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Weeknight • Chicken

Crispy Sesame Ginger Chicken

Achieve restaurant-quality crispy chicken with a flavorful sesame ginger sauce in your own kitchen, no deep-frying needed!

Prep
15 min
Cook
20 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Crispy Sesame Ginger Chicken

Forget takeout! This Crispy Sesame Ginger Chicken delivers all the delicious flavors and textures you crave, right in your home kitchen. We're talking tender chicken with an irresistible crispy coating, all tossed in a sweet and savory ginger-sesame sauce. It's surprisingly easy and so much healthier than your usual Friday night indulgence!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

For the Chicken

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Sauce

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (slurry)

For Garnish/Serving

  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Sliced green onions
  • Steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Pat chicken pieces very dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, combine cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat evenly, shaking off any excess.

  2. Step 2

    Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside.

  3. Step 3

    While chicken cooks, prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey (or brown sugar), sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Set aside.

  4. Step 4

    Once all chicken is cooked and removed, pour the sauce mixture into the same skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.

  5. Step 5

    Return the cooked crispy chicken to the skillet. Toss gently to coat all the chicken pieces evenly with the warm sauce.

  6. Step 6

    Serve immediately over steamed rice or with stir-fried vegetables. Garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Tips

  • Patting the chicken very dry is crucial for achieving a crispy coating.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken; this allows for better browning and crisping.
  • Adjust the amount of honey or brown sugar in the sauce to your preferred sweetness.

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