This Easy Sesame Chicken recipe is so easy that you’ll be tempted to toss those take-out menus (seriously, I can’t remember the last time I ordered sesame chicken since I first posted this recipe nearly 12 years ago!!) The deliciously sweet and savory sauce takes only a few ingredients, all of which you can keep on hand indefinitely (I always keep my ginger in the freezer). You know, just in case you need some of this chicken, like, now. Oh, and this take-out fake-out recipe is one of my favorites in my weekly meal prep, too.
Sesame chicken is a beloved Chinese-American dish, featuring crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet and savory sesame-infused sauce With its craveworthy balance of flavors and textures, it’s easy to see why sesame chicken is so popular. However, the right side dishes can truly elevate this meal from simple takeout fare to a mouthwatering culinary experience.
When planning sides for sesame chicken, aim to complement the dish’s richness with brighter, lighter options. Vibrant, crunchy vegetables, refreshing salads, and classic noodle or rice accompaniments are all excellent choices. Read on for ideas to round out your sesame chicken dinner and take it to the next level.
The Starch: Soak Up the Sauce
It makes sense to serve sesame chicken over rice or noodles. The starch soaks up the delicious sauce and gives the meal satisfying bulk.
If you want the sesame chicken flavors to stand out, white rice is the best choice. For fluffy separate grains, jasmine or basmati rice works best. Brown rice tastes nuttier and has a chewier texture. It also has more nutrients than white rice.
For a fun change, fried rice with carrots, peas, and scallions added to it is a great choice. The scrambled egg adds extra protein too. If you have a craving for noodles, lo mein noodles tossed in a light soy sauce are a great alternative.
Crunchy, Bright Vegetables: Balance is Key
The richness of sesame chicken calls for vegetables that provide contrasting flavors and textures. Focus on fresh, lively flavors and a good crunch.
Steamed broccoli is a simple, healthy choice. When you want to add some style, mix broccoli florets with sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Vegetable medleys like bell peppers, snap peas, baby bok choy, and water chestnuts that have been stir-fried look and taste great.
Asian greens like bok choy, gai lan, or napa cabbage lend an authentic vibe. Quick-cook them with garlic, sesame oil, and oyster sauce. For less-known veggies, try long beans, baby corn, or choy sum.
Light, Cooling Salads: The Yin to Sesame Chicken’s Yang
A fresh, bright salad balances the meal beautifully. The crunch and acidity cuts the chicken’s richness for the perfect complement.
For an Asian slaw, shred napa cabbage, carrots, and radishes then dress with a tangy rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ginger dressing. Top with peanuts or fresh herbs. A simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil also hits the spot.
Or go fruit-forward with a mango, pineapple, or orange salad, or a mixed greens salad with mandarin oranges and slivered almonds. The sweet juiciness pairs perfectly with the savory chicken.
Special Touches: Take it Over the Top
A few special touches can really make your sesame chicken dinner exceptional. Consider adding:
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Edamame: Nutty, crunchy, protein-packed legumes. Toss them into a salad or serve them on the side.
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Fresh herbs: Cilantro, basil, mint, or Thai basil brighten up any side dish.
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Toasted sesame seeds: Sprinkle them on vegetables or salads for nutty crunch.
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Tangy dipping sauces: Serve spicy mayo, sweet chili sauce, or a ginger scallion sauce for drizzling.
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Sliced avocado: Creamy richness to balance the chicken’s crispness.
With the right combination of sides playing off the flavors in sesame chicken, you can create a mouthwatering Asian-inspired feast. Don’t settle for just rice with your takeout – get creative with crunchy, fresh veggie dishes and cooling salads for a meal that’s truly exceptional. Your tastebuds will thank you!
Easy Sesame Chicken Recipe
If you’re unfamiliar with this Chinese-American fast food classic, sesame chicken is small pieces of tender chicken that have been coated in an egg and cornstarch, deep-fried until crispy, and then coated in a deliciously sweet, salty, and tangy sauce. The sauce also has a light but toasty flavor, thanks to sesame seeds.
On the other hand, I wrote this recipe just for people like me who hate deep-frying. There isn’t as much oil in my recipe for cooking the chicken as there would be in a deep fry, so the edges aren’t as crispy, but I think the trade-off is WELL worth it. No leftover oil to deal with, no cooking oil smell filling your house, and no splattering oil trying to kill you. So worth sacrificing crispy edges (and it’s just as delicious!) .
- 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)
- First, prepare the sauce. Put soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, minced garlic, cornstarch, and sesame seeds in a small bowl. Mix them together. (Grate the ginger with a small-holed cheese grater). Set the sauce aside.
- Mix the egg, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a large bowl with a whisk. Take off any extra fat from the chicken thighs, then cut them into 1-inch pieces. Toss the chicken in the egg and cornstarch mixture.
- Put the cooking oil in a big pan and set it on medium heat. You should wait until the pan is very hot before swirling it to cover the whole surface with oil. Put the chicken that has been dipped in batter into the pan and spread it out in a single layer.
- Do not touch the chicken pieces while they are cooking. Wait for the bottom to turn golden brown. Then, carefully flip the chicken over, making sure to break up the pieces into smaller groups the whole time. Keep cooking the chicken until the other side is golden brown. Stir the chicken as little as possible so that you don’t break the egg coating on top of it.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken when it’s done and golden brown all over. Toss the chicken to coat in the sauce. The sauce will start to get thicker as it cools down. Stir the chicken in the sauce slowly until it gets thicker, then turn off the heat.
- Put the chicken on top of the rice and top it with the sliced green onions.
- Non Stick Cookware
- Grater
- Color Cutting Boards
chinese takeout recipes ~ sesame chicken
FAQ
What to eat sesame chicken with?
Here you have two meals in one: you can serve the sesame chicken with noodles or steamed rice if you prefer, and then the fried rice can be the perfect ….
What does sesame chicken come with?
After these preparations, the unfinished dish is topped with small sesame seeds, which may or may not be toasted, hence the name sesame chicken. It is sometimes, but not always, served with vegetables such as broccoli and baby corn.
What does sesame go well with?
Sesame seeds work particularly well with chicken and other meats and in warm salads and salad dressings. They also add a distinctive flavour to stir-fried and rice dishes. Ground sesame seeds are used to make tahini, a smooth paste commonly added to Middle Eastern dishes.
What to have with honey sesame chicken?
Serve it with stir-fried or steamed greens, or a pack of stir-fried veg and noodles for a quick and healthy meal.