🥢 Sesame Chicken Recipe | Crispy, Sweet, and Savory Chinese Takeout Favorite

Sesame Chicken is one of those dishes that instantly makes your mouth water — golden crispy chicken bites coated in a glossy, sweet, and tangy sesame sauce, finished with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.

This recipe delivers restaurant-style Sesame Chicken right in your kitchen — perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and glazed with that signature sticky sesame sauce that makes every bite irresistible.

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🍯 What is Sesame Chicken?

Sesame Chicken (芝麻鸡) is a popular Chinese-American dish inspired by traditional Cantonese cooking but adapted for Western tastes.

It combines:

Deep-fried chicken pieces, lightly battered and crispy

A sweet-savory glaze made with soy sauce, honey (or sugar), vinegar, and sesame oil

And finally, toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top

It’s often compared to General Tso’s Chicken, but Sesame Chicken is less spicy, more fragrant, and sweeter, with that wonderful nutty sesame aroma.

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🍗 Ingredients You’ll Need

🐔 For the Chicken:

Boneless chicken thighs or breast – 500 g, cut into bite-sized cubes

Egg – 1

Cornstarch – 3 tbsp

All-purpose flour – 2 tbsp

Salt – ½ tsp

White pepper – ¼ tsp

Oil – for deep frying

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🍶 For the Sesame Sauce:

Light soy sauce – 2 tbsp

Dark soy sauce – 1 tsp

Rice vinegar – 1 tbsp

Honey – 2 tbsp (or use 1½ tbsp sugar)

Brown sugar – 1 tbsp

Tomato ketchup – 1 tbsp

Sesame oil – 1 tsp

Water – ¼ cup

Cornstarch – 1 tsp, mixed with 2 tsp water (slurry)

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🌿 For Garnish:

Toasted white sesame seeds – 2 tbsp

Chopped green onions – optional

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🔪 Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine egg, salt, white pepper, cornstarch, and flour.

Add chicken pieces and toss until evenly coated.

The batter should cling to the chicken without being too thick.

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Step 2: Deep-Fry the Chicken

Heat oil in a wok or deep skillet to 175°C (350°F).

Carefully add the chicken pieces in batches — do not overcrowd.

Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 4–5 minutes per batch.

Remove and drain on paper towels.

👉 Pro Tip: For extra crispiness, double fry the chicken:

After the first fry, rest the chicken for 5 minutes, then fry again for another 1–2 minutes until extra crisp.

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Step 3: Make the Sesame Sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauces, rice vinegar, honey, brown sugar, ketchup, sesame oil, and water.

Heat a clean wok or pan on medium heat.

Pour in the sauce and bring to a gentle simmer.

Stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.

Cook until it turns glossy and sticky.

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Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Add the fried chicken to the wok.

Toss quickly to coat every piece evenly with the sauce.

Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top and give a final toss.

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Step 5: Serve Hot

Serve immediately while hot and glossy.

Garnish with extra sesame seeds and chopped spring onions for color.

Enjoy your homemade Sesame Chicken with:

Steamed jasmine rice 🍚

Vegetable fried rice

Or stir-fried noodles 🍜

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Sesame Chicken pairs beautifully with:

Garlic Fried Rice

Vegetable Chow Mein

Steamed Broccoli

Egg Drop Soup

For a complete Chinese takeout-style meal, serve it alongside Sweet and Sour Chicken or Orange Chicken for a fun dinner spread.

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🧠 Chef’s Tips for Perfect Sesame Chicken

✅ Use thigh meat for extra juiciness — it stays tender even after frying.

✅ Double fry for unbeatable crispiness.

✅ Don’t overcook the sauce — remove from heat as soon as it thickens.

✅ Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan for a few seconds to enhance aroma.

✅ Add spice — a dash of chili flakes or Sriracha can turn it into Spicy Sesame Chicken.

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🕒 Preparation & Cooking Time

Step	Time
Preparation	15 minutes
Marination	10 minutes
Cooking	20 minutes
Total Time	45 minutes

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🍜 Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Calories: 490 kcal

Protein: 32 g

Fat: 22 g

Carbohydrates: 40 g

Sodium: 950 mg

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🌏 Origin & Cultural Notes

While Sesame Chicken doesn’t have a direct traditional Chinese counterpart, it draws inspiration from Cantonese fried dishes and Sichuan-style sauces.

It became popular in North America in the 1980s as part of the “Chinese takeout revolution.”

Restaurants in New York and California added sesame sauce to fried chicken to cater to Western palates craving sweet, sticky, and nutty flavors.

Today, it’s one of the most ordered Chinese-American dishes worldwide, loved for its crispy-sweet balance and sesame aroma.

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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Sesame Chicken

Crispy, golden chicken bites 🍗

Coated in a rich, sticky sesame glaze 🍯

Sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavor profile 🌟

Ready in under an hour ⏱️

Perfect for family dinners, parties, or meal prep

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📌 Variations to Try

Baked Sesame Chicken: Skip deep-frying — bake coated chicken at 200°C for 20 minutes.

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken: 180°C for 15–18 minutes, then toss in sauce.

Spicy Sesame Chicken: Add chili paste or red pepper flakes to sauce.

Vegan Sesame Tofu: Replace chicken with firm tofu cubes.

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🧧 Final Thoughts

Sesame Chicken is the perfect harmony of crispy texture and rich sesame flavor — a true comfort dish that never fails to impress.

It’s ideal for anyone who loves sweet, saucy, and crunchy Chinese takeout but wants to make it fresh and better at home.

With just a few pantry ingredients, you’ll have this restaurant classic ready to serve — sticky, fragrant, and totally irresistible.