Sesame chicken is one of the greatest Chinese-American dishes out there- crispy deep-fried chicken in a sweet and sticky sauce. I remember eating it whenever my family ordered takeout. This recipe is inspired by the version at PF Chang's, which I think is one of the best.
Can't get enough of PF Chang's? Try my Beef And Broccoli next!
๐ฅก About This Recipe
When I was a kid I absolutely loved Chinese-American food (like sweet and sour pork, honey garlic ribs, and coconut shrimp). My parents never really cared much for it, but they knew how much I liked it so they always took me to places that served those types of food. When I got older, I went to Seattle a few times, and there I got to try PF Changโs for the first time!
I fell in love with their food, and now I go there at least once for every trip. One of my favorite dishes they have is the Sesame chicken. It's soo delicious, crispy, and sweet. I've iterated on this recipe a few times, and now I think it comes pretty close. Can't wait for you to try it!
๐ง Ingredients
- Chicken and marinade: For the chicken, you can either use chicken breasts or thighs. I'm using breasts because that's all I had but I recommend thighs for most cases. They're way juicier and more flavorful. For the marinade, you'll need one egg white, soy sauce, water, and white pepper.
- Breading: I'm using a combination of all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder. Most Chinese restaurants will add some cornstarch to the breading to make it crispier. It does make a big difference.
- Vegetables: We need freshly minced garlic, ginger, diced onions, red bell peppers, and broccoli florets.
- Seasonings: Soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, and some cornstarch to thicken the sauce. You will also need sesame seeds for garnishing.
- Oil for frying: A neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point is the best option here. Chinese chefs do not use olive oil.
๐ช Instructions
STEP 1: In a medium bowl, combine chicken breast, egg white, soy sauce, white pepper, and one tablespoon of water. Massage the meat with your hands and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
If I'm making the dish for friends or family, I usually let it marinate overnight as the flavor will be better and the meat will be juicier.
STEP 2: Blanch the broccoli in a pot of boiling water for 45 seconds until just tender. Then dunk them in a bowl of cold water to prevent them from cooking further.
STEP 3: Combine cornstarch, flour, and baking powder in a shallow dish. Dust ยฝ a cup of the mixture onto a large baking sheet. Coat each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
STEP 4: Heat about 1 inch of oil in a deep pan to 350ยฐF. Cook about 10-16 pieces of chicken until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Then transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to dry. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken.
STEP 5: Combine all the sesame sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
STEP 6: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, ginger, and onions and cook for 1 minute. Add the bell pepper and blanched broccoli and cook for another 2 minutes.
STEP 7: Add the sesame sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Add the crispy chicken to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, then serve!
The chicken will absorb the sauce so make sure you eat it quickly to take advantage of the crispy skin. The sauce is very flavorful so you'll want to warm up some rice to eat with it.
๐ Recipe
PF Chang's Sesame Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into 1 inch pieces)
- 1 large egg white
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- โ teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 tablespoon water
For Frying
- โ cup cornstarch
- โ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Sesame Sauce
- 5 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 ยฝ tablespoons rice vinegar
- ยผ cup water
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Stir-fry
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon ginger (minced)
- ยฝ small onion (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 small red bell pepper (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine chicken breast, egg white, soy sauce, white pepper, and one tablespoon of water. Massage the meat with your hands and let it marinate for 15 minutes.
- While the chicken is marinating, blanch the broccoli in a pot of boiling water for 45 seconds until just tender. Then dunk the broccoli in a bowl of cold water to prevent them from cooking further.
- Combine cornstarch, flour, and baking powder in a shallow dish. Dust ยฝ a cup of the mixture onto a large baking sheet. Coat each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Heat about 1 inch of oil in a deep pan to 350ยฐF. Cook about 10-16 pieces of chicken until golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to dry. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken.
- Combine all the sesame sauce ingredients in a small bowl.
- Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic, ginger, and onions and cook for 1 minute. Add the bell pepper and blanched broccoli and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add the sesame sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Add the crispy chicken to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, then serve.
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