Sesame Chicken – Skinny Taste

This light sesame chicken recipe features chicken breasts tossed in a sweet, salty, sour, and slightly spicy sauce, topped with sesame seeds and green onions.

Sesame Chicken

Sesame chicken is known for its deep-fried chicken and sweet and savory flavor, and is popular in Chinese-American cuisine. Because of the sauce and the fried chicken, it is usually high in sugar, calories, and carbs. I use lighter chicken breasts, sugar-free substitutes, and just enough oil to make it crispy. Then I coat the chicken with a glossy, sticky sauce and sprinkle it with toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced ​​green onions. This recipe calls for rice, but you can also substitute brown rice fried rice or cauliflower fried rice for a more Chinese takeout-style meal. Tommy loves sesame chicken, so he gave my healthier version a two-thumbs up! Some healthier Chinese recipes to try include Gong Bao Tofu, Broccoli Beef, and Shrimp Egg Rolls.

What is Sesame Chicken?

Sesame Chicken is a Chinese-American dish, similar to General Cho Chicken or Orange Chicken, that focuses on balancing sweet and savory flavors with a hint of sourness. The sweetness of the sauce is often balanced with a hint of acidity and saltiness, making it very addictive.

Why You'll Love This Sesame Chicken Recipe

This dish is popular on Chinese takeout menus in the US, but it can be easily made at home. The key to great sesame chicken is to get the chicken to have the perfect crispy texture and the sauce to have the right amount of sweetness and thickness. I think I’ve achieved that here, and since Tommy orders it quite often, his seal of approval makes me confident that you’ll like it too.

• Crispy Chicken: I usually prefer dark meat, but these bite-sized pieces of crispy meat were tender on the inside and covered in the best sauce I've ever had.
• Healthier than takeout: My recipe is lighter than the original recipe because it doesn't contain any added sugar.
• Dietary restrictions: It's high in protein, dairy-free, gluten-free (if made with tamari), and Weight Watchers-friendly.

If you make this sesame chicken recipe, I'd love to see it! Tag me in a photo or video on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook!

Sesame Chicken Ingredients

This simple sesame chicken recipe has two parts: the chicken and the sauce. First, let’s talk about the ingredients you’ll need for the chicken. Recipe cards include exact measurements..

• chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts to cut down on calories. You can use skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.
• seasoning: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and ginger powder.
• Arrowroot or cornstarch Coat the chicken in a thick coating and fry it in a pan until it becomes crispy.
• oil: I cook meats with avocado and toasted sesame oil. Avocado oil has a high smoke point and sesame oil adds a nice toasty flavor.
• Red pepper flakes For a little spice
• garlic It enhances the taste and adds amazing aroma to dishes.
• White rice: Place the sesame chicken on top of rice and soak up the sauce.
• green onion For color

And here are all the ingredients Sesame Chicken Sauce.

• Low-salt soy sauce This is the base for the sauce. Gluten-free tamari is also fine.
• sweetener: I used monk fruit, which is a low-calorie, low-carb sweetener, but other types, like coconut sugar or honey, will work too.
• Tomato paste Some recipes call for ketchup, but adding tomato paste gives the sauce a more complex flavor.
• Seasoned Vinegar It has a stronger flavor and sweeter taste than regular vinegar, but if you only have regular rice vinegar, you can use it as a substitute.
• Roasted sesame oil and sesame seeds Provides a nutty flavor.
• ginger: For a stronger, better flavor, use fresh ginger.
• Slurry: To thicken the sauce, mix arrowroot or cornstarch with water to create a thick sauce.

How to Make Sesame Chicken

Season and cook the chicken, then make the sauce and combine it all to create the ultimate sesame chicken that will satisfy your takeout cravings. Please see the recipe card below for detailed instructions.

1. Seasoning the chicken: Place the cubed chicken on a cutting board and drizzle with sesame oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, ginger, and cornflour.
2. Cooking the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and once hot, add the avocado oil. Spread half the chicken evenly and cook until golden brown, turning halfway through. Don’t overcrowd the pan or the chicken will turn out crispier.
3. Sesame Chicken Sauce: In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sugar, tomato paste, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and ginger. In another bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water to form a slurry.
4. Add sesame oil, red pepper powder, and garlic. Add to pan and cook for 30 seconds. Pour half of the sauce and cook for 1 minute.
5. Chicken and Slurry: Return the chicken to the pan, pour in the remaining sauce and slowly drizzle in the slurry. Cook for 2 more minutes.

strain

• chicken: Substitute boneless, skinless thigh meat.
• Keep it light And omit the red pepper powder.
• Gluten Free: Use tamari sauce instead of soy sauce.
• No soy sauce added: Use coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
• vinegar: Replace the seasoned rice vinegar with regular vinegar.

Offering suggestions

Sesame chicken is usually served with steamed rice or noodles, allowing the sauce to soak into the grain or noodles. For variety, serve it with brown rice fried rice, cauliflower fried rice, or steamed or stir-fried vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, sweet peas, or bell peppers.

save

Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost the container in the refrigerator the day before eating and heat in the microwave until warm.

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