Homemade Sesame Chicken: Quick, Savory, and Satisfying

sesame chicken

Imagine making your favorite Chinese takeout at home. It would taste better, cost less, and be healthier. This sweet-and-savory dish is now easy to make at home, without the greasy feel.

Chinese-American food is all about contrasts. Sticky sauces meet tender meat, and nutty smells mix with garlic. Our recipe combines Budget Bytes’ cost-saving tips with Skinnytaste’s healthier options. You’ll need just 30 minutes and simple ingredients like soy sauce, honey, and toasted sesame seeds.

Forget soggy takeout boxes. Our recipe focuses on oven-baked crispiness that’s as good as wok-fried. A cornstarch coating gives that golden crunch, and a reduced sauce packs in flavor without extra oil. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and can be made healthier by swapping sugar for honey or using tofu instead of chicken.

Key Takeaways

Why Make Sesame Chicken at Home?

Do you love the sweet and crunchy taste of sesame chicken but hate the high cost and unknown ingredients? Cooking it at home offers many benefits. You can save money, eat healthier, and enjoy more flavor options.

Cost-Effective Alternative to Takeout

Ordering sesame chicken at a restaurant can cost around $18. But making it at home can be as low as $4.84 per serving, as shown by Budget Bytes. This means you can feed a family of four for less than the cost of one takeout meal. Here’s a comparison:

Takeout Homemade
Total Cost $18 $4.84
Portions 1-2 4
Customization Limited Unlimited

Control Over Ingredients and Health

Restaurant sesame chicken can have over 1,200+ mg of sodium per serving. Cooking at home lets you:

  • Use Skinnytaste’s monk fruit sweetener to cut calories to 513 per plate
  • Choose gluten-free tamari instead of regular soy sauce
  • Reduce oil by 25% with air-frying

Mary Farrow, a home cook from Ohio, says:

“Um, wow – my low carb sesame chicken tasted better than Panda Express!”

Customizable Flavors to Suit Your Taste

Make your sesame chicken unique with these ideas:

  1. Replace sugar with Budget Bytes’ honey hack (1:1 ratio)
  2. Add chili crisp for a Sichuan twist
  3. Try coconut aminos for a soy-free version

Whether you need gluten-free sesame chicken or want to add more protein, your kitchen is your playground. A Reddit user shared: “My spicy pineapple version got more likes than the original!”

Essential Ingredients for Authentic Sesame Chicken

Cohesiverecipes - A still life arrangement of authentic sesame chicken ingredients, bathed in warm, golden lighting. In the foreground, a pile of crisp, sesame-encrusted chicken thighs, their succulent meat glistening. Surrounding them, a collection of essential components: fragrant garlic cloves, sliced scallions, a bowl of toasted sesame seeds, and a small saucer of rich, dark soy sauce. In the middle ground, a wooden cutting board provides a rustic backdrop, while in the background, a blurred array of Asian spices and condiments hint at the complex flavors to come. The composition is balanced, the lighting natural and inviting, capturing the authenticity and allure of homemade sesame chicken.

Great sesame chicken needs quality protein, a balanced sauce, and careful presentation. Let’s explore each part to achieve that restaurant taste at home.

Chicken Components

Boneless chicken thighs are juicier than breasts but both are good. For crispy sesame chicken, follow these steps:

  • Cut meat into 1.5″ cubes for even cooking
  • Use cornstarch (or Budget Bytes’ arrowroot alternative) for golden crispness
  • Add 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil to marinade for depth

Pro tip: Pat chicken dry before coating – moisture is the enemy of crunch!

Sauce Components

This glaze makes sesame chicken unforgettable. Key players include:

  • Soy sauce (low-sodium for better control)
  • Rice vinegar for tang
  • Brown sugar or honey for caramel notes
  • Toasted sesame oil – don’t substitute regular!

Skinnytaste’s tomato paste hack adds rich umami without ketchup’s sweetness. The cornstarch slurry thickens sauce perfectly when heated to 180°F – stir constantly to avoid lumps.

Garnishes and Finishing Touches

Elevate your dish with these final flourishes:

  • Toasted sesame seeds (2 minutes in dry pan)
  • Green onion gradients – white parts cooked, green raw
  • Thin chili slices for heat seekers

For restaurant-style plating, serve over steamed broccoli and drizzle extra sauce in zigzag patterns. The contrast between crispy chicken and vibrant garnishes makes every bite Instagram-worthy.

Required Kitchen Tools

A cohesive arrangement of kitchen tools for preparing the best sesame chicken recipe. In the foreground, a cutting board, chef's knife, and tongs arranged neatly. In the middle ground, a saucepan, a mixing bowl, and a whisk, all in shades of stainless steel. In the background, a cohesiverecipes-branded apron hangs on a hook, complemented by a natural wood-grain backdrop, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Soft, directional lighting casts subtle shadows, emphasizing the textures and materials of the tools. The overall scene conveys a sense of culinary expertise and the confidence to craft a delicious homemade sesame chicken dish.

To make that crispy, saucy sesame chicken like your favorite takeout, you need the right tools. You don’t need fancy gadgets. Just a few multi-purpose tools that help with flavor and texture and make cleanup easy.

Essential Cookware

A 12-inch cast iron skillet is key for a great sear. Mary Farrow from Budget Bytes says it gives even heat for golden chicken. If you don’t have one, a regular frying pan will do, but keep in mind:

Cast Iron Skillet Non-Stick Pan
Heat Retention Excellent Good
Searing Power Superior crust Lighter browning

For oven-baked versions, use a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking. Tests show metal sheets crisp chicken better than glass pans.

Helpful Utensils

  • Microplane grater: Creates feather-light ginger shreds that melt into sauces
  • Silicone-tipped tongs: Flip chicken without scratching pans
  • Instant-read thermometer: Ensures 165°F doneness

Pro tip: Freeze fresh ginger and grate it frozen – no more stringy bits! For oil management, use a slotted spoon to drain fried chicken pieces, as recommended by Cook’s Illustrated.

Preparing the Chicken: Marinade Secrets

A close-up of a cohesiverecipes branded glass bowl filled with a rich, glistening sesame chicken marinade. The marinade is a vibrant, golden-brown hue, with specks of sesame seeds and minced garlic suspended in the savory sauce. The foreground is sharply in focus, revealing the thick, syrupy texture and glossy sheen of the marinade. The middle ground is softly blurred, creating a sense of depth and emphasizing the bowl's contents. The background is a neutral, slightly muted tone, allowing the marinade to be the central focus of the image. Warm, natural lighting casts a gentle glow on the scene, enhancing the appetizing appearance of the cohesiverecipes sesame chicken marinade.

Mastering the marinade is key to making restaurant-style sesame chicken at home. It turns regular chicken into tender, flavorful bites. These bites soak up the savory sauce perfectly. Let’s explore the science and art behind this important step.

Marinade Ingredients Breakdown

The magic begins with Budget Bytes’ velveting technique. It combines egg white, cornstarch, and soy sauce. Each part plays a crucial role:

  • Egg white: Tenderizes meat by breaking down proteins
  • Cornstarch/arrowroot: Creates a crispy exterior while sealing in moisture
  • Soy sauce: Adds umami depth and regulates pH for better absorption

“Velveting works because the alkaline marinade slightly denatures proteins, resulting in that signature Chinese takeout texture.”

For gluten-free alternatives, arrowroot starch outperforms cornstarch in high-heat cooking. Here’s a comparison:

Ingredient Crispiness Sauce Adhesion
Cornstarch Medium Excellent
Arrowroot High Good

Flavor Balance Issues

Even great marinades can have problems. Here’s how to fix common issues:

  • Too salty: Add 1 tsp honey to counteract sodium
  • Bland sauce: Boost with freshly grated ginger (never powdered!)
  • Gummy texture: Reduce cornstarch by 25% and marinate 15 minutes max

Skinnytaste’s 35-minute total time works beautifully if you prep ingredients while marinating. Always pat chicken dry before frying. This prevents oil splatter and ensures maximum crispiness for your sesame chicken stir-fry.

Conclusion

Making the best sesame chicken at home lets you control the taste, cost, and healthiness. Forget looking for “sesame chicken near me.” Homemade food gives you crispy texture and a rich sesame sauce, without the salt of takeout. Budget Bytes shows how to save money by avoiding delivery fees and doubling recipes for busy days.

Adding veggies like bell peppers or snap peas makes your meal even better, as Skinnytaste recommends. You can also freeze extra sauce for quick stir-fries later. Mary Farrow’s tip to make a double batch means you always have delicious sesame chicken ready, faster than ordering from a restaurant.

Homemade sesame chicken has 530 calories per serving, compared to takeout’s 945mg sodium. Your kitchen can make food as good as restaurants, with fresher ingredients and flavors you choose. Share your homemade sesame chicken on social media with #HomemadeSesameMagic to encourage others to try making it too.

FAQ

How much cheaper is homemade sesame chicken compared to takeout?

Homemade sesame chicken costs about per serving, thanks to Budget Bytes’ recipe. This is much cheaper than the takeout price. You save on delivery fees and control ingredients like sodium and sweeteners.

Can I make sesame chicken healthier than restaurant versions?

Absolutely! Skinnytaste suggests using monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar. You can also reduce sodium by adjusting soy sauce. Try swapping ketchup for tomato paste or use Budget Bytes’ honey substitution tip for a cleaner taste.

What’s the best cut of chicken for sesame chicken?

Budget Bytes’ recipe uses chicken thighs for juiciness. But chicken breasts are leaner. The velveting process (marinating with egg and cornstarch) keeps meat tender, whether you choose dark or white meat.

Why is toasted sesame oil non-negotiable in this recipe?

Toasted sesame oil gives a deep, nutty flavor that regular oils can’t match. It’s essential for the dish’s aroma. Budget Bytes says to use it in the sauce, not just as a garnish, for authentic taste.

How do I prevent the sauce from becoming too thick?

If the sauce thickens too much, add 1-2 tablespoons of water while stirring. Adjust the cornstarch slurry gradually to achieve a glossy, pourable sauce.

Can I use a wok instead of a skillet?

Yes! A 12” cast iron skillet or a wok works well. Skillets offer even browning, while woks are great for high-heat stir-frying. A slotted spoon helps control oil splatter in either tool.

How do I store fresh ginger for multiple uses?

Budget Bytes recommends freezing peeled ginger and grating it with a microplane as needed. This keeps it fresh for months and reduces waste, perfect for adding zing to marinades or sauces.

My sesame chicken tastes bland. What did I miss?

Fresh ginger is key for flavor. Also, toast your sesame seeds and use green onion gradients. Cook the white parts in the sauce and use the green parts as garnish. Skinnytaste’s spice variations can add heat if you want.

Can I meal-prep sesame chicken for leftovers?

A> Double the sauce to keep leftovers moist. Store in airtight containers for 3-4 days. Mary Farrow recommends reheating in a skillet or air fryer to keep it crispy.

How does homemade sesame chicken nutrition compare to takeout?

Homemade versions have about 530kcal and 945mg sodium per serving. Takeout often has over 1,200kcal and 2,300mg+ sodium. You control portions, oil, and additives. Plus, Skinnytaste’s veggie add-ins boost fiber without losing flavor.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top