Perfect Sesame Chicken

Tender, crispy sesame chicken in a sweet and tangy sauce that's easy to customize to make it more sweet or spicy, depending on how you like it.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 40 mins
• Calories: 507 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon dry sherry
• 1 dash sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast meat - cubed
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon chile paste
• 1 quart olive oil for frying
• 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 cup water
• 0.25 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 cup cornstarch

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Prepare the battered chicken: Sift flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder into a bowl. Pour in low-sodium soy sauce, sherry, 2 tablespoons water, vegetable oil, and dash sesame oil; stir until smooth. Stir in chicken until coated with the batter, then cover, and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Step 2

Meanwhile, make the sauce: Bring chicken broth, sugar, vinegar, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, chile paste, and garlic to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Dissolve 1/4 cup cornstarch into 1/2 cup water, and stir into boiling sauce. Simmer until the sauce thickens and turns clear, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, and keep sauce warm.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Step 4

Carefully drop in battered chicken pieces, a few at a time, and fry until they turn golden brown and float to the top of the oil, 3 to 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 5

To serve, place fried chicken pieces onto a serving platter, and pour the hot sauce overtop. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds to garnish.

Step 6

Gather all ingredients.