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Crispy Sesame Chicken Recipe with Sticky Glaze

crispy sesame chicken - featured image

This homemade crispy sesame chicken features tender, crunchy chicken bites tossed in a sticky, sweet-and-savory glaze. It’s a crowd-pleasing comfort food that rivals your favorite Chinese takeout, perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Salt and black pepper, to season
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for slurry, mixed with 1 tablespoon water)
  • 12 tablespoons sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Green onions, sliced (optional, for topping)
  • Red pepper flakes (optional, to taste)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cornstarch and flour. In a separate bowl, beat eggs until frothy.
  3. Dip each chicken piece first in the egg, then dredge thoroughly in the cornstarch-flour mixture. Shake off excess. For extra crunch, double-dip by repeating the egg and flour coating.
  4. Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet or wok to about 1 inch deep. Heat over medium-high until shimmering (350°F).
  5. Working in batches, fry chicken pieces for 3-4 minutes per side, or until deeply golden and cooked through. Do not overcrowd the pan.
  6. Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack or paper-towel lined plate. Keep warm in a low oven (200°F) if needed.
  7. In a small saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often.
  8. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Stir into the glaze and cook 2-3 minutes until thick and glossy. Add a splash more water if glaze is too thick.
  9. Add hot, crispy chicken to a large clean bowl. Pour sticky glaze over the top and toss gently to coat.
  10. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve hot, ideally with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

For gluten-free, use a 1:1 GF flour blend and tamari. Double-dip chicken for extra crunch. Toss chicken in glaze just before serving to keep it crispy. You can bake instead of fry for a lighter version. For vegetarian, substitute firm tofu. Store leftovers unglazed for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: sesame chicken, crispy chicken, sticky glaze, Chinese takeout, homemade dinner, easy chicken recipe, family meal, comfort food