Who needs takeout when you can effortlessly create a dish that’s even better right in your own kitchen? This Easy Sesame Chicken is the ultimate weeknight wonder, delivering a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors with just the right amount of kick. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will quickly become a cherished family favorite, proving that homemade always tastes best.
Updated: This timeless recipe was originally shared in February 2017 and has consistently been one of the most popular dishes here at The Beach House Kitchen. Its enduring appeal truly deserved a fresh look! We’ve updated this post with all-new mouth-watering photos and enhanced notes to guide you, while preserving the heartwarming, original content that makes this recipe so special.
Easy Homemade Sesame Chicken: Better Than Takeout in 30 Minutes!
There’s nothing quite like the comfort of a delicious meal shared with loved ones. Today, I’m delighted to share a recipe that holds a particularly special place in my heart – not just because it’s incredibly tasty, but because it’s deeply tied to family and life’s big moments. This Easy Sesame Chicken recipe isn’t just about food; it’s about connections, goodbyes, and the universal comfort that only a home-cooked meal can provide.
Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and sometimes those curveballs involve sending your youngest “baby” off on an adventure across the world. This morning, bright and early, I saw my dear Casey off on a plane to Bali, with a stop in Shanghai. While I’ve spent weeks steeling myself for this day, preparing for the emotional farewell, it’s still incredibly tough. So today, I’m finding solace in the sweet and savory goodness of this Easy Sesame Chicken (leftovers from Casey’s going-away dinner), a batch of double chocolate chip cookies I baked for his long flights, and a much-needed Netflix binge. Sometimes, a box of Kleenex and comfort food are the only remedies.
The Journey and the Meal: A Special Farewell Dinner
Yesterday was a whirlwind of activity: packing last-minute essentials, securing toiletries, medicines, and even a small gift for his host mother in Shanghai. And, of course, a special request from his friends Mike and Mark, who are already studying abroad in Bali – apparently, the toothpaste there is nothing like what we have here! It’s these small, quirky details that make the departure feel real and emphasize how far he’s going.
Logically, I know I should be perfectly fine. This isn’t our first time sending a child off to explore the world; our oldest son, Sean, studied in Buenos Aires during college. But Casey… well, Casey isn’t exactly the most organized fellow. He’s incredibly bright and charming, but he tends to fly by the seat of his pants most of the time. So far, this approach seems to work out for him, and I can only cross my fingers that his luck holds. What else can a mom do?
Given Casey’s upcoming journey, it felt only right to prepare one of his all-time favorite American-Chinese dishes for his farewell dinner: this irresistible Easy Sesame Chicken. I know that authentic Chinese cuisine is vastly different from our American interpretations, but this particular recipe is exceptionally simple, utterly delicious, and always the first dish he requests when Chinese food is on the menu. It’s a taste of home that I hope he carries with him, no matter where his travels take him.
Better Than Takeout: Crafting the Perfect Homemade Sesame Chicken
Forget calling for delivery – this homemade sesame chicken recipe rivals, and arguably surpasses, any takeout you’ve ever had. The secret lies in its perfectly balanced sauce: a delectable blend of sweet and tangy notes, subtly elevated with a hint of sriracha for that desirable kick. If you prefer a bolder spice profile, feel free to increase the sriracha to your liking. We generously coat the chicken in both black and toasted sesame seeds, creating a beautiful visual and an extra layer of nutty flavor, though regular sesame seeds work just as well. To ensure we get our daily dose of nutrients, I’ve loaded this dish with vibrant snow peas and thinly sliced carrots. However, don’t hesitate to customize it with your favorite vegetables – broccoli, bell peppers, or even asparagus would be fantastic additions.
Key Ingredients for Flavorful Sesame Chicken
To create this culinary masterpiece, you’ll need a selection of fresh and pantry staples:
- Rice: The perfect accompaniment to soak up all that incredible sauce.
- Fresh Vegetables: Snow peas or sugar snap peas, and crisp carrots for vibrant color and texture.
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are recommended for their juiciness, but chicken breasts are also an option.
- Crisping Agents: Cornstarch to give the chicken a delightful crispy coating.
- Seasonings: Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper for fundamental flavor.
- Flavorful Sauce Base: Soy sauce, rich honey, zesty rice wine vinegar, and a kick of sriracha sauce.
- Aromatics & Nutty Finish: Toasted sesame oil, fresh ginger (finely minced), fragrant garlic (finely minced), and plenty of toasted sesame seeds.
Choosing Your Chicken and Essential Cooking Tips
For this recipe, I primarily use boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they consistently deliver a succulent, flavorful result that remains tender even when cooked quickly. However, if you prefer white meat, boneless, skinless chicken breasts can certainly be substituted. A crucial tip for using chicken breasts is to brine them before cooking. Brining works wonders by infusing moisture and tenderness, preventing the chicken from drying out during the cooking process. To brine, simply combine 6 cups of cold water with 3 tablespoons of kosher salt in a bowl and stir until the salt dissolves. Add your cut chicken pieces, ensuring they are fully submerged, and let them sit for a good 30 minutes. After brining, remove the chicken from the solution, rinse it thoroughly with cold water to remove excess salt, pat it completely dry, and then proceed with the recipe as directed. This small step makes a significant difference in the final texture of your dish.
This Easy Sesame Chicken is not just a meal; it’s an experience that brings the joy of restaurant-quality food right to your dining table. The next time a craving for Chinese food strikes, skip the convenience of takeout and treat yourself and your family to Casey’s favorite homemade version! I genuinely hope you give this recipe a try. Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below – I love hearing how it turns out for you. If any questions pop up during your cooking adventure, don’t hesitate to ask. Enjoy every sweet, tangy, and savory bite!
Expert Cook’s Notes for the Best Sesame Chicken
- Sesame Seeds: Feel free to experiment with your sesame seeds! While toasted sesame seeds offer a richer, nuttier flavor, regular sesame seeds work perfectly fine. A blend of black sesame seeds and white toasted sesame seeds can also add a beautiful visual contrast and a slightly different flavor dimension.
- Chicken Choice: As mentioned, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are my preferred choice for their inherent juiciness and flavor. However, if you opt for chicken breasts, ensure they are cut into uniform chunks. This helps them cook evenly.
- The Art of Brining Chicken Breast: For incredibly moist and tender chicken breasts, brining is a game-changer. Simply fill a bowl with 6 cups of cold water and dissolve 3 tablespoons of kosher salt. Submerge your chicken pieces in this brine for 30 minutes. This process helps the chicken retain moisture during cooking, preventing it from becoming dry. Once brined, drain the chicken thoroughly, rinse it under cold water to wash away excess salt, and then pat it completely dry with paper towels before proceeding with the recipe. A dry surface ensures better browning and a crispier exterior.
- Browning in Batches: When cooking the chicken, avoid overcrowding the skillet. Cooking in batches ensures each piece gets proper contact with the hot pan, leading to a beautiful golden-brown crust rather than steaming. This step is crucial for developing deep flavor and appealing texture.
More Delicious Make-at-Home Takeout Dishes to Enjoy
If you loved creating this homemade sesame chicken, you’re in for a treat! We have a fantastic collection of other takeout-inspired recipes that are just as easy and satisfying to make in your own kitchen. Elevate your home dining experience with these irresistible dishes:
Quick & Easy Sesame Noodles
Classic Sweet and Sour Chicken
Easy Sesame Chicken
Print Recipe
SaveSaved!
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups quick cooking white or brown rice
- 6 oz. snow peas or sugar snap peas
- 2 large carrots, sliced 1/4 inch thick on the diagonal
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken thighs, rinsed, patted dry, and cut into 1 to 1 1/2 inch pieces
- 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. Sriracha sauce
- 1 1/2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp. ginger finely minced
- 1 garlic clove finely minced
- 2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds divided
Instructions
- Prepare the Rice: Cook your chosen rice (white or brown) according to the package directions. Once cooked, set it aside, keeping it warm.
- Steam the Vegetables: Place a steamer basket into a medium pot with approximately 1 inch of water. Cover the pot and bring the water to a rolling boil. Uncover, add the snow peas and sliced carrots to the steamer, and steam until they are crisp-tender, usually about 5 minutes. Drain the steamed vegetables and set them aside.
- Coat the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl and toss thoroughly until each piece is evenly coated. This cornstarch coating will help create a wonderfully crispy exterior when fried.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat until shimmering. Carefully add the coated chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook, turning the chicken occasionally, until it is cooked through, golden brown, and slightly crispy on all sides, about 5-6 minutes per batch. Add additional oil if necessary for subsequent batches. Once cooked, transfer the browned chicken to a clean plate and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce and Finish the Dish: In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, rice wine vinegar, Sriracha sauce, toasted sesame oil, finely minced ginger, finely minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of the toasted sesame seeds. Pour this prepared sauce into the hot skillet (no need to clean it) and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until it begins to slightly thicken. Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the sauce and toss to ensure all the chicken is thoroughly coated. Continue to cook for approximately 3 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced and thickened to a beautiful, glossy glaze. Finally, stir in the steamed snow peas and carrots until they are heated through. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Serve: Plate the delicious sesame chicken alongside your cooked rice. Garnish generously with the remaining 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds before serving. Enjoy your homemade takeout feast!
Notes
I love to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe, but you could also use chicken breasts if you prefer white meat. If you use white meat, I would cut it into chunks and brine it first so it stays moist and juicy.
To brine your chicken, fill a bowl with 6 cups cold water and 3 tablespoons kosher salt. Add chicken pieces. Mix well. Let chicken sit in brine for 30 minutes. Drain the chicken pieces, rinse and then pat dry and then proceed with recipe.
Nutrition