Sesame Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
cut into small 1/2-inch cubes
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot
or cornstarch
- 1 ½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoons avocado oil
divided
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 ½ tablespoons minced garlic
about 4 cloves
- 3 cups cooked white rice
- 2 scallions
sliced
- 1/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
or gluten-free tamari
- 3 tablespoons monk fruit sweetener
coconut sugar, honey or sweetener of choice
- 2 teaspoons tomato paste
- 2 ½ tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
- ½ tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon arrowroot
or cornstarch
- ¼ cup filtered water
Directions
- 1
Combine cubed chicken with salt, pepper, ginger, arrowroot, and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. I like to lay it flat on a cutting board and sprinkle the oil first and mix. Then I evenly distribute the powders and seasonings and mix well to evenly combine.
- 2
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat for 3 minutes. When hot add half of the avocado oil and let it heat up for 1 minute.
- 3
Add half of the chicken in an even layer to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, flipping halfway until golden brown. It’s best to cook in batches not to overcrowd the pan so chicken can crisp up. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate. Repeat with remaining oil and chicken and set aside.
- 4
Prepare the sauce by mixing the soy sauce, sugar, tomato paste, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and ginger together in a bowl until well combined. Set aside.
- 5
Make the slurry by combing the tablespoon of cornstarch or arrowroot flour and water together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- 6
Add 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil to the pan along with red chili pepper flakes and garlic. Cook 30 seconds, stirring the pan frequently, until fragrant.
- 7
Add half of the sauce to the pan and continue cooking for 1 minute, stirring the bottom of the pan frequently.
- 8
Return the chicken back into the pan and toss to combine. Add the remainder of the sauce into the pan. Slowly drizzle in the arrowroot slurry and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- 9
Serve with cooked rice and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
Sesame Chicken Recipe
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About this Recipe
Craving the irresistible flavors of your favorite sesame chicken but want a healthier option you can make at home? This healthy Sesame Chicken recipe delivers all the sweet, savory, tangy, and slightly spicy notes you love, perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
What sets this recipe apart is its perfectly balanced sauce, which coats tender chicken breast bites beautifully. You'll achieve that sought-after restaurant-quality taste thanks to a thoughtful blend of ingredients, creating a satisfying meal that feels indulgent without being heavy.
Expect a vibrant dish where succulent chicken pieces are enveloped in a rich, glossy sauce. Each bite offers a delightful interplay of sweetness from monk fruit sweetener (or your chosen alternative), the umami depth of reduced sodium soy sauce, a bright tang from seasoned rice vinegar, and a subtle warmth from red pepper flakes and ginger. The toasted sesame oil adds a wonderful nutty aroma, complementing the chicken's lean texture. Served over fluffy white rice and garnished with fresh scallions and sesame seeds, this dish is both visually appealing and incredibly satisfying.
This versatile recipe offers several ways to customize it to your taste. You can easily adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the red pepper flakes. For a gluten-free version, simply opt for gluten-free tamari instead of reduced sodium soy sauce. Feel free to experiment with different sweeteners like coconut sugar or honey to match your dietary preferences. If you're out of arrowroot, cornstarch works just as well for thickening the sauce.
Serve this delightful Sesame Chicken over warm cooked white rice for a complete meal. A sprinkle of additional sesame seeds and sliced scallions not only adds visual appeal but also enhances the flavor and texture, making it an ideal choice for a satisfying family dinner.