Crispy Sweet Sesame Chicken (Print Version)
Golden chicken in a sticky sesame glaze, topped with scallions and seeds. Quick and super tasty.
# Ingredients:
→ Chicken
01 -
2 pounds of chicken thighs with no skin or bones, trimmed and cut into chunks about an inch big
02 -
A quarter cup of water
03 -
Half a teaspoon of Kosher salt
04 -
Half a teaspoon of baking soda
05 -
Two eggs, large
06 -
Half a cup of cornstarch
07 -
One tablespoon of a flavorless oil
08 -
A sprinkle of sesame seeds for topping
→ Sauce for Sesame Chicken
09 -
Half a cup of ketchup
10 -
Half a cup of water
11 -
Half a cup of white sugar
12 -
Two tablespoons of white vinegar
13 -
A tablespoon of cornstarch
14 -
One tablespoon of low-sodium soy sauce
15 -
Optional: Half a teaspoon of dark soy sauce for color
16 -
One stalk of green onion, thinly sliced (separate green tops and white stems)
17 -
Enough oil for cooking and frying
# Steps:
01 -
In a big bowl, mix the chicken chunks, water, salt, and baking soda. Stir until the chicken soaks it up. Toss in the eggs and mix again. Add the cornstarch and stir until there's no powdery bit left. Finally, add the oil and stir to coat everything.
02 -
In a high-sided pan or wok, pour about 2 to 3 inches of oil and heat it to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
03 -
In a bowl, combine ketchup, water, sugar, vinegar, cornstarch, and soy sauces (light and dark). Stir well and set aside for later.
04 -
Drop the prepared chicken pieces gently into the hot oil, one at a time. Work in batches if needed so the pan isn't too crowded. Fry for about 4 to 5 minutes, then take them out. Let them rest for 2 to 3 minutes. Heat the oil back to 375°F, and fry the chicken a second time for 5 to 6 minutes until it's crispy and golden. Let them drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
05 -
Over medium heat, add a dash of oil to a wok or big pan. Toss the white onion slices into the hot oil and cook for 10 or 15 seconds until fragrant. Pour the sauce mix in, turn the heat to medium-high, and keep stirring until it thickens and turns glossy.
06 -
Toss the crispy fried chicken into the hot sauce, making sure every piece gets nicely coated. Serve it right away over steamed rice or fried rice. Add sesame seeds and green onion tops for a final touch.
# Notes and Tips:
01 -
Chop chicken pieces to be roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
02 -
For more flavor, leave the chicken to marinate overnight.
03 -
To make it gluten-free, swap out soy sauce for a gluten-free version or skip it.