Happy Family Sesame Chicken
Bring joy to your dinner table with this irresistible Happy Family Sesame Chicken recipe! Featuring tender, golden-crisp chicken thighs paired with a vibrant medley of broccoli, carrots, red bell peppers, and crunchy water chestnuts, this dish is a true feast for the senses. Tossed in a luscious, flavorful sauce made with honey, soy sauce, ginger, and toasted sesame oil, each bite delivers the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Garnished with nutty sesame seeds and fresh scallions, this restaurant-style sesame chicken is elevated with a homemade touch—and it all comes together in just 40 minutes! Serve it over fluffy white rice for a wholesome, satisfying meal the whole family will love. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or special occasions, this sesame chicken recipe is the ultimate comfort food that’s sure to become a favorite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 0.5 cup cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
- 0.5 cup water chestnuts, sliced
- 0.25 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 4 cups cooked white rice
- 0.25 cup water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for sauce thickening)
Instructions
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
In a bowl, whisk the egg. Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat.
Place 0.5 cups of cornstarch on a plate. Remove the chicken pieces from the egg mixture and dredge each piece in the cornstarch, ensuring it is well coated. Shake off excess.
In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 cup of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in small batches until golden and crispy on all sides (about 5-6 minutes per batch). Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Carefully remove most of the oil from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add the broccoli, carrot, and bell pepper to the pan. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
Add the sliced water chestnuts to the vegetables. Stir-fry for 1 minute.
In a small bowl, whisk together the low-sodium soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger. In another small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 0.25 cups water to form a slurry.
Pour the sauce mixture into the pan with the vegetables. Allow it to simmer for 1-2 minutes.
Slowly stir in the cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce. Let it cook for 1 more minute, or until the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
Add the fried chicken back into the pan. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated in the sauce.
Sprinkle sesame seeds and scallions on top for garnish.
Serve the Happy Family Sesame Chicken over cooked white rice. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4430 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 284.0 g | 364% | |
| Saturated Fat | 49.1 g | 246% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 141.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 646 mg | 215% | |
| Sodium | 4167 mg | 181% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 328.4 g | 119% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.0 g | 57% | |
| Total Sugars | 67.7 g | ||
| Protein | 161.4 g | 323% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.1 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 279 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 18.5 mg | 103% | |
| Potassium | 2758 mg | 59% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
