Sweet, crispy, and bursting with bold flavor, sesame chicken is a beloved takeout favorite made right at home. This sesame chicken delivers golden-fried bites drenched in a sticky, savory-sweet glaze.
A perfect balance of honey, soy, and sesame, this easy recipe transforms simple chicken breast into a crave-worthy dish you’ll want on repeat. Serve with rice or noodles for the full experience.
Star Ingredients for Perfect Sesame Chicken
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – Cut into bite-sized pieces, they crisp beautifully and soak up the flavorful sauce.
- Eggs – Help the coating stick for that signature crunchy exterior.
- All-purpose flour and cornstarch – This dynamic duo creates the ultra-crispy texture we all love.
- Honey – Adds a rich, sticky sweetness that balances the umami of soy sauce.
- Soy sauce – Deepens the savory notes and adds saltiness to the glaze.
- Brown sugar – Enhances the sauce with a caramel-like richness.
- Rice vinegar – Brightens the sauce with acidity, keeping flavors balanced.
- Toasted sesame oil – Adds nutty depth and a warm, roasted aroma.
- Garlic – Fragrant and essential for building flavor at the base of the sauce.
- Sesame seeds and green onions – Final touches that add texture and color to every bite.
How to Make Sesame Chicken at Home
Dip the chicken pieces in egg, then coat in the flour-cornstarch blend until fully covered. Fry in hot oil until crispy and golden brown.
While the chicken fries, cook garlic in a touch of oil, then stir in the sauce ingredients. Simmer until thickened into a glossy glaze.
Toss the fried chicken in the warm sauce until well coated. Finish with sesame seeds and green onions, and serve immediately.
Tips, Tricks, and Flavor Twists
For extra crispiness, double-fry the chicken by letting it rest briefly after the first fry, then returning it to the oil for a final quick fry.
Swap chicken breast for boneless chicken thighs if you prefer more juiciness. To spice things up, add a dash of sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Want to make it a full meal? Serve your sesame chicken over steamed jasmine rice or alongside stir-fried vegetables like broccoli or snow peas.
You can also make the sauce in advance—up to two days early. Store it in the fridge and reheat before tossing with your freshly fried chicken.
Keeping It Fresh: Storing Leftover Sesame Chicken
Leftover sesame chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. To maintain crispiness, reheat it in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Avoid microwaving if possible, as it softens the crispy coating. If you’d like to freeze it, store the sauce and chicken separately for best results, then reheat and toss together when ready to enjoy.
Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Oil for frying
For the Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce preferably reduced sodium
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon fresh garlic minced
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs with salt and pepper, whisking until well blended. In a separate shallow dish, mix together the flour and cornstarch. Dip each chicken piece first into the egg mixture, followed by the flour blend, ensuring an even coating.
- Heat approximately 3 inches of oil in a deep skillet or pot until it reaches 350°F. Fry 7–8 chicken pieces at a time for about 5 minutes, or until they are golden and crisp. Continue frying the remaining chicken in batches and set them aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by whisking together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and cornstarch in a bowl until smooth. Warm the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the garlic, and sauté briefly for 30 seconds. Pour in the sauce mixture and allow it to simmer for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Add the fried chicken into the skillet with the sauce and stir thoroughly to coat every piece. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
