Sesame Chicken from the Ground Up
Transform your weeknight dinner routine with "Sesame Chicken from the Ground Up," a homemade twist on the takeout favorite that’s irresistibly crispy and lusciously saucy. Tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken thighs are coated in a perfectly balanced cornstarch and flour mixture, fried to golden perfection, and then tossed in a sweet, tangy, and savory sesame glaze infused with soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. Finished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions for a flavorful crunch, this dish pairs beautifully with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal bursting with Asian-inspired flair. Quick to prepare in just 45 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy evenings where you crave bold, restaurant-quality flavors from the comfort of home.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 quart vegetable oil
- 0.25 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 0.25 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for slurry)
- 1.5 tablespoons water (for slurry)
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
Instructions
Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and pat them dry with paper towels.
In a large bowl, mix together the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper.
Dredge the chicken pieces in the cornstarch and flour mixture until they are well coated. Set the coated chicken aside.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large, deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 350°F (175°C).
Fry the chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, until the pieces are golden brown and cooked through. This should take about 5 minutes per batch. Remove the cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
In a medium saucepan, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and 1/4 cup of water. Whisk everything together and cook over medium heat until the mixture begins to simmer.
In a small bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 1.5 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Add this slurry to the saucepan and whisk constantly until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
Remove the sauce from heat and pour it over the fried chicken in a large mixing bowl. Toss to evenly coat the chicken in the sauce.
Sprinkle the coated chicken with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions for garnish.
Serve immediately with steamed rice or your favorite noodles. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2474 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 239.4 g | 307% | |
| Saturated Fat | 35.7 g | 178% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 143.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 119 mg | 40% | |
| Sodium | 1152 mg | 50% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 67.4 g | 25% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.0 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 19.5 g | ||
| Protein | 33.7 g | 67% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 61 mg | 5% | |
| Iron | 2.4 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 438 mg | 9% | |
*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.
