Sesame Chicken with the Best Sesame Sauce

This Sesame Chicken recipe is guaranteed to be a hit with everyone!

When I’m in the mood for something sweet, savory, nutty and packed with flavor, Sesame Chicken is what I make! It’s incredibly easy to put together and makes for a wholesome chicken dinner.

While I love a good deep-fried crunchy sesame chicken, I prefer a healthier pan-fried version for my weekly menus. And when combined with the delicious sesame sauce, trust me you won’t miss the crunch!

Sesame Chicken Recipe

This is an easy, no deep-fry version. The sesame sauce is versatile and can be adapted to your preference. If you like it sweeter, add a bit more sugar. If you like it saltier, add a bit more soy sauce.

Here is an overview of all the ingredients and steps to make sesame chicken. Refer to the recipe card below for the detailed recipe.

Ingredients for Sesame Chicken

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs. Chicken thighs are the jucier and tastier option. If using chicken breasts, be careful not to overcook them
• Sesame seeds: Toasted sesame seeds add a nutty deliciousness to the dish. Freshly toasted seeds are ideal
• Toasted sesame oil: Add a few drops of toasted sesame oil towards the end of cooking for a more nuanced sesame favor
• Scallions/spring onions: The white part of the scallions give the sauce aroma and flavor. The green part is used as a garnish to add freshness to the dish
• Garlic: Garlic complements the sesame flavor well. Add more or less as per your preference
• Ginger: Fresh ginger is used in the marinade to add a zesty and aromatic flavor
• Flour: All-purpose flour is used to coat the chicken pieces before pan frying. This creates a light texture on the meat
• Salt & pepper: Add it to your liking
• Cooking oil: Any neutral flavored cooking oil
• Sesame sauce: A combination of light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, ketchup, sugar, vinegar, sesame paste, water and cornstarch. Sesame paste is a key ingredient in this sauce

Sesame Chicken Sauce

This sesame sauce is out of this world! It’s the perfect combination of nutty, sweet, salty and sour.

• Light soy sauce: Adds salty and savory umami flavor
• Dark soy sauce: Adds deep color and mild sweetness
• Ketchup: Adds tanginess, sweetness and makes the dish visually appealing
• Sugar: Adds sweetness. Adjust to your liking
• Sesame paste: This boosts sesame flavor in the sauce. Chinese sesame paste or tahini works
• Vinegar: Adds acidity. Rice vinegar or white vinegar works
• Water & cornstarch: Used to thicken and provide body to the sauce

How to make Sesame Chicken

1. Marinate the chicken: Cut chicken into bite sized pieces. Add 1/2 tsp grated ginger, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper and 2 tbsp all-purpose flour. Mix well and marinate for 30 minutes
2. Prep the aromatics: Thinly slice 3 scallions/spring onions (white and green separated) and mince 1 tbsp fresh garlic
3. Mix the sauces: Add all the sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth. This eases the cooking process
4. Toast sesame seeds: On low heat, lightly toast 1-2 tbsp sesame seeds until they turn slightly golden
5. Pan fry the chicken: Pan fry the marinated chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through. Chicken breast should be cooked through in 3-4 minutes and chicken thighs in 7-8 minutes
6. Cook the sauce: Saute the scallion whites and minced garlic until fragrant. Next add the sauce mix and simmer until it thickens. Taste and adjust to your preference
7. Toss in the fried chicken: Add the pan-fried chicken to the sauce along with 1-2 tsp toasted sesame oil. Toss until the chicken is warmed through
8. Garnish: Add some of the toasted sesame seeds, scallion greens and mix well. Finally, garnish it with the remaining toasted sesame seeds and scallion greens

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

Substitutes

No sesame paste/tahini?

Crush 1 tsp of toasted sesame seeds with a mortar and pestle or with a coffee grinder.

No rice/white vinegar?

Substitute with an additional 1 tbsp ketchup. Use red chilli sauce for a spicy kick.

No dark soy sauce?

Skip it.

No fresh ginger or garlic?

Substitute dried ginger in the marinadea Add garlic powder to the sauce mixture. However, these might change the taste or the dish.

No all-purpose flour?

Use equal quantities of cornstarch, tapioca starch, potato starch or rice flour.

Other Asian Chicken Recipes

Chicken and broccoli stir fry

Chinese garlic chicken