Sesame chicken is a delicious and flavorful dish that is commonly found in Asian cuisines. This dish features tender pieces of chicken coated in a sweet and tangy sauce, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. It can be served as a main course with steamed rice or as an appetizer at parties.
To make sesame chicken, you will need a few key ingredients such as chicken breasts, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. The preparation involves marinating the chicken in a flavorful sauce, which helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with delicious flavors.
Pro tip: To make the chicken extra tender, you can add a teaspoon of baking soda to the marinade and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
Once the chicken has marinated, it is cooked in a pan until golden brown and crispy. The sauce is then prepared separately and added to the pan along with the chicken. The combination of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors creates a mouthwatering dish that is sure to impress your family and friends.
If you’re a fan of Asian cuisine and want to try a new recipe, give sesame chicken a try. With its simple yet delicious flavors, it is a dish that is sure to become a favorite in your household. So why wait? Get your ingredients ready and start cooking this amazing dish today!
Preparing Ingredients for Sesame Chicken
To make delicious sesame chicken, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Cooking oil for frying
Before you start cooking, make sure you have all the ingredients on hand. This will help you save time and ensure that you have everything you need. Now, let’s get started!
Gathering the Necessary Ingredients
To cook sesame chicken, you will need to gather the following ingredients:
For the chicken:
- 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
For the sauce:
- 1/4 cup of soy sauce
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
For frying:
- Vegetable oil
Make sure to have all these ingredients on hand before starting the cooking process.
Marinating the Chicken
To begin preparing sesame chicken, you will need to marinate the chicken in a delicious sauce. This will infuse the chicken with flavour and ensure it is moist and tender.
First, gather your ingredients for the marinade. You will need soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and some chili flakes for a hint of spice.
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili flakes. Whisk the ingredients together until well blended.
Next, place the chicken pieces into a large resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, making sure to coat each piece evenly. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for maximum flavour.
During the marinating process, turn the bag occasionally to ensure all parts of the chicken are marinated evenly. This will help the chicken to absorb the flavours more effectively.
Marinating the chicken is an essential step in preparing sesame chicken. It adds depth of flavour and creates a deliciously moist and tender chicken. Once the chicken has marinated for the desired amount of time, you can move on to the next step in the cooking process.
Creating the Marinade
To make the marinade for the sesame chicken, you will need the following ingredients:
Ingredients | Quantity |
---|---|
Soy sauce | 1/2 cup |
Honey | 1/4 cup |
Garlic, minced | 3 cloves |
Ginger, grated | 1 tablespoon |
Sesame oil | 1 tablespoon |
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Stir well until the ingredients are fully incorporated.
Once the marinade is ready, place the chicken pieces in a large zip-top bag and pour the marinade over them. Seal the bag and gently massage it to ensure that the chicken is evenly coated. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for better results.
After the chicken has marinated, it is ready to be cooked according to your preferred method. You can grill it, bake it, or fry it in a pan. Whichever method you choose, the sesame chicken will turn out deliciously flavorful and tender!
Cooking the Sesame Chicken
To cook sesame chicken, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, chopped
Step 1: Marinating the Chicken
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and honey. Mix well.
Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and place them in the marinade. Stir to coat the chicken with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for better flavor.
Step 2: Cooking the Chicken
In a large skillet or wok, heat some oil over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until it is no longer pink in the center, about 5-7 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Add this slurry to the skillet with the cooked chicken. Stir well to combine.
Continue cooking the chicken until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Remove the skillet from the heat and let the sesame chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
Now your sesame chicken is ready to be enjoyed! Serve it over steamed rice or with a side of vegetables.
Stir-Frying the Chicken
To make sesame chicken, you’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Start by slicing the chicken into thin, bite-sized pieces. Place the sliced chicken in a bowl and marinate it with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to absorb.
In a large skillet or wok, heat some vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the marinated chicken and stir-fry it for about 5-6 minutes, or until it is cooked through and slightly browned.
Next, add minced garlic and ginger to the skillet and stir-fry for another minute until fragrant. Then, add sliced bell peppers, carrots, and any other desired vegetables. Stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes, or until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame seeds. Pour this sauce over the chicken and vegetables in the skillet. Continue stirring and cooking for another minute, allowing the sauce to thicken and coat everything evenly.
Finally, remove the skillet from heat and garnish the sesame chicken with sliced green onions and additional sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Addition of Sauce and Sesame Seeds
Once the chicken is cooked, it’s time to add the delicious sauce and sesame seeds to elevate the dish to another level of flavor. This step will bring together all the ingredients and create a tasty glaze that coats the chicken pieces.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Make sure all the ingredients are well combined.
- In a separate bowl, dissolve the cornstarch in water, then add it to the sauce mixture. Stir until the cornstarch is fully incorporated and there are no lumps.
- Heat a skillet or wok over medium-high heat and add the sauce mixture to the pan.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for about 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens and becomes glossy.
- Add the cooked chicken pieces to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the chicken and continue cooking for another minute, allowing the seeds to toast slightly and adhere to the chicken.
Once the sesame chicken is coated in the sauce and the sesame seeds are toasted, it’s ready to be served. This addition brings a delightful blend of flavors to the dish, adding a nutty and savory taste. Serve the sesame chicken over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Servings | Cooking Time | Preparation Time |
---|---|---|
4 | 20 minutes | 10 minutes |
FAQ
What ingredients do I need to cook sesame chicken?
To cook sesame chicken, you will need the following ingredients: boneless, skinless chicken breasts, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic cloves, ginger, cornstarch, cold water, sesame seeds, and green onions.
How long does it take to cook sesame chicken?
The cooking time for sesame chicken may vary, but on average, it takes about 30 minutes to prepare and cook sesame chicken.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts to make sesame chicken. However, keep in mind that the cooking time may need to be adjusted as the thighs may take longer to cook.
Is sesame chicken a healthy dish?
While sesame chicken can be a delicious meal, it is not considered a healthy dish due to the deep-frying and high sugar content in the sauce. However, you can make healthier variations by baking the chicken instead of frying and using less sugar or alternative sweeteners in the sauce.
Can I make sesame chicken without soy sauce?
Yes, if you have a soy sauce allergy or prefer not to use soy sauce, you can make sesame chicken without it. You can try using tamari sauce, coconut aminos, or a soy sauce substitute available in the market as alternatives.
What is sesame chicken?
Sesame chicken is a popular Chinese dish made with chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy sesame sauce.