in oil, then coated in a thick sweet sesame sauce. On the other hand, teriyaki chicken is usually grilled or pan fried and then glazed with a sweet sauce.

What is the difference between General Tso and Hunan chicken? ›

General Tso's Chicken is battered and deep fried whereas Hunan Chicken is lightly dusted in cornstarch and stir fried or lightly pan fried. General Tso's Chicken is sweet and mildly spicy, far less spicy than Hunan Chicken, with the zing coming from a generous amount of ginger verses chili peppers.

Why is sesame chicken so sweet? ›

Sesame chicken sauce is a balanced combination of sweet, sour and spicy that comes from light soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar and sugar.

What is orange chicken called at Chinese restaurants? ›

cheng zi ji (traditional Chinese: 橙子雞; simplified Chinese: 橙子鸡; pinyin: chéngzi jī; Jyutping: caang4-2 zi1 gai1; lit. 'orange chicken'), a calque.

What is kung bo? ›

Gong Bao or Kung Po) is a stir-fried Chinese dish that consists of cubed chicken in a sweet, spicy, and savory sauce. It originated in southwestern China in the early 1800s.

What is the healthiest thing to order at a Chinese restaurant? ›

Steamed Fish and Vegetables

Steamed fish and veggies are packed with fiber and protein. While you may think of steamed dishes as the sad diet food of years' past, this style of prep is is actually a primary cooking technique that's culturally authentic to Chinese cuisine, explains Iu.

Can diabetics eat Chinese food? ›

Chinese, Thai and Malaysian

Go for broth-based soups, rather than spring rolls or satays. Choose steamed or fragrant rice, or noodles. Stir-fried vegetables are a filling and healthy side dish.

What Chinese food is good for high cholesterol? ›

Opt for steamed dumplings instead of ordering egg rolls and fried dumplings. Sidestep fried or breaded meat entrees. Instead, choose baked, broiled, grilled, sautéed protein sources-chicken, fish, shellfish, lean beef or pork.

Can you use sesame oil as frying oil? ›

Sesame oil in cooking

As cooks and chefs value it for its flavour and fragrance, toasted sesame oil is used in Asian cooking as a seasoning rather than cooking oil. With a higher smoking point, untoasted sesame oil is great for deep-frying, as well as BBQs and regular shallow frying and stir-fry dishes.

Can I use sesame oil instead of oil? ›

It has a smoke point of somewhere between 410 and 445 degrees and can be used similarly to other neutral oils, such as canola or vegetable oil. Since there's not much difference between refined sesame oil and other neutral oils, there's no reason to add it to your pantry if it's not already there.

What oil is best for fried chicken? ›

Think vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. Don't use olive oil or butter—they both have lower smoke points. The ideal temperature for frying chicken is 350˚ to 365˚, and you'll want to make sure that you bring the oil back to temperature between batches.

Is sesame oil better than canola oil for frying? ›

Compared to olive and canola oil, sesame oil has a higher smoke point. It is between 350 degrees to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Sesame oil is better for frying too. Although the smoke point of the other two oils is also close to sesame oil, the nutritional benefits outweigh the smoke point.

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