Chinese Takeout Sesame Chicken Made at Home
Crispy chicken tossed in a sticky-sweet sesame glaze with garlic, ginger, and toasted sesame oil — better than takeout and made in under 30 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ lbs chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1” pieces
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 egg white (optional)
- ½ cup cornstarch
- Salt & pepper
- 2–3 tbsp oil for frying
Sauce:
- ⅓ cup soy sauce (low sodium)
- ¼ cup honey or brown sugar
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Optional: chili flakes, scallions
Instructions
- Marinate chicken with soy sauce, vinegar, and egg white (if using). Coat with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Fry chicken in batches until crispy and golden. Drain on paper towels.
- In a pan, sauté garlic and ginger in oil. Add sauce ingredients and simmer until thickened.
- Add chicken to sauce and toss to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Serve over rice with green onions or veggies.
Notes
- Air-fry for a lighter option.
- Use tamari for gluten-free.
- Add broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers for a veggie boost.