Easy Homemade Sesame Chicken: Crispy, Sweet & Savory Takeout in 20 Minutes!
Dreaming of your favorite Chinese takeout but want to enjoy it in the comfort of your own home? This incredible easy sesame chicken recipe allows you to recreate that beloved sweet and savory dish with perfectly crispy chicken pieces, all ready in about 20 minutes! Forget the delivery fee and long waits – your new go-to weeknight meal is here.
This post is sponsored by CHEF’S CRAFT®, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
When it comes to dinner, few things beat the convenience and flavor of Asian recipes. They are a staple in my household, universally loved by my family, and the ultimate win is when I can whip up a delicious meal in just 20 minutes. That’s where this homemade sesame chicken truly shines. It’s the perfect solution for busy evenings when you’re craving something satisfying and flavorful.
For many, Chinese takeout is a simple fallback, effortlessly removing the guesswork from meal planning. What if I told you that making sesame chicken at home could be just as easy, if not easier and tastier? This recipe leverages a fantastic shortcut – pre-breaded, fully-cooked chicken – allowing you to prepare the vibrant, rich sauce in about 5 minutes. The result is a dish that’s faster, tastes fresher, and offers all the comfort of your favorite restaurant meal right on your dining table.
What Exactly Is Sesame Chicken?
Sesame chicken is a universally recognized dish found on nearly every Chinese takeout menu and in most Chinese restaurants across the United States. While it has roots in traditional Chinese cuisine, it’s largely considered an Americanized dish. Its inspiration comes from various Chinese preparations featuring crispy chicken pieces coated in a flavorful, often sweet and savory, sauce.
In the United States, the distinct characteristic of sesame chicken is its thick, glossy, and undeniably delicious sauce. This sauce often leans towards the sweeter side, owing to ingredients like brown sugar or honey, balanced with savory soy sauce, tangy rice vinegar, and aromatic sesame oil. The sauce beautifully coats tender, breaded chicken pieces, creating a delightful contrast of textures. It’s almost always served over a bed of fluffy white rice, making it a complete and incredibly satisfying meal that appeals to a wide range of palates.
The Secret to Speed and Quality: CHEF’S CRAFT® Gourmet Chicken
One of the biggest game-changers for making this sesame chicken recipe incredibly fast and foolproof is using high-quality pre-cooked chicken. I recently stumbled upon CHEF’S CRAFT® gourmet chicken in the freezer aisle at my local Walmart, and it has genuinely become a pantry essential. You can easily locate a store near you using the Store Locator on their website; it’s also available at Food Lion and Meijer grocery stores.
To be perfectly honest, I’ve always been quite particular about pre-cooked chicken, often hesitant due to concerns about texture and flavor. However, the CHEF’S CRAFT Flame Grilled Chicken Breast Filets and Chunks have completely won me over. I now consistently keep them in my freezer for various meals – whether it’s topping fresh salads, stuffing into quick chicken wraps, or adding a protein boost to pasta dishes. The chicken is consistently tender, juicy, and boasts the ideal texture that often lacks in other frozen options. For me, when it comes to pre-cooked frozen chicken, texture is everything, and CHEF’S CRAFT truly delivers on that front.
For this particular crispy sesame chicken dish, I opted for CHEF’S CRAFT Gluten-Free Breaded Chicken Breast Chunks. They are incredibly convenient, cooking to crispy perfection in under 15 minutes, whether you use an air fryer, microwave, or a conventional oven. My family devoured this meal and had no idea they were enjoying a gluten-free option – a testament to their fantastic taste and texture. This makes the recipe not only quick and delicious but also adaptable for those with dietary preferences.
What Is Sesame Chicken Sauce Made Of?
The magic of sesame chicken lies in its vibrant, sweet, and savory sauce, which is surprisingly easy to prepare. You simply mix all the ingredients together and then heat them gently until the cornstarch works its magic, thickening the sauce to a perfect consistency. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building that signature flavor profile:
- Soy Sauce: Provides the fundamental savory, umami base.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds a crucial tangy counterpoint to the sweetness.
- Sesame Oil: Delivers that distinct nutty, aromatic essence, which is key to the “sesame” in sesame chicken.
- Cornstarch: Acts as the thickening agent, giving the sauce its desirable glossy, rich texture.
- Brown Sugar: The primary sweetener, contributing a deep, caramelized sweetness that makes the sauce so irresistible.
- Black Pepper: Offers a subtle warmth and balances the other intense flavors.
- Garlic Chili Flakes: Adds a hint of aromatic garlic and a touch of heat, which can be adjusted to your preference.
- Water: Helps to thin the sauce to the right consistency before thickening and ensures all flavors meld beautifully.
How To Make Easy Sesame Chicken: Step-by-Step
This recipe truly minimizes cooking time without sacrificing flavor, making it perfect for even the busiest weeknights. Here’s how to get your homemade sesame chicken on the table in about 20 minutes:
- Prepare the Chicken: Begin by cooking your CHEF’S CRAFT breaded chicken breast chunks. Follow the package directions for your preferred cooking method – whether it’s the oven, microwave, or air fryer. The goal is to get them wonderfully hot and crispy, which usually takes less than 15 minutes. This step is crucial for that satisfying textural contrast.
- Whisk the Sauce: While the chicken cooks, prepare your sauce. In a liquid measuring cup or a small bowl, combine all the sauce ingredients: soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, cornstarch, brown sugar, black pepper, garlic chili flakes, and water. Whisk everything thoroughly until the brown sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Thicken the Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat slightly and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes. Keep stirring occasionally until the sauce visibly thickens to a glossy, pourable consistency. The cornstarch will ensure it coats the chicken beautifully.
- Combine & Coat: Once the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked and crispy, add the cooked chicken pieces directly into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently but thoroughly, ensuring every piece of chicken is evenly coated in the rich, sticky sauce.
- Garnish & Serve: Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle generously with sesame seeds – they add both visual appeal and a lovely nutty crunch. Serve your delicious homemade sesame chicken immediately over hot white rice, or with your favorite side dishes.
Thanks to the convenient shortcut of using CHEF’S CRAFT breaded chicken breast chunks, this sesame chicken recipe truly could not be easier. For those looking for an even healthier option, you could easily substitute with CHEF’S CRAFT grilled chicken breast chunks, maintaining all the flavor with less breading.
Seriously, trust me when I say you need to keep your freezer well-stocked with CHEF’S CRAFT Chicken. It’s incredibly versatile and proves to be an absolute lifesaver on those hectic busy nights. As someone notoriously picky about chicken, this brand has genuinely earned its permanent spot in my kitchen. You’ll thank yourself for having such a reliable and delicious protein source on hand!
Serving Suggestions & Recipe Variations
While sesame chicken is traditionally served with white rice, don’t limit yourself! You can elevate your meal with various accompaniments and simple variations:
- Vegetables: Alongside or mixed in, steamed broccoli florets, stir-fried bell peppers, snap peas, or carrots add color, nutrients, and crunch.
- Noodles: Serve over lo mein noodles or rice vermicelli for a different texture.
- Spice It Up: For those who love a bit more heat, increase the amount of red chili flakes in the sauce, or add a dash of sriracha or a few drops of hot chili oil when serving.
- Citrus Zest: A tiny bit of orange zest added to the sauce can brighten the flavors and add a subtle fragrant note.
- Ginger: For an extra layer of aromatic flavor, mince half a teaspoon of fresh ginger and add it to the sauce mixture.
- Garnish: Beyond sesame seeds, chopped green onions provide a fresh, sharp counterpoint to the rich sauce.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Have leftovers? Lucky you! Homemade sesame chicken stores and reheats wonderfully. Simply transfer any remaining chicken and sauce into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, the best method is usually in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. This helps the sauce loosen up again. If you prefer to use the microwave, heat in short bursts, stirring in between, to ensure even heating without drying out the chicken. For crispier chicken, you can reheat in an air fryer or oven after warming the sauce separately.
More Quick & Delicious Asian Dinner Recipes
If you loved this easy sesame chicken, you’ll definitely want to try these other fantastic Asian-inspired dishes that are perfect for weeknights:
- Air Fryer Egg Rolls: Crispy, flavorful, and so much healthier!
- Egg Drop Soup: A comforting and simple classic.
- General Tso’s Chicken: Another takeout favorite, perfectly replicated at home.
- Easy Cashew Chicken: A flavorful and nutty stir-fry.
- Pork Lo Mein: Delicious noodles for a complete meal.
- Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken: Effortless and packed with flavor.
Easy Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound breaded chicken pieces
- 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 cups cooked white rice
Sauce
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/4 soy sauce
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes
Instructions
- Cook CHEF’S CRAFT breaded chicken breast chunks according to the package directions.
- In a liquid measuring cup, mix together all of the ingredients for the sauce, whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
- Pour sauce into a large skillet over medium high heat. Bring to a boil and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken.
- Toss cooked chicken with the sauce until evenly coated.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Serve over white rice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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