Sesame Chicken: A taste of Chinese cuisine

 

Sesame chicken is a popular dish that is often found on the menu of Chinese restaurants. It is made with chicken that has been coated in sesame seeds and then fried. The chicken is then typically served in a sweet and savory sauce.

There are many different variations of sesame chicken, but the basic ingredients and cooking methods are the same. The chicken is first cut into small pieces and then marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. The chicken is then coated in sesame seeds and fried until it is golden brown and cooked through.

The sauce for sesame chicken is typically made with a combination of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, honey, and cornstarch. The sauce is cooked until it is thickened and then poured over the fried chicken.

Sesame chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. It can also be served as an appetizer or at a party.

Here is a recipe for sesame chicken that you can try at home:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
3. Spread the sesame seeds on a plate. Dredge the chicken in the sesame seeds.
4. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, honey, and cornstarch. Add to the skillet with the chicken and cook until the sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes.
6. Serve immediately.

Tips:

• You can use any type of chicken for this recipe, but boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the most common.
• If you don't have sesame seeds, you can substitute bread crumbs or crushed peanuts.
• To make the sauce ahead of time, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, honey, and cornstarch. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to make the chicken, heat the sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat until it is thickened, about 2 minutes.
• Serve sesame chicken with rice or noodles.

Here are some additional tips for making sesame chicken:

• Make sure to marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. This will help to flavor the chicken and make it more tender.
• When frying the chicken, be sure to cook it over medium heat. This will help to prevent the chicken from burning.
• If you are using a wok, be sure to heat it up well before adding the chicken. This will help to prevent the chicken from sticking.
• Serve sesame chicken immediately. This will help to keep the chicken crispy.

Here are some variations on the classic sesame chicken recipe:

• Spicy sesame chicken: Add 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the marinade.
• Honey sesame chicken: Add 1 tablespoon of honey to the sauce.
• Sesame chicken with vegetables: Add 1 cup of chopped vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or peppers, to the skillet with the chicken.

Sesame chicken is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Experiment with different variations of the recipe to find your favorite.