What Is Sesame Chicken?
Sesame chicken is a very popular Chinese dish that is served in many Chinese restaurants, as well as in some American Chinese restaurants. It is usually made with chicken that is deep fried, smothered in a sweet and savory sauce, and then sprinkled with sesame seeds. It is typically served with steamed rice and vegetables. This dish is often served as part of a multi-course meal, but it can also be served as a main course. This dish is sometimes referred to as General Tso's chicken, although the two dishes are not the same.
What You'll Need For This Recipe
For this recipe, you'll need chicken breasts, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, sugar, red pepper flakes, and sesame seeds. You'll also need some vegetable oil for frying, and some cornstarch for coating the chicken. You'll also need some scallions for garnish, and some steamed rice for serving.
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Start by cutting the chicken into cubes. Place the cubes in a bowl, and add the sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, garlic, ginger, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Mix everything together until the chicken is evenly coated. Then cover the bowl, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
2. When the chicken is done marinating, take it out of the refrigerator and put it in a large bowl. Add the cornstarch, and mix until the chicken is completely coated. Then heat up some vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. When the oil is hot, add the chicken cubes and fry them for about 5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Once the chicken is done, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
4. To make the sauce, add the remaining marinade to the same skillet, and cook until it is thick and bubbly. Then reduce the heat to low and add the fried chicken back to the skillet. Toss everything together until the chicken is coated in the sauce. Then transfer it to a serving plate.
5. Sprinkle some sesame seeds on top of the chicken, and garnish with some scallions. Serve over steamed rice, and enjoy!
Tips For Making The Best Sesame Chicken
- Make sure to marinate the chicken for at least an hour to give it time to absorb all the flavors. If you don't have time, you can marinate it overnight in the refrigerator.
- If you want to make the sauce spicier, you can add some extra red pepper flakes or some hot sauce.
- If you want to make the sauce sweeter, you can add a little bit of honey or brown sugar.
- If you don't have sesame oil, you can substitute it with peanut oil.
Conclusion
Sesame chicken is a classic Chinese dish that is easy to make at home. It's made with chicken that is deep fried and smothered in a sweet and savory sauce, and then sprinkled with sesame seeds. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious and flavorful dish that is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. Give this recipe a try, and you're sure to be impressed!
