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Crispy Savory Sesame Chicken Recipe Easy Sweet Sticky Glaze Made Perfect

crispy savory sesame chicken - featured image

A crispy, savory sesame chicken with a sweet sticky glaze that balances sweet and salty flavors perfectly, topped with toasted sesame seeds for a nutty crunch. Quick and easy to make, this dish is perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (can substitute with canola or peanut oil)
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (optional)
  • 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. In a shallow bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and cornstarch. In another bowl, beat the egg.
  3. Dredge each chicken piece first in the egg, then coat thoroughly with the flour-cornstarch mix. Set aside on a plate.
  4. Pour about 1½ inches of oil into a frying pan or wok. Heat over medium-high until it reaches around 350°F or a small piece of bread sizzles and browns in about 30 seconds.
  5. Fry the chicken pieces in batches for about 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
  6. While frying, whisk together soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  7. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the simmering sauce. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the glaze thickens to a syrupy consistency.
  8. Add the fried chicken into the glaze, tossing gently but thoroughly to coat each piece.
  9. Transfer the glazed chicken to a serving dish and sprinkle generously with toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

Keep the oil temperature steady around 350°F to avoid greasy or undercooked chicken. Toss chicken in glaze off the heat to prevent burning. Toast sesame seeds fresh for best flavor. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour blend and tamari instead of soy sauce. Reheat leftovers in a skillet to revive crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: sesame chicken, crispy chicken, sweet sticky glaze, easy dinner, fried chicken, savory chicken, quick recipe