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Weeknight • Chicken

Speedy Saucy Sesame Chicken

This quick and flavorful sesame chicken comes with a rich, sticky sauce, perfect for a speedy weeknight stir-fry.

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Speedy Saucy Sesame Chicken

Forget takeout! This Speedy Saucy Sesame Chicken recipe brings all the delicious flavors of your favorite Chinese dish right to your kitchen, in a fraction of the time. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a sweet and savory, extra-saucy glaze that's absolutely irresistible. Serve it over fluffy rice and watch it disappear!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Chicken

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Sesame Sauce

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp cold water to form a slurry)

For Serving

  • Cooked rice or noodles
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Sliced green onions, for garnish

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a medium bowl, toss chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons cornstarch, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.

  2. Step 2

    In a separate small bowl, whisk together all the sesame sauce ingredients (chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and minced garlic). Set aside.

  3. Step 3

    Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken in a single layer and cook for 3-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.

  4. Step 4

    Pour the whisked sauce mixture into the hot skillet. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Add the cornstarch slurry and continue to stir until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, about 1-2 minutes.

  5. Step 5

    Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat thoroughly in the sticky sesame sauce.

  6. Step 6

    Serve immediately over cooked rice or noodles, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Tips

  • Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking the chicken; cook in batches if necessary to get a good sear.
  • Add some steamed broccoli or snap peas to the pan with the chicken for a full meal in one shot.

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