Homemade Crispy Sesame Chicken

cooked crispy sesame chicken held up by chopsticks.

4.26 from 59 votes

Skip the take-out and make your very own Homemade Crispy Sesame Chicken with simple and easy ingredients you already have in your pantry!

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 20

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 327kcal

Author Tracy

Equipment

instant read thermometer optional

Ingredients

For the chicken

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
oil for frying vegetable

For the sauce

2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided into 1 tablespoon and another 3 teaspoons or vegetable oil
2-3 gloves garlic, minced or 2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup Low sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon hoisin
1/3 cup ketchup
1 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons sliced green onions

Instructions

In a medium to large sized shallow bowl, combine flour and cornstarch.
In another bowl, whisk eggs and add salt and pepper and mix well.
Coat the chicken by dipping each piece of chicken into the egg mixture with tongs and then into the flour. Add to a large plate. Repeat with all of the chicken.
In a deep pot (one that will be good for frying), add about 3- 3 1/2 inches of oil and heat on medium until oil is 350 degrees. It's best to use a thermometer for this, but you can also do the wooden spoon test.*
Once oil is to temp, add chicken to oil (only about 8 pieces of chicken at a time as to not crowd the pot) and cook for 5 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Remove from oil and add to a paper towel lined plate. Repeat with all of the chicken.
Let chicken drain on a paper towel lined plate.
Meanwhile, combine the honey, hoisin, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in a bowl. You can also prepare this sauce a day in advance.
Heat 1 teaspoon of sesame oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds just enough for it to become fragrant, but be sure to not burn it. Then add the sauce, bring it to a simmer, and then let it all cook together for about 3 minutes.
Once sauce has thickened, add the crispy chicken to the pan and coat all the pieces fully with the sauce. Once well coated, drizzle remaining 2 teaspoons of sesame oil over the top.
Add sesame seeds and green onions to the top of the chicken and then serve!

Video

Notes

*Wooden Spoon Test: Place the end of a wooden spoon in oil. If oil bubbles gently around spoon handle, it is ready. If it bubble vigorously, then it is too hot and you should let it cool a little before checking the temp again.

Make Ahead: You can make the sauce the day before and store in the fridge. Mix the flour and cornstarch ahead and store in an airtight container before you're ready to reduce prep time for a faster weeknight dinner.

Nutrition