Sesame Chicken Delight

$- Chicken and Marinade Components - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces - 1/4 cup cornstarch - 1/4 cup sesame oil, divided - 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce - 3 tablespoons honey - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar - 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger - 3 cloves garlic, minced - Vegetable Additions - 1/2 cup sesame seeds, toasted - 2 green onions, chopped for garnish - 1 cup snap peas - 1 red bell pepper, sliced - Cooking Essentials - Cooked jasmine rice, for serving In this recipe, I use chicken thighs for their juicy and tender texture. The cornstarch gives the chicken a nice crisp when cooked. Sesame oil adds a rich flavor, while the soy sauce brings in saltiness. Honey and rice vinegar create a sweet and tangy balance. Fresh ginger and garlic add depth to the dish. For the vegetables, I choose snap peas and red bell peppers. They add color and crunch. The toasted sesame seeds on top give a nutty finish. Finally, serve it all over jasmine rice for a complete meal. This mix of ingredients makes a flavorful and satisfying dish, perfect for any night! {{ingredient_image_1}} Tossing Chicken in Cornstarch Start by cutting 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs into small pieces. Put the chicken into a medium bowl. Sprinkle 1/4 cup of cornstarch over the chicken. Toss it gently until each piece is coated. This step makes the chicken crispy. Sautéing Chicken to Perfection Heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a large skillet. Use medium-high heat for better results. Add the chicken to the skillet. Cook it for about 8 to 10 minutes. Stir the chicken often until it is golden brown and fully cooked. Once done, take the chicken out and set it aside. Stir-frying Vegetables and Aromatics In the same skillet, pour in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. Add 3 cloves of minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger. Next, toss in 1 sliced red bell pepper and 1 cup of snap peas. Stir-fry these for 4 to 5 minutes. You want the veggies to be tender but still crisp. Creating the Flavorful Sauce While the veggies are cooking, grab a small bowl. Mix together 1/4 cup of low-sodium soy sauce, 3 tablespoons of honey, and 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar. Whisk them until smooth. This sauce will bring everything together. Mixing Chicken with Vegetables Once the veggies are ready, pour the sauce over them in the skillet. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet. Stir everything together well. Let it heat for another 2 to 3 minutes. This step helps the flavors blend. Heating and Final Touches After everything is hot, take the skillet off the heat. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of toasted sesame seeds over the chicken and vegetables. This adds crunch and extra flavor. Serve your sesame chicken over jasmine rice. Garnish with chopped green onions for a fresh touch. Enjoy your meal! Tips for Crispy Chicken To make the chicken crispy, coat it well with cornstarch. This creates a nice crust when you cook it. Heat your skillet before adding the chicken. This helps it sizzle right away, locking in the moisture. Cook the chicken in batches if your skillet is small. Overcrowding makes it steam instead of fry. Avoiding Overcooking Keep an eye on the chicken while it cooks. It should take about 8-10 minutes to brown. Use a meat thermometer to check if it reaches 165°F. If you overcook it, the chicken will become tough and dry. Trust your instincts and check it often. Suggestions for Additional Spices You can boost the flavor by adding spices like black pepper or five-spice powder. A pinch of crushed red pepper gives a nice kick. Feel free to experiment with spices you love. Adding a dash of sesame oil at the end can also enhance the taste. Using Fresh vs. Dried Ingredients Fresh ingredients like ginger and garlic add a strong flavor. Dried ingredients work too, but they don’t pack the same punch. I recommend using fresh garlic and ginger if you can. They make your dish taste vibrant and fresh. Presentation Tips for Serving Serving is key to enjoying your meal. Place jasmine rice in a large bowl first. Then, pile the chicken and veggies on top. This creates a beautiful layered look. Sprinkle extra sesame seeds for a nice touch. Garnishing Techniques with Green Onions Chopped green onions make a great garnish. They add color and a mild onion taste. Scatter them over the top just before serving. You can even use the green parts for a pop of color. This simple step makes your dish look fancy and inviting. Pro Tips Marinate for More Flavor: For an even richer taste, marinate the chicken in soy sauce, honey, and ginger for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and ginger will enhance the flavor of your dish significantly compared to dried alternatives. Perfectly Toasted Sesame Seeds: Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until golden to intensify their flavor. Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to add or substitute your favorite vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers for a vibrant dish. {{image_2}} You can swap chicken for tofu or shrimp. - Using Tofu or Shrimp: Tofu is great for a vegetarian twist. Just press it to remove water, then cube it. Sauté it in the same way as chicken. Shrimp cooks fast, so add it to the pan for just 3-5 minutes until it's pink and cooked through. - Exploring Other Cuts of Chicken: While thighs are juicy, you can also use chicken breasts. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and follow the same steps. Breasts cook faster, so be mindful not to overcook them. You can change veggies based on what you have. - Recommended Vegetable Swaps: Bell peppers and snap peas are tasty, but use broccoli, carrots, or zucchini too. They bring color and crunch to the dish. - Seasonal Vegetable Ideas: In spring, try asparagus or green beans. In autumn, use mushrooms or squash. Each season gives you fresh choices for variety in flavor. Changing the sauce can change your dish. - Adding Spicy Elements: Want some heat? Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce. Start with a little and taste as you go. - Customizing Sweetness Levels: If you like it sweeter, add more honey. For less sweetness, cut back. You can also use maple syrup or agave for a unique twist. Adjust it to suit your taste! To keep your sesame chicken fresh, store leftovers in a sealed container. This helps prevent drying out and keeps flavors intact. Place the container in the fridge. Consume leftovers within three days for the best taste. If you notice any off smells, it is best to discard them. You can freeze sesame chicken for later meals. Allow it to cool completely before freezing. Use airtight containers or freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. Label the bags with the date. Sesame chicken can last up to three months in the freezer. To reheat frozen sesame chicken, first, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then, heat it in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between. Prepping ingredients ahead of time saves you effort on busy days. Cut chicken, bell pepper, and snap peas in advance. Store them in the fridge in separate containers. This way, you can quickly assemble meals when you are ready to cook. Assembling the dish is easy. Simply toss the prepped ingredients together and follow the cooking steps. You can also cook a larger batch and store it for quick meals. This makes enjoying delicious sesame chicken even easier! - Recommended Side Dishes - I love serving sesame chicken with jasmine rice. The fluffy rice soaks up the sauce well. - You can also add steamed broccoli for a crunchy texture. It complements the chicken nicely. - A simple cucumber salad adds freshness and balances the meal. - Pairing Suggestions for Drinks - A light iced tea works great. It refreshes your palate after each bite. - For something stronger, try a cold beer. The flavors of the beer match well with the dish. - If you prefer wine, a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc pairs perfectly too. - Best Practices for Meal Prep - Yes, you can prep this dish ahead. Cook the chicken and veggies but leave out the sauce. - Store each component in separate containers. This keeps everything fresh and tasty. - Tips for Storing and Reheating - Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to three days. Make sure they are in airtight containers. - When reheating, add a splash of water to keep it moist. Heat on the stove until warm. - Nutritional Considerations - Sesame chicken has protein from chicken and healthy fats from sesame oil. - It can be high in sugar if you use a lot of honey. Adjust the amount for a lighter dish. - Alternatives for Health-Conscious Cooks - Try using skinless chicken breast for less fat. - Swap honey for a low-calorie sweetener to cut down on sugar. In this blog post, we explored how to create delicious sesame chicken. We covered the key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. You can perfect the chicken's texture and enhance flavors with various spices. There are even variations to suit your taste. Finally, we shared storage tips for leftovers and meal prep ideas. With these insights, you can make a tasty dish for any occasion. Enjoy experimenting with flavors and impressing your friends and family. Happy cooking!$

A delicious stir-fry featuring tender chicken thighs coated in a savory sesame sauce with vibrant vegetables.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup sesame oil, divided
1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium)
3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup sesame seeds (toasted)
2 stalks green onions, chopped for garnish
1 cup snap peas
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
as needed serving cooked jasmine rice

Instructions

In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until evenly coated.
Heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken to the skillet and sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of sesame oil. Add minced garlic, ginger, red bell pepper, and snap peas. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, until vegetables are tender-crisp.
In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, and rice vinegar. Pour this sauce over the vegetable mixture in the skillet, then add the cooked chicken back in. Stir until everything is well combined and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
Once done, remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the chicken and vegetables.
Serve the sesame chicken over a bed of jasmine rice, and garnish with chopped green onions.

Notes

Serve the chicken in a large bowl with jasmine rice on the bottom and the chicken-vegetable mixture on top, sprinkled with extra sesame seeds and green onion for a pop of color.

Keyword chicken, quick meal, sesame, stir-fry