Sesame Chicken

This easy Sesame Chicken recipe combines crispy pieces of battered, fried chicken, with an easy eight-ingredient sauce, that has both sweet, and tangy flavors, with just a hint of spice! Sesame chicken is tender pieces of chicken dipped in eggs and cornstarch and fried crispy, then tossed in a sweet and zesty sauce. Indulge in this mouthwatering homemade sesame chicken, which is easy to make and bursting with flavor. Your taste buds will thank you.

Ingredients:
Chicken:
1 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, or thighs, cut into bite size pieces
2 eggs
½ cup cornstarch
¼ t salt
½ t fresh ground black pepper
vegetable or canola oil for frying

Sauce:
2 T sesame seeds
½ T olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
⅓ cup soy sauce
1 T rice vinegar
2 t sesame oil
¼ cup honey
2 T brown sugar
¼ cup ketchup
1 T chili sauce (sambal oelek)
2 T cornstarch
¼ cup cold water
2 green onions, sliced thin

Rice or Chinese noodles for serving

Instructions:
With a whisk, beat the eggs, cornstarch, salt, and pepper together. Add the chicken and stir to combine. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat, in a heavy pot, or Dutch Oven. Once the oil reaches 350 degrees, fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and crispy. Move to paper to towels to drain. Meanwhile, in a large, dry frying pan, over medium high heat, add the sesame seeds and cook until lightly toasted, shaking the skillet several times. Remove the sesame seeds into a small bowl. In the same skillet, heat a little olive oil over low heat. Add the garlic, and cook for 1 minute, while stirring constantly. Add the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, brown sugar, ketchup, and chili sauce. Mix the cornstarch, with the water, and whisk into the sauce mixture, and cook until thickened. Add the cooked chicken to the skillet. Stir to combine with the sauce, and garnish with the green onions, and toasted sesame seeds. Serve promptly over rice, or Chinese noodles.

Notes:
– Sambal oelek is a fresh ground chili paste found in the Asian food section of your local grocery store. It is pretty spicy, but when paired with other ingredients like soy sauce, honey, and brown sugar, it tames it, and the overall taste is very flavorful and satisfying. Store in the refrigerator for up to two months or freeze in small containers for up to six months.
– To freeze, cool it completely, store it in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stove top over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power. Again, the chicken will not stay crispy, but it will still have fantastic flavor.
– It is great to serve this sesame chicken with brown, or white rice, or Chinese noodles, like ramen. Sometimes, you can include an appetizer, such as crab rangoons or Japanese dumplings.

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