Sesame Chicken - CJ Eats Recipes (2024)

4.79 from 14 votes

INGREDIENTS TIPS

SHAOXING WINE
If you cannot or do not want to use wine, you can sub with sherry, mirin, or chicken stock!

FLOUR + CORNSTARCH + BAKING POWDER
My favorite combination is FLOUR, CORNSTARCH, and BAKING POWDER for frying chicken! When mixed with the flour, the cornstarch makes the flour coating crispier and gives it that golden brown color! (It has to do with prevention of gluten development.) The baking powder reacts with the oil and creates tiny air bubbles, which also helps form a crispy coating.

WHITE PEPPER
I get asked all the time if you can sub black pepper for white pepper – and my answer is, it depends BUT you need to watch the ratio. White pepper has a milder flavor profile than black pepper, so it’s a 1-1 substitute. I would start with less black pepper and add as you go. (But really, you should have white pepper in your pantry! It’s a staple in mine!)

CORNSTARCH SLURRY
A cornstarch slurry is a mixture of cornstarch and water that is used in cooking to thicken WITHOUT powdery lumps or additional flavors/colors! This is the secret to so many of your favorite Chinese dishes. My #1 tip is make sure your cornstarch slurry has not separated before adding it in – I always try to re-stir right before!

NEUTRAL OIL
My favorite neutral oil is avocado oil, but you can also use canola or vegetable oil! I don’t use olive oil when cooking Chinese food for two reasons: 1. It has a low burning point and 2. The flavor profile does not go.

RECIPE TIPS

Servings: 3

Prep: 30 minutes mins

Cook: 20 minutes mins

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Chicken

• ▢ 1 lb chicken breast or thigh, cut into 1" pieces
• ▢ 1 tsp kosher salt
• ▢ 1/2 tsp white pepper
• ▢ 2 tbsp soy sauce
• ▢ 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic, grated
• ▢ 1/2 tbsp ginger, grated
• ▢ 1 tsp sesame oil

Seasoned Dredge

• ▢ 1 cup flour
• ▢ 1 cup cornstarch
• ▢ 1/2 tbsp kosher salt
• ▢ 1/2 tbsp white pepper
• ▢ 1/2 tbsp baking powder

Sauce

• ▢ 1/4 cup light soy sauce
• ▢ 2 tbsp ketchup
• ▢ 1/2 cup chicken stock
• ▢ 2 tbsp sugar
• ▢ 2 tbsp honey
• ▢ 1 tbsp sesame oil

Other Ingredients

• ▢ 4 cloves garlic
• ▢ 1 tbsp ginger
• ▢ 2 tbsp vinegar
• ▢ 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• ▢ 1 tbsp sesame oil
• ▢ neutral oil, for frying; I used avocado oil

Cornstarch Slurry

• ▢ 1 tbsp cornstarch
• ▢ 1/4 cup water

US Customary – Metric

• Slice chicken breast into 1" pieces and place in a bowl with kosher salt, white pepper, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. Marinate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight for best results.

• In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, kosher salt, white pepper, and baking powder.

• In a separate bowl, create your sauce by combining light soy sauce, ketchup, chicken stock, sugar, honey, and sesame oil. Mix until well combined and set aside.

• Dredge your marinated chicken in the flour & cornstarch mixture (shake off excess). Pack in the dredge to ensure there are no dry spots. Let rest on a rack for 10-15 minutes while you heat your oil. In the meantime, chop garlic and ginger, and prepare vinegar, sesame seeds, sesame oil, and your cornstarch slurry and set next to your pan.

• In a heavy bottomed pot or dutch oven, heat oil to 350F and fry the chicken in batches for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden. Remove, then fry a second time at 350F for 1-2 minute until golden and extra crispy. Season with salt to taste.

• In a pan or wok over high heat, add 2 tbsp of neutral oil and fry your garlic and ginger for 15 seconds or until fragrant. Immediately add your sauce until it starts to bubble (about 45-60 seconds). Add your cornstarch slurry and your vinegar, and continue stirring until the sauce has thickened. Add your chicken and coat in the sauce and finish with sesame seeds and sesame oil. Enjoy!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese