Key Takeaways

Sesame Chicken: Your Ultimate Sticky Honey Takeout Recipe

Sesame chicken, with its irresistible balance of sweet and savoury flavours and delightful texture, is a cherished takeaway favourite that you can now master at home. The culinary experts at evilchefmom are thrilled to present a superior sticky honey sesame chicken recipe, designed to surpass your expectations and deliver an authentic, restaurant-quality experience right in your kitchen, ensuring a perfect weeknight dinner solution.

What Makes This Sticky Honey Sesame Chicken Recipe Truly Superior to Takeaway Options?

Our sticky honey sesame chicken recipe stands out by offering unparalleled freshness, complete ingredient control, and significant cost savings, all while delivering a healthier, customisable, and intensely flavourful dining experience that consistently outperforms typical takeaway options in the UK.

Crafting your own takeout style chicken at home presents a myriad of advantages over simply ordering in. The primary benefit lies in the absolute freshness of ingredients. When you prepare this honey sesame chicken recipe, you select the finest, locally sourced chicken, vibrant vegetables, and premium condiments. This ensures maximum flavour and nutritional integrity, which can often be compromised in mass-produced takeaway dishes. For instance, using free-range British chicken breasts, known for their superior texture and flavour, elevates the entire dish.

Furthermore, home cooking grants you complete control over the nutritional profile. Many commercial takeaways in the UK, while delicious, often contain higher levels of sodium, unhealthy fats, and sugars. Our recipe, however, allows for precise adjustments. You can opt for reduced-sodium soy sauce, control the amount of honey for sweetness, and choose healthier cooking methods like baking, which we will detail later. This level of customisation ensures your meal aligns perfectly with your dietary preferences and health goals, a significant advantage for the health-conscious British consumer.

From an economic perspective, preparing a delicious sesame chicken meal at home is remarkably cost-effective. A family portion from a local takeaway can easily cost between £15-£25, excluding sides and delivery. By investing in quality ingredients for this recipe, the total cost for a comparable, or even larger, meal often falls below £10, providing substantial savings over time. This makes gourmet home-cooking a financially savvy choice for British households.

Finally, the sheer joy and satisfaction derived from creating a truly exceptional dish from scratch are immeasurable. The aromatic blend of toasted sesame oil, ginger, and garlic filling your kitchen creates an inviting atmosphere, promising a delightful culinary journey. The ability to tailor the spice level, the crispiness of the chicken, and the thickness of the sweet chicken glaze to your exact preference truly elevates this homemade rendition to a level of excellence that few takeaways can match. It transforms a simple meal into a memorable dining experience, making it a highly shareable and savable recipe.

How Do We Achieve That Distinct Sweet and Nutty Sesame Flavour Profile?

The signature sweet and nutty sesame chicken flavour is meticulously built through strategic use of high-quality toasted sesame oil and a generous sprinkling of lightly toasted sesame seeds, perfectly balanced by the natural sweetness of honey within the rich, savoury glaze.

The heart of any exceptional sesame chicken recipe lies in its aromatic and flavourful profile, dominated by the distinct notes of sesame. Achieving this requires a two-pronged approach: incorporating high-quality toasted sesame oil and finishing with toasted sesame seeds. Toasted sesame oil is not merely a cooking oil; it is a powerful flavour enhancer. Unlike regular sesame oil, the toasted variant undergoes a process where sesame seeds are roasted before pressing, intensifying their nutty, earthy character. A small quantity, typically 1-2 tablespoons for a family-sized portion, added towards the end of the sauce-making process, ensures its delicate aroma is preserved and provides a deep, umami richness that defines classic Asian cuisine.

The visual and textural appeal, alongside an additional layer of nuttiness, comes from the sesame seeds themselves. Lightly toasting white or black sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant releases their essential oils, significantly amplifying their flavour. These are then sprinkled generously over the finished dish, providing a delightful crunch and a burst of nutty essence with every bite. The combination of the oil infused within the sauce and the seeds as a garnish creates a comprehensive and satisfying sesame experience, making this a truly memorable sticky asian chicken dish.

What is the optimal method for infusing sesame flavour into chicken?

To optimally infuse sesame flavour, incorporate toasted sesame oil directly into the final sweet chicken glaze and garnish the cooked dish generously with freshly toasted sesame seeds, ensuring the delicate aroma is preserved and a delightful textural contrast is achieved.

The most effective strategy for maximising the sesame flavour in your sesame chicken involves careful timing and application. Toasted sesame oil is quite potent and its flavour can diminish if cooked for too long at high temperatures. Therefore, the optimal approach is to stir it into the sauce during the final stages of cooking, after the sauce has thickened and just before you combine it with the crispy chicken. This ensures the oil’s rich, nutty aroma remains vibrant and fresh, permeating the entire dish beautifully.

Complementing the oil, toasted sesame seeds provide both an aesthetic appeal and an additional layer of flavour and texture. Dry-toasting sesame seeds in a small pan over medium heat for approximately 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until they are light golden brown and fragrant, unlocks their full potential. They should then be sprinkled over the finished sticky asian chicken just before serving. This dual application of sesame oil in the glaze and sesame seeds as a garnish provides a comprehensive and delightful sesame experience, distinguishing this recipe as truly exceptional.

How does honey contribute to the sweet and nutty balance?

Honey is crucial in our honey sesame chicken, providing a natural, complex sweetness that harmonises beautifully with the nutty sesame and savoury soy, creating a desirable sticky texture and a rich caramelised flavour that elevates the entire dish.

Honey plays a pivotal role in the exquisite flavour profile of this sesame chicken. Beyond merely providing sweetness, its complex sugars and subtle floral notes contribute a depth of flavour that granulated sugar simply cannot replicate. For a typical batch serving 4-6 people, approximately 80-100ml of runny honey is ideal. This quantity delivers a balanced sweetness that perfectly complements the savoury umami of soy sauce and the pungent zing of ginger and garlic.

Moreover, honey is instrumental in achieving the signature sticky texture of the sauce. As the sauce simmers, the honey undergoes a gentle caramelisation, resulting in a glossy, viscous glaze that beautifully coats each piece of battered chicken. This caramelised sweetness not only enhances the overall taste but also creates a delightful mouthfeel, making the dish incredibly appealing. The natural acidity of ingredients like rice vinegar also helps to cut through the richness, ensuring the sweetness from the honey is vibrant and never cloying, contributing to a truly harmonious flavour experience in this sweet chicken.

What is the Secret to a Light, Crispy Batter That Perfectly Absorbs Our Irresistible Sauce?

The secret to a light, crispy, and sauce-absorbing batter for sesame chicken lies in a precise combination of cornflour and plain flour, often enhanced with an egg wash and specific frying or baking techniques, ensuring a golden-brown exterior that remains delightfully crunchy without being heavy.

The texture of the chicken is paramount in an outstanding sesame chicken dish. We aim for a coating that is light, crispy, and capable of soaking up that glorious, sticky sauce without becoming soggy. This delicate balance is achieved through the careful selection and application of our batter ingredients. A blend of cornflour and plain flour is essential. Cornflour, known for its ability to create an incredibly crisp texture, forms the backbone of our coating, contributing significantly to the desired crunch. Plain flour, on the other hand, provides structure and ensures the batter adheres effectively to the chicken pieces.

For optimal adherence and an even crispier finish, we recommend a two-stage coating process. First, lightly dredge the chicken pieces in a seasoned plain flour mixture. This initial layer creates a slightly tacky surface. Next, a quick dip in a whisked egg (or an egg substitute for an alternative) provides the perfect medium for the cornflour-heavy dry mix to cling to. The final dredge in the cornflour and plain flour blend ensures a comprehensive, thin, and even coating. This meticulous preparation prevents a thick, doughy batter, instead creating a golden-brown shell that remains wonderfully crunchy, even when drenched in the luscious sticky asian chicken glaze.

Why is a light batter essential for the best sticky sesame chicken experience?

A light batter is essential for the best sticky sesame chicken as it provides a delicate, crispy texture that perfectly absorbs the rich, sweet glaze without becoming heavy or soggy, allowing the natural flavours of the chicken and sauce to shine through harmoniously.

The choice of a light batter for sesame chicken is a deliberate culinary decision that profoundly impacts the overall enjoyment of the dish. A heavy, thick batter can quickly become dense and doughy, overwhelming the delicate chicken and creating an unpleasant mouthfeel. In contrast, a light coating, precisely crafted as detailed in our recipe, achieves a remarkable crispness that provides a delightful textural contrast to the tender chicken within. This crispness is not merely about crunch; it’s about providing a porous surface that effectively soaks up the vibrant, sticky sauce.

Consider the science of absorption: a thinner, more open batter structure allows the viscous honey-soy glaze to penetrate the surface of the chicken more efficiently, ensuring that every bite is thoroughly coated with the rich flavours. This leads to a more intensely flavoured experience, where the sweetness of the honey, the umami of the soy, and the nuttiness of the sesame oil can fully integrate with the battered chicken. Furthermore, a light batter prevents the dish from feeling overly rich or greasy, even when fried, contributing to a more balanced and satisfying meal. This thoughtful approach to batter ensures our takeout style chicken maintains its desirable texture and flavour integrity.

What are the precise ratios for an ideal battered chicken coating?

For an ideal battered chicken coating, use a 2:1 ratio of cornflour to plain flour, along with one beaten egg for every 500g of chicken, ensuring a light, even, and crispy texture that perfectly complements the rich glaze.

Achieving the perfect battered chicken coating requires precise measurements to ensure consistent crispiness and optimal sauce absorption. For approximately 500g of boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh, cut into 2.5cm pieces, we recommend the following ratios:

• • Initial Dredge: 50g plain flour, seasoned with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. This initial coating helps to dry the chicken surface and provides a base for the egg wash.
• • Egg Wash: 1 large egg, lightly whisked. The egg acts as a binding agent, ensuring the final coating adheres firmly to the chicken. For a plant-based alternative, a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tbsp water, left to sit for 5 minutes) can be used.
• • Final Coating: 100g cornflour mixed with 50g plain flour. This 2:1 cornflour-to-plain flour ratio is critical. Cornflour, or cornstarch as it’s known in some regions, creates a lighter, crispier crust compared to flour alone, which can become dense. This blend ensures a golden, crunchy exterior that remains delightful even after being generously coated in the rich, sweet chicken glaze.

These precise ratios are designed to create a thin, even layer that fries or bakes to a beautiful golden perfection, forming a delicate shell that encapsulates the succulent chicken. This meticulous approach to the coating is a hallmark of truly superior sesame chicken, ensuring maximum flavour and textural enjoyment.

How Do We Craft the Perfect Sweet Honey Soy Glaze for Our Honey Sesame Chicken?

The perfect sweet honey sesame chicken glaze is achieved by harmoniously blending soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, and garlic, thickened to an ideal sticky consistency with a cornflour slurry, culminating in a balanced flavour profile that is both rich and vibrant.

The glaze is arguably the most critical component of this sesame chicken recipe, transforming simple ingredients into a symphony of flavours. Our goal is a sauce that is not just sweet, but also deeply savoury, with a tangy brightness and a luxurious stickiness. The foundation of this glaze is a careful balance of soy sauce and honey. For a family portion (serving 4-6), approximately 120ml of good quality light soy sauce provides the essential umami and saltiness, while 80-100ml of runny honey introduces that complex, natural sweetness and aids in achieving the desired sticky texture.

To elevate the flavour, fresh aromatics are indispensable. About 2 cloves of finely minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger provide a fragrant, pungent kick that brightens the entire sauce. Rice vinegar, approximately 2 tablespoons, adds a crucial tangy counterpoint, preventing the sauce from becoming overly sweet and enhancing the overall complexity. A dash of sriracha or chilli flakes (optional, 1/2 teaspoon) can introduce a subtle warmth without overwhelming the palate. Finally, a cornflour slurry – typically 1 tablespoon of cornflour mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water – is whisked into the simmering sauce to achieve that perfect glossy, thick consistency, ensuring the sweet chicken is beautifully coated.

What are the key ingredients for an authentic sticky asian chicken sauce?

The key ingredients for an authentic sticky asian chicken sauce include soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, and toasted sesame oil, harmonised to create a complex sweet, savoury, and tangy flavour profile with an irresistible sticky texture.

To truly capture the essence of a premium sticky asian chicken sauce, the selection of each ingredient is paramount. The foundational components are:

• • Soy Sauce: Opt for a good quality light soy sauce. Dark soy sauce can be used sparingly for colour, but light soy provides the ideal savoury depth without overpowering. For a 500g chicken recipe, approximately 120ml is perfect.
• • Honey: Crucial for both sweetness and stickiness. Use about 80-100ml of a good runny honey. Its natural sugars contribute to a beautiful caramelisation.
• • Rice Vinegar: Essential for balancing the sweetness and richness. Around 2 tablespoons provides a bright, tangy counterpoint that elevates the sauce.
• • Fresh Ginger and Garlic: These aromatics are non-negotiable. Finely mince 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger and 2 cloves of garlic. Their pungent, fresh flavours are vital for the authentic Asian profile.
• • Toasted Sesame Oil: Added at the very end, 1-2 tablespoons imparts that signature nutty aroma and deep flavour without being cooked off.
• • Cornflour Slurry: A mixture of 1 tablespoon cornflour and 2 tablespoons cold water. This is whisked in to thicken the sauce to the perfect consistency, ensuring it beautifully clings to the battered chicken.

These ingredients, when combined and cooked thoughtfully, create a rich, glossy, and balanced sauce that is the hallmark of truly exceptional honey sesame chicken.

How can we ensure the glaze achieves the ideal sticky consistency?

To ensure the sticky asian chicken glaze achieves its ideal consistency, a cornflour slurry should be gradually whisked into the simmering sauce, allowing it to thicken over 2-3 minutes, followed by a final stir of honey which contributes to its luxurious stickiness.

The hallmark of a truly great sticky sesame chicken is its rich, glossy, and perfectly clinging glaze. Achieving this ideal sticky consistency is straightforward with the right technique and ingredients. The primary thickening agent we employ is a cornflour slurry. For a typical recipe serving 4-6, combine 1 tablespoon of cornflour with 2 tablespoons of cold water in a small bowl, whisking until smooth and lump-free.

Once your sauce ingredients (soy sauce, honey, vinegar, aromatics) have simmered for 2-3 minutes, gradually pour the cornflour slurry into the bubbling sauce while continuously whisking. Continue to whisk gently for another 1-2 minutes. You will observe the sauce visibly thickening and transforming into a luscious, glossy consistency. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon without being overly gloopy. If it appears too thin, a very small additional slurry (1/2 tsp cornflour with 1 tsp water) can be added. Conversely, if too thick, a splash of hot water or chicken stock can thin it out. The honey within the sauce also plays a crucial role; as it gently caramelises during simmering, it naturally contributes to the desirable stickiness, ensuring that every piece of battered chicken is enveloped in a delicious, glistening coating.

What are the Best Accompaniments for Serving This Delectable Takeout Style Chicken?

The most complementary accompaniments for this delectable takeout style chicken are fluffy steamed jasmine rice and vibrant, tender-crisp steamed broccoli, offering a perfect balance of texture, flavour, and nutritional benefits that enhance the overall dining experience.

A truly successful meal is not just about the main dish, but also about the harmonious pairing of accompaniments. For our sesame chicken, the classic pairing of fluffy rice and vibrant broccoli stands out as the ideal choice. This combination is not merely traditional; it is thoughtfully balanced to complement the rich, sweet, and sticky nature of the chicken.

Steamed jasmine rice, a fragrant long-grain rice, serves as the perfect canvas for the intensely flavoured honey sesame chicken. Its delicate aroma and tender, slightly sticky texture absorb the excess sauce beautifully, ensuring every spoonful is packed with flavour. For a healthier option, brown rice can also be used, providing additional fibre and a nutty counterpoint. Broccoli, when steamed to a tender-crisp perfection, offers a refreshing contrast. Its slightly bitter notes and vibrant green colour cut through the richness of the sauce, providing a pleasant textural crunch and a vital boost of essential vitamins and minerals, making the meal feel complete and incredibly satisfying.

Why do broccoli and rice complement sweet chicken so effectively?

Broccoli and rice effectively complement sweet chicken by providing textural contrast, balancing flavour profiles, and enhancing nutritional value, creating a complete and satisfying meal that is both delicious and wholesome.

The pairing of broccoli and rice with sweet chicken is a classic for excellent reasons, rooted in culinary principles of balance and contrast.

• • Textural Harmony: The tender, slightly chewy grains of rice provide a comforting base, while the crisp-tender florets of broccoli offer a delightful crunch. This textural interplay prevents the meal from being monotonous and keeps each bite engaging. The battered chicken, with its own delightful crispiness, blends perfectly into this symphony of textures.
• • Flavour Balance: The inherent sweetness and richness of the honey sesame chicken sauce are beautifully offset by the mild earthiness of rice and the subtle bitterness of broccoli. This balance ensures that the dish remains vibrant and prevents the sweet elements from becoming overwhelming, creating a well-rounded flavour profile.
• • Nutritional Enhancement: From a nutritional standpoint, this combination is excellent. Rice provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy. Broccoli is a powerhouse of vitamins (C, K), fibre, and antioxidants, contributing significantly to a balanced diet. Together, they transform the sesame chicken into a wholesome and complete meal, making it a fantastic choice for a nutritious family dinner.

This thoughtful pairing ensures that every aspect of the meal is not only delicious but also contributes to a fulfilling and satisfying culinary experience, perfectly aligning with the desire for a healthier takeout style chicken at home.

How can we prepare ideal fluffy rice and perfectly tender-crisp broccoli?

To prepare ideal fluffy rice, rinse thoroughly, use a precise 1:1.5 rice-to-water ratio, and cook undisturbed for 18 minutes, then rest. For perfectly tender-crisp broccoli, steam florets for 4-5 minutes until vibrant green and slightly firm, ensuring optimal texture and nutrient retention for your sesame chicken meal.

Achieving perfectly cooked rice and broccoli is simple with these precise methods:

• • Fluffy Jasmine Rice:
  • – Rinse: For 250g of jasmine rice (enough for 2-3 servings), rinse thoroughly under cold running water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch, preventing stickiness.
  • – Ratio: Combine the rinsed rice with 375ml of cold water (a 1:1.5 rice-to-water ratio) in a saucepan with a tight-fitting lid. Add ½ teaspoon of salt.
  • – Cook: Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to the lowest setting, cover tightly, and cook undisturbed for precisely 18 minutes.
  • – Rest: Remove from heat and let it rest, still covered, for 10 minutes. This allows the steam to redistribute, ensuring perfectly fluffy grains. Fluff with a fork before serving.
• • Tender-Crisp Broccoli:
  • – Prepare: Cut one large head of broccoli into uniform florets (approximately 2.5-3cm).
  • – Steam: Place the florets in a steamer basket over approximately 2-3 cm of simmering water. Cover and steam for 4-5 minutes. The broccoli should be vibrant green and slightly firm when pierced with a fork, retaining a pleasant bite. Overcooked broccoli turns dull and mushy, losing its appeal and nutritional value.
  • – Season: A sprinkle of sea salt and a drizzle of the sesame chicken sauce can further enhance the broccoli’s flavour.

These simple yet precise steps guarantee delicious and perfectly prepared accompaniments for your exquisite honey sesame chicken, making every meal a delightful experience.

How Can We Prepare a Healthier Version of Sesame Chicken Using Baking Instead of Deep Frying?

A healthier and equally delicious sesame chicken can be prepared by baking the chicken at 200°C (180°C fan) for 20-25 minutes until golden and crisp, significantly reducing fat content while maintaining a delightful texture suitable for sauce absorption.

For those seeking a lighter, yet equally satisfying, rendition of sesame chicken, baking offers a fantastic alternative to traditional deep frying. This method significantly reduces the fat content without compromising on the delightful crispiness that makes this dish so appealing. By optimising the baking process, you can achieve a golden, tender-crisp exterior that still perfectly soaks up the luscious honey sesame chicken glaze.

The key to successful baked battered chicken lies in preparing the chicken correctly and using the right oven temperature. After coating the chicken pieces in the cornflour-based batter, arrange them in a single layer on a wire rack set over a baking tray. This allows air to circulate around all sides of the chicken, promoting even cooking and crisping. Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/Gas Mark 6). Bake for an initial 15-20 minutes. Then, gently flip the chicken pieces and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F). This method yields chicken that is wonderfully tender on the inside and satisfyingly crisp on the outside, creating a truly guilt-free indulgence.

What are the nutritional benefits of baking crispy sesame chicken?

Baking crispy sesame chicken offers significant nutritional benefits, primarily through reducing overall fat and calorie content by up to 50% compared to deep frying, while retaining vital protein and essential nutrients, contributing to a healthier and equally satisfying meal.

Choosing to bake your sesame chicken instead of deep frying provides considerable nutritional advantages, aligning perfectly with modern health-conscious eating habits in the UK.

• • Reduced Fat and Calories: The most significant benefit is the dramatic reduction in added fats. Deep frying can introduce hundreds of extra calories and grams of saturated and unhealthy fats from the cooking oil. Baking requires only a minimal amount of oil (often just a light spray) to achieve crispiness, potentially cutting the fat content by up to 50-70% per serving. For example, a 100g serving of deep-fried chicken can contain around 250-300 calories and 15-20g of fat, whereas the baked equivalent might be 150-200 calories and 5-10g of fat.
• • Preserved Nutrients: While both methods cook the chicken, baking tends to preserve more of the chicken’s natural nutrients, particularly water-soluble vitamins, which can sometimes leach into frying oil. Chicken itself is a fantastic source of lean protein, essential amino acids, and B vitamins (Niacin, B6, B12), crucial for energy metabolism and nervous system health.
• • Digestibility: Baked dishes are generally lighter on the digestive system compared to their fried counterparts, leading to a more comfortable post-meal feeling without the heaviness associated with excessive oil.

By opting for baking, you’re not just making a healthier choice; you’re creating a sweet chicken dish that provides sustained energy and contributes positively to your overall well-being, while still delivering an incredible flavour experience.

What specific steps ensure baked chicken remains succulent and flavourful?

To ensure baked sesame chicken remains succulent and flavourful, ensure uniform chicken pieces, use a cornflour-heavy coating, bake on a wire rack at 200°C (fan 180°C) for precise timings, and coat immediately with the warm glaze, maintaining tenderness and maximising flavour absorption.

Achieving succulent and flavourful baked sesame chicken requires a few deliberate steps that maximise moisture retention and flavour development:

1. Uniform Chicken Pieces: Begin by cutting your chicken breast or thigh (approximately 500g) into uniform 2.5cm cubes. This ensures even cooking, preventing smaller pieces from drying out while larger ones cook.
2. Optimal Coating: The cornflour-heavy batter (as detailed previously) is crucial. It creates a thin, crisp crust that seals in moisture during baking. Ensure each piece is thoroughly coated.
3. Preheat Oven to High Heat: A hot oven, specifically 200°C (180°C fan/Gas Mark 6), is essential for quick cooking and crisping the exterior without overcooking the interior.
4. Use a Wire Rack: Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer on a wire rack placed over a baking tray. This allows hot air to circulate all around the chicken, resulting in a consistently crispy exterior. Lining the tray with baking parchment makes cleanup easier.
5. Precise Baking Time: Bake for an initial 15-20 minutes. Then, carefully flip each piece of battered chicken and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until golden brown and a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 74°C (165°F). This two-stage baking ensures even browning and thorough cooking without drying.
6. Immediate Glazing: As soon as the chicken is out of the oven, toss it immediately with the warm honey sesame chicken glaze. The residual heat from the chicken helps the glaze adhere beautifully, creating that signature sticky coating while preventing the chicken from becoming tough.

By following these precise steps, you will consistently achieve a baked crispy sesame chicken that is tender, juicy, and bursting with flavour, proving that healthier can indeed be just as delicious as traditional methods.

What Are the Step-by-Step Instructions for Crafting Your Own Sesame Chicken Masterpiece?

Crafting your sesame chicken masterpiece involves precise preparation of chicken and a rich honey sesame chicken glaze, followed by baking or frying for optimal crispiness, and finally, a delightful toss to coat every piece in the irresistible sticky sauce, ensuring a truly superior homemade result.

Here, the experts at evilchefmom provide you with the comprehensive, step-by-step guide to create a sticky honey sesame chicken that will impress even the most discerning palates. This recipe is designed for clarity, precision, and guaranteed deliciousness, bringing that coveted takeout style chicken experience to your home.

What ingredients are essential for this premium honey sesame chicken?

The essential ingredients for this premium honey sesame chicken include chicken breast or thighs, a precise flour and cornflour blend for the batter, and a rich sauce made from soy sauce, runny honey, rice vinegar, fresh aromatics like ginger and garlic, and toasted sesame oil for that distinct nutty finish.

To prepare this exceptional sesame chicken, gather the following high-quality ingredients, ensuring you have everything ready for a seamless cooking experience. All measurements are suitable for serving 4-6 people.

How do we prepare the chicken for optimal crispiness and flavour absorption?

For optimal crispiness and flavour absorption, prepare the chicken by cutting it into uniform 2.5cm pieces, patting dry, then coating it in a seasoned plain flour dredge, followed by an egg wash, and a final generous dredge in a cornflour-heavy blend, ensuring each piece is evenly coated for a superior battered chicken outcome.

Proper chicken preparation is paramount to achieving that coveted crispy texture and ensuring optimal flavour absorption for your sesame chicken. Follow these steps meticulously:

1. Prepare Chicken: Cut 700g of boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs into uniform 2.5cm (1-inch) cubes. Uniformity ensures even cooking. Pat the chicken pieces thoroughly dry with kitchen paper. Excess moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
2. First Dredge (Seasoned Flour): In a shallow dish, combine 50g plain flour with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. Toss the chicken pieces in this mixture, ensuring they are lightly coated. Shake off any excess. This initial coating provides a dry surface for the egg to adhere to.
3. Egg Wash: In a second shallow dish, whisk 1 large egg until smooth. Dip each flour-dusted chicken piece into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. The egg acts as a crucial binding agent for the final coating.
4. Second Dredge (Crispy Coating): In a third shallow dish, combine 150g cornflour and the remaining 50g plain flour (for a total of 200g coating mixture). Dredge the egg-coated chicken pieces thoroughly in this cornflour-heavy blend, pressing gently to ensure a thick, even layer. This is the key to that delightful crispiness. Place the coated chicken on a clean plate or tray, ensuring pieces are not touching.

This meticulous three-step coating process results in perfectly prepped battered chicken, ready for cooking to achieve a golden, crispy exterior that will wonderfully absorb the rich sweet chicken glaze.

What is the precise cooking process for a consistently delicious outcome?

The precise cooking process for consistently delicious sesame chicken involves either carefully deep-frying at 175°C for 5-7 minutes until golden, or baking at 200°C (fan 180°C) for 20-25 minutes, followed by simmering the sticky asian chicken glaze to a perfect consistency, ensuring tender chicken and rich flavour.

Executing the cooking process with precision ensures your sesame chicken is consistently delicious.

Cooking the Chicken (Choose your preferred method):

1. Option 1: Deep Frying (Traditional Method)
   • – Heat about 500ml of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or wok to 175°C (350°F). Use a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
   • – Fry the battered chicken in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding lowers oil temperature, resulting in greasy chicken. Fry each batch for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 74°C / 165°F).
   • – Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack set over kitchen paper to remove excess oil.
2. Option 2: Baking (Healthier Alternative)
   • – Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan/Gas Mark 6). Line a baking tray with baking parchment and place a wire rack on top. Lightly spray the rack with cooking oil.
   • – Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer on the wire rack, ensuring they do not touch. Lightly spray the top of the chicken with cooking oil.
   • – Bake for 15-20 minutes, then flip the chicken pieces and continue baking for another 5-10 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 74°C / 165°F).

Crafting the Glaze:

3. Prepare Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tbsp cornflour and 2 tbsp cold water until smooth. Set aside.
4. Combine Sauce Ingredients: In a medium saucepan or wok, combine the 120ml soy sauce, 100ml honey, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld flavours.
5. Thicken Glaze: While whisking continuously, slowly pour the cornflour slurry into the simmering sauce. Continue to whisk gently for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy and sticky, coating the back of a spoon beautifully.
6. Add Sesame Oil: Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil. This preserves its delicate aroma and adds a crucial layer of nutty flavour to your sticky asian chicken.

This meticulous approach ensures every component of your sesame chicken is cooked to perfection, setting the stage for an unforgettable meal.

How should the final dish be assembled and garnished for serving?

The final sesame chicken dish should be assembled by tossing the freshly cooked chicken immediately with the warm, sticky glaze until thoroughly coated, then garnished with toasted sesame seeds and sliced spring onions, and served alongside fluffy jasmine rice and vibrant steamed broccoli for a complete and visually appealing meal.

The presentation and final assembly of your honey sesame chicken are crucial for enhancing the dining experience. A beautifully plated dish not only looks appealing but also signals the care and attention invested in its creation.

7. Combine Chicken and Glaze: Immediately after the chicken is cooked and drained, transfer it to the saucepan with the warm sticky asian chicken glaze. Toss gently but thoroughly, ensuring every piece of battered chicken is glistening with the rich, sweet sauce. The warmth of the chicken helps the glaze cling perfectly.
8. Garnish for Flavour and Appeal: Transfer the glazed sesame chicken to a serving platter. Generously sprinkle 1 tablespoon of freshly toasted sesame seeds over the top. The warmth of the chicken will slightly toast them further, releasing their aromatic oils. Then, scatter the sliced spring onions (2 spring onions, green parts only, finely sliced) for a burst of fresh colour and a mild oniony crunch.
9. Serve with Accompaniments: Serve your magnificent sweet chicken immediately alongside bowls of fluffy jasmine rice and vibrant steamed broccoli. The combination provides a perfect balance of textures, flavours, and nutritional components, creating a truly complete and satisfying meal.

This careful assembly ensures that each element of the dish contributes to a harmonious and delightful eating experience, transforming your kitchen into a hub of culinary excellence, and making this takeout style chicken recipe a favourite to share and save.

In conclusion, mastering this sesame chicken recipe provides you with the ultimate culinary triumph – a dish that not only rivals but surpasses the quality of your favourite takeaway. The journey from selecting fresh ingredients to achieving that perfect crispy batter and luscious, sticky honey sesame chicken glaze is incredibly rewarding. By following the detailed guidance from the experts at evilchefmom, you are empowered to create a healthier, more flavourful, and economically sensible meal that your family and friends will undoubtedly adore. Enjoy the confidence and satisfaction of preparing an exceptional crispy sesame chicken, perfect for any occasion and destined to become a cherished recipe in your culinary repertoire.