I didn’t even realize that I liked Chinese food until after I was married, and then, the first dish that I tried at a little take-out place in Charlotte, NC was Sesame Chicken. It was crispy, sweet, tangy, moist, and delicious, and I wondered how I’d lived so long without it. We ordered it on a regular basis, and all was well in my world.
Four years later, we moved to a new state, and I had to deal with the trauma of not being able to find a place that prepared such delicious sesame chicken. (It’s true that you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone), and I missed it! Over the years, I found some new favorites, but sometimes, I think about that place, and miss my first love.
Then one day, I was scrolling through some recipes, and I saw one for sesame chicken. Why had it never occurred to me to try making it???? I started experimenting, and after some trial and error, I’m happy to say that we’re reunited, and it tastes so good!
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup cornstarch
- Garlic salt and fresh black pepper
- ½ cup canola oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
- ½ -1 teaspoon sesame seeds for garnish
- ¾ cup honey
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup rice wine vinegar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon crushed garlic
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Whisk together all ingredients and set aside.
- Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, place in a large bowl, and season with garlic salt and fresh pepper.
- Place cornstarch in one small mixing bowl and beaten eggs in another. Toss chicken pieces with beaten eggs first then coat with cornstarch, and set on a clean plate.
- Heat canola oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat, and cook chicken pieces until browned. Transfer chicken to a plate lined with paper towels, and drain oil from pan.
- Return pan to medium heat, and pour in sauce. Bring to a boil, and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Place chicken pieces back in pan, and toss to coat with sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onion slices, and serve immediately.
¾ cup honey
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup rice wine vinegar
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup ketchup
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Set aside.
3 eggs
and …
1 cup cornstarch
into another small bowl.
½ cup canola oil
Return pan to medium heat, and …
½ -1 teaspoon sesame seeds
If you want the same flavor with less of a crunch, do this.
SIMPLE!
