These Easy Sesame Chicken bites are bursting with flavor and can be made in under 30 minutes, giving you a quick, delicious dinner that the whole family will love. With tender chicken coated in a sweet and savory sauce, this recipe transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into something extra special.
Picture this: it’s a busy weeknight, and you’re juggling kids, chores, and maybe even a little bit of homework. You want to whip up something that everyone will enjoy but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. That’s where my Easy Sesame Chicken comes in. This recipe is not only quick to prepare but also comforting and packed with flavors that remind you of your favorite takeout without the hassle!
Easy Sesame Chicken Bites
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free (if using tamari)
Description
Quick and flavorful sesame chicken bites that can be made in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into small pieces
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1 pinch each salt and pepper
- 4 cups cooked jasmine rice
- 2 whole green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce by stirring together soy sauce, water, sesame oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, cornstarch, and sesame seeds in a small bowl.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Trim excess fat from the chicken and cut it into small pieces. Toss the chicken in the egg and cornstarch mixture until well coated.
- Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium flame, then add the coated chicken in a single layer.
- Cook undisturbed until golden brown, then flip and continue cooking until golden brown on all sides.
- Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and toss to coat. Simmer until the sauce thickens, then turn off the heat.
- Serve the chicken over jasmine rice and top with sliced green onions.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a splash of orange juice to the sauce. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
The Joy of Cooking Easy Sesame Chicken
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup soy sauce ($0.20)
- 2 Tbsp water ($0.00)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil ($0.32)
- 3 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.30)
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar ($0.14)
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger ($0.10)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ($0.08)
- ½ Tbsp cornstarch ($0.03)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds ($0.10)
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil ($0.08)
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs ($3.48)
- 1 large egg ($0.67)
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch ($0.06)
- 1 pinch each salt and pepper ($0.05)
- 4 cups cooked jasmine rice ($0.97)
- 2 whole green onions ($0.20)
Making Your Easy Sesame Chicken
- First, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, water, sesame oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, minced garlic, cornstarch, and sesame seeds. (Grate the ginger using a small-holed cheese grater.) Set this yummy sauce aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and cut them into small one-inch pieces. Toss the chicken in the egg and cornstarch mixture until well coated.
- Heat cooking oil in a large skillet over medium flame. Let it get nice and hot, then swirl the skillet to coat the surface. Carefully add the batter-coated chicken, spreading it out into a single layer.
- Allow the chicken to cook undisturbed until golden brown on the bottom. Then, flip the pieces carefully, breaking them up a bit as you go. Continue cooking until golden brown on all sides.
- Once cooked through, pour the prepared sauce over the chicken. Toss to coat it all in that delicious sauce. As it simmers, the sauce will thicken, so stir gently until it’s just right. Then turn off the heat.
- Serve your Easy Sesame Chicken over a bed of warm jasmine rice and top it off with the sliced green onions for a pop of color!
Serving Suggestions for Easy Sesame Chicken
This dish is perfect on its own over rice, but feel free to serve it with steamed vegetables on the side for a healthier twist. A sprinkle of extra sesame seeds elevates the dish even more!
Storing Your Leftover Sesame Chicken
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Simply reheat in a pan or the microwave when you’re ready for round two!
Tips for Perfect Easy Sesame Chicken
- Make sure your skillet is hot enough before adding the chicken. It ensures a beautiful sear.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan! Cooking in batches keeps everything nice and crispy.
- For extra flavor, try adding a splash of orange juice or zest to the sauce.
Delicious Variations
If you’re looking for a twist on this classic recipe, feel free to substitute shrimp for the chicken, or add some steamed broccoli or snap peas directly into the skillet during the last few minutes of cooking.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breast will work just as well, though you might need to adjust the cooking time since breast meat tends to cook faster.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
To make this dish gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
Can I make it ahead of time?
You can prepare the sauce and marinate the chicken in advance and keep both in the fridge. Cook it up when you’re ready for an easy meal.
There you have it! Cook up this Easy Sesame Chicken for a flavor-packed family meal that’s sure to become a new favorite. Happy cooking!
