The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (2024)

  • Chicken Stir-Fry
  • Chinese-American
  • Fried Chicken
  • Chicken Thighs
  • Chicken Mains

Classic Chinese take-out, made in your own kitchen.

By

J. Kenji López-Alt

The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (1)

J. Kenji López-Alt

Culinary Consultant

Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated December 06, 2022

(9)

WRITE A REVIEW

Trending Videos

Why It Works

  • A balanced sauce has plenty of vinegary kick to balance out the cloying sweetness that most restaurant versions have.
  • Cooking the aromatics for the sauce at a lower temperature lets their flavors develop without having to superheat your wok or skillet.
  • Adding vodka to the chicken coating inhibits gluten formation and leaves you with a crisper crust.
  • Adding some of the marinade to the dry coating mixture makes more surface area which results in extra crunch.

I developed a great technique for perfecting General Tso’s crispy, battered chicken, which is easily transferred to make an amazing orange chicken, or this sesame chicken. Once you start with the General Tso's base, sesame chicken is even easier than orange chicken. The main difference is that sesame chicken tends to be a little sweeter (if you can imagine that) than General Tso's, with no heat, and a good shower of toasted sesame seeds is added to the sauce.

The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (3)

I make the sauce almost the exact same way I make my General Tso's sauce: sautéed garlic, ginger, and scallions deglazed with a sweet-tart mixture of soy, wine, vinegar, chicken stock, and sugar. I add a little extra sugar and sesame oil to the mix in this case, but otherwise, it's pretty much identical.

The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (4)

Once the chicken is tossed with the sauce, I pile it up in the authentic manner: with steamed broccoli florets and a shower of toasted sesame seeds.

The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (5)

This story was originally published under the column name "The Food Lab Redux."

July 2014

Recipe Details

The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe

Prep10 mins

Cook20 mins

Active45 mins

Total30 mins

Serves4to 6 servings

Ingredients

For the Marinade:

  • 1 egg white

  • 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (see notes)

  • 2 tablespoons 80-proof vodka

  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1/2- to 3/4-inch chunks (see notes)

For the Dry Coating:

  • 1/2 cup flour

  • 1/2 cup cornstarch

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Sauce:

  • 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (see notes)

  • 2 tablespoons Chinese rice vinegar or distilled white vinegar

  • 3 tablespoons homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock

  • 5 tablespoons sugar

  • 2 teaspoons roasted sesame seed oil

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

  • 2 teaspoons peanut, vegetable, or canola oil

  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 medium cloves)

  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger (about one 1-inch piece)

  • 2 teaspoons minced scallion bottoms (about 1 scallion)

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

To Finish:

  • 2 quarts peanut, canola, or vegetable oil for deep frying

  • Steamed white rice and steamed broccoli for serving

Directions

  1. For the Marinade: Beat egg whites in a large bowl until broken down and lightly foamy. Add soy sauce, wine, and vodka and whisk to combine. Set aside half of marinade in a small bowl. Add baking soda and cornstarch to the large bowl and whisk to combine. Add chicken to large bowl and turn with fingers to coat thoroughly. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside.

    The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (6)

  2. For the Dry Coat: Combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Whisk until hom*ogenous. Add reserved marinade and whisk until mixture has coarse, mealy clumps. Set aside.

    The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (7)

  3. For the Sauce: Combine soy sauce, wine, vinegar, chicken stock, sugar, sesame seed oil, and cornstarch in a small bowl and stir with a fork until cornstarch is dissolved and no lumps remain. Set aside.

    The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (8)

  4. Combine oil, garlic, ginger, and minced scallions in a large skillet and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until vegetables are aromatic and soft, but not browned, about 3 minutes. Stir sauce mixture and add to skillet, making sure to scrape up any sugar or starch that has sunk to the bottom. Cook, stirring, until sauce boils and thickens, about 1 minute. Add half of sesame seeds. Transfer sauce to a bowl to stop cooking, but don't wipe out skillet.

    The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (9)

  5. To Finish: Heat 1 1/2 quarts peanut, vegetable, or canola oil in a large wok or Dutch oven to 350°F (177°C) and adjust flame to maintain temperature.

  6. Working one piece at a time, transfer chicken from marinade to dry coat mixture, tossing in between each addition to coat chicken. When all chicken is added to dry coat, toss with hands, pressing dry mixture onto chicken so it adheres, and making sure that every piece is coated thoroughly.

    The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (10)

  7. Lift chicken one piece at a time, shake off excess coating, and carefully lower into hot oil (do not drop it). Once all chicken is added, cook, agitating with long chopsticks or a metal spider, and adjusting flame to maintain a temperature of 325 to 375°F (163-190°C), until chicken is cooked through and very crispy, about 4 minutes. Transfer chicken to a paper towel-lined bowl to drain.

    The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (11)

  8. Add chicken to empty skillet and return sauce to skillet. Toss chicken, folding it with a rubber spatula until all pieces are thoroughly coated. Sprinkle with remaining sesame seeds and serve immediately with white rice and steamed broccoli.

    The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (12)

Special Equipment

Wok or Dutch oven for deep frying

Notes

Shaoxing wine can be found in most Asian markets. If unavailable, dry sherry can be used in its place.

If you can't find boneless skinless chicken thighs, you can debone them yourself using this guide.

Read More

  • Chinese-American Orange Chicken
  • The Best General Tso's Chicken
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
500Calories
20g Fat
54g Carbs
24g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4to 6
Amount per serving
Calories500
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 20g26%
Saturated Fat 3g16%
Cholesterol 108mg36%
Sodium 962mg42%
Total Carbohydrate 54g20%
Dietary Fiber 1g4%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 24g
Vitamin C 0mg2%
Calcium 78mg6%
Iron 2mg11%
Potassium 331mg7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The Best Chinese Sesame Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the sauce made of in sesame chicken? ›

In a separate bowl, create your sauce by combining light soy sauce, ketchup, chicken stock, sugar, honey, and sesame oil. Mix until well combined and set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, white pepper, and baking powder.

What is the difference between TSO and sesame chicken? ›

General Tso's chicken is a spicy and tangy dish made with a mix of chicken breast and thighs, while sesame chicken is a sweeter option made with succulent chicken thighs. Whether you're in the mood for something spicy or sweet, both dishes offer a delicious and crispy meal that's sure to satisfy your cravings.”

Is sesame chicken authentic Chinese food? ›

Sesame Chicken isn't a real Chinese cuisine, but Asian restaurants have promoted it. Despite the fact that certain recipes call for a brief soak in sesame oil and soy sauce, the majority isn't marinated. Bite-sized bits of chicken breast are often breaded in flour and cornstarch before being with salt and black pepper.

Is Chinese sesame chicken good for you? ›

Named after a Chinese war hero, this fat-laden dish won't help you win any weight loss battles. The breaded, fried chicken is smothered in a sugary sauce. One order clocks in at around 1,500 calories and 88 grams of fat, and it delivers more sodium than you should get in a day.

What does Chinese sesame chicken have in it? ›

The dish involves chicken (usually thigh) pieces that are de-boned, battered and Chinese deep-fried, then dressed with a translucent, reddish-brown, semi-thick, somewhat sweet sauce made from corn starch, vinegar, wine or sake, chicken broth and sugar, the last of which is a major contributor to sesame chicken's ...

What's better orange chicken or sesame chicken? ›

They are both alike, the only difference is with the sauces. Orange Chicken does not typically included any sesame seeds. Sauce is made from orange juice, orange zest, vinegar, ginger, soy sauce. Sesame Chicken, the sauce is also sweet but it does not included any of the orange flavoring.

What is better Szechuan chicken or General Tso's? ›

General Tso's chicken is about the most dangerous Chinese dish on the menu—dark meat battered and deep-fried, then cooked with vegetables in a sweet, spicy sauce. Szechuan chicken, made with leaner, white meat and sautéed with vegetables, is a far better choice.

What is grandfather chicken? ›

Grandfather's Chicken is typically prepared by marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and other seasonings. The marinated chicken is then either pan-fried or braised until it is cooked through and the flavors have infused into the meat.

Why is sesame chicken so sweet? ›

Sesame chicken sauce is a balanced combination of sweet, sour and spicy that comes from light soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar and sugar.

Does sesame chicken taste like General Tso? ›

Sesame Chicken is typically salty with a hint of sweetness, served with sesame seeds. General Tsos is typically sweeter with a little more heat and served with broccoli and carrots. The sauce is usually more red in color than the brown sauce served with sesame chicken.

How long does Chinese sesame chicken last in the fridge? ›

Sesame chicken will stay good in the refrigerator for 3 – 4 days. Make sure it's covered tightly. What is this? Reheat it in the microwave or stovetop and if the sauce seems too thick, a splash of water or chicken broth will help to get it back to it's originally consistency.

What is the healthiest thing to order at a Chinese restaurant? ›

Healthier choices include steamed brown rice, sautéed or steamed vegetables, spring rolls, or soups like egg drop soup or hot and sour soup. Veggie-based items like edamame, lettuce wraps, braised bamboo shoots, or cucumber salad are a few other great options you can try.

Does sesame chicken contain soy sauce? ›

Sesame chicken sauce is a balanced combination of sweet, sour and spicy that comes from light soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, rice vinegar and sugar.

What is in Chinese sauce? ›

Basically, the most common American-Chinese Cantonese sauce (like for beef and broccoli) is almost always Oyster Sauce, Soy sauce, Corn Starch, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, Chicken/Pork/Beef stock and optionally sesame oil. Many people add additional MSG powder to the sauce.

Is tahini sauce the same as sesame sauce? ›

Tahini is sometimes listed as a substitute for sesame paste, but in my mind, the two aren't interchangeable. Though tahini is also made from white sesame seeds, those seeds are usually untoasted or lightly toasted. By comparison, toasted sesame paste is more assertive and aromatic and also thicker in texture.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Twana Towne Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5832

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Twana Towne Ret

Birthday: 1994-03-19

Address: Apt. 990 97439 Corwin Motorway, Port Eliseoburgh, NM 99144-2618

Phone: +5958753152963

Job: National Specialist

Hobby: Kayaking, Photography, Skydiving, Embroidery, Leather crafting, Orienteering, Cooking

Introduction: My name is Twana Towne Ret, I am a famous, talented, joyous, perfect, powerful, inquisitive, lovely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.