A simple yet flavorful recipe that is easy to make! Crispy and tender chicken tossed in a sweet yet savory sesame sauce. This Garlic Sesame Chicken will have your mouth watering. Skip the takeout and make it at home!

Take Out Made at Home

Although I love a good home-cooked meal, it is nothing like ordering take out! If there are any other foodies out there who get excited ordering food please raise your hand. The anticipation of the doorbell ringing can be hard to sit through, especially when you are hangry!

Sometimes you just want to grab the food and immediately start eating it. But, then you remember that you haven’t paid the delivery person.

I have been in this situation more times than I would like to admit. However, eating out can get very expensive. So, let’s make some delicious take out food at home! My Easy Garlic Sesame Chicken is here to do the trick! You will get your delicious take out while saving some money. Now, who doesn’t want that!

Recipe SUGGESTIONS

Although this dish is delicious and packed with flavor, I do understand that some people want to eat a little bit healthier. But, you never want to sacrifice flavor! Here are some suggestions to make the dish a little healthier and/or dietary friendly:

• Stick to the Chicken Breasts. Chicken breasts are the leanest part of the chicken. Just make sure to not overcook the breasts. White meat always cooks faster than dark meat. 

• Bake or Air Fry the Chicken. Toss the Chicken in some vegetable oil before seasoning. After seasoning, put the chicken in the oven or air fryer at 350 degrees until the chicken reaches 165 degrees internally. Then, toss the chicken in the sauce. 

• Pair the Dish with Mixed Veggies. This dish would not be complete with some steamed, but seasoned, vegetables. There are so many options as well including broccoli, snap peas, carrots, asparagus, etc. 

• Try Using Brown Sugar instead of Honey. I know some people are allergic to or cannot eat honey due to dietary restrictions. Although brown sugar can be sweeter it is another alternative. I would use about ¼ to ½ cup of honey. Dilute the sauce with a little water if you need to.

Garlic Sesame Chicken Ingredients

Let’s walk through each ingredient so you understand its importance. The chicken is delicious on its own. But, the sauce is what brings the chicken to life. It is sweet, a little spicy, and fragrant. The chicken has just the right amount of crispiness that it is not lost when sauced. 

• Chicken Breasts or Thighs: This is the main ingredient and protein in this recipe. Thigh or breast meat will work just fine. If using breast meat, do not let it overcook. You do not want dry Garlic Sesame Chicken. 

  • The chicken is seasoned with a few basic seasonings which include: onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and paprika. 

• Corn Starch & Flour: This mixture is used for dredging the chicken chunks. Corn starch will give the chicken a slightly different texture and flavor. 

• Sesame Seeds: The sesame seeds are another of the main ingredients. They can either be toasted or untoasted depending on your preferences.

• Vegetable Oil: The oil is used for deep frying and sauteing the garlic. If you do not have vegetable oil, any other cooking oil work (i.e. grapeseed oil, canola oil, etc.)

• Garlic: Garlic is one of the main ingredients as well. I used 2 full tablespoons to really get the garlic flavor into the sauce.

• Soy Sauce: The soy sauce adds the salty aspect to the sauce while adding a ton of umami.

• Rice Vinegar: The vinegar has a tart but slightly sweet taste similar to that of a tart apple. I used this to cut some of the saltiness in the sauce. Apple cider vinegar can also be used as a substitution. 

• Honey & Ketchup: The honey is the main sweeter of the sauce. Plus its sugar content will create a nice sticky sauce. I only used a little bit of ketchup for the slight tomato taste and its sweet taste. 

• Water: The water was added to thin out and dilute the sauce.

• Sesame Seeds & Oil: You cannot have Garlic Sesame Chicken without these two ingredients. Be very careful with the sesame oil. It has a strong flavor that could overpower the sauce if too much is used. 

• Ground Ginger: The ginger brightens up the sauce. Fresh ginger could be used for this recipe as well. I would add about a tablespoon or so of it. 

• Cornstarch: I used a small amount of cornstarch to help thicken the sauce. It can be added to the water beforehand as well to make a slurry.

• Green Onions: The green onions/scallions are used to garnish the chicken. Plus the add a slight bite to the chicken. Fresh will be best for this recipe. 

How to Make Garlic Sesame Chicken:

This Garlic Sesame Chicken made my family’s night! If you want a quick lunch or dinner, this is the recipe for you! Once you get past the ingredients, the rest is as simple as it gets. Your stomach will thank you later! Pair this with some rice or lo mein, and you will be in food coma heaven. 

The full written recipe is below, but here’s an overview.

• Step 1: Heat the Frying Oil. Add vegetable oil to a large cooking pot for frying. Heat the oil on medium-high heat. Allow the oil to reach between 350 and 365 degrees. Test with a thermometer.

• Step 2: Season & Dredge the Chicken. While the oil is heating, season the chicken with salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix flour and cornstarch together in a bowl or plastic bag. Toss the chicken in the cornstarch and flour mixture.

• Step 3: Fry the Chicken. Begin frying the chicken in batches until crispy. The chicken should reach 165 degrees internally. When the chicken is fully cooked, transfer it to a tray or bowl lined with paper towels or a wire rack.

• Step 4: Make the Sauce. Heat a medium skillet with 2 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. When the oil is heated, add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add all of the remaining ingredients, except the green onions and sesame seeds, to the skillet. Allow the mixture to simmer and thicken for about 3 - 5 minutes.

• Step 5: Toss the Chicken. Remove the sesame sauce from the heat. Add the chicken to the sauce and toss. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the chicken and toss.

• Step 6: Garnish & Serve. Garnish with sliced green onions. Serve with steamed white rice, fried rice, or lo mein, and enjoy!

I’d love to hear your feedback about this EASY Garlic Sesame Chicken. Leave me a message in the comments section below. Remember to share and enjoy! Follow Be Greedy Eats on Pinterest and Instagram as well!

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