• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Southern Kissed logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Privacy Policy
×

Home » Recipes » Main Dishes » Sesame Chicken Recipe

Sesame Chicken Recipe

Published: Sep 14, 2020 · Modified: Oct 13, 2022 by Lynda · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

This recipe for Sesame Chicken will have you serving crispy, tender, sesame seed battered chicken nuggets anytime you crave it.

Sesame chicken draining on a paper towel.

My mother has made Sesame Chicken for as long as I can remember. I think she came across this recipe in the 1970’s and for our family is has definitely been a keeper.

While it might not be the same as what you get when you order Chinese takeout, this version still results in dish that is delicious. My mom always makes a homemade sauce to dip it in.

The accompanying sauce is a unique blend of sour from horseradish sauce and sweet from plum jelly. It sometimes helps to place those ingredients in a microwave container and “nuke” for 20-30 seconds to get the jelly to liquify a bit before mixing.

My mom would typically serve this dish with a vegetable on the side along with rice that had been cooked with a packet of onion soup mix.

🥘 Ingredients

There are two components to this dish – the tender fried chicken nuggets and a special dipping sauce. To make them, you need the following ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon Greek seasoning
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1-2 cups flour
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds
  • oil for frying

Sweet and Sour Sauce

  • 1 small jar of red plum jelly
  • 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons horseradish
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons mustard

🔪How To Make Sesame Chicken

To make the chicken, mix together the first 8 ingredients. Place it in an airtight container and add the desired amount of boneless chicken breasts that have been cut into bite-size pieces. Marinate for several hours or overnight.

Preheat oil over medium-high heat for 10 minutes in a large skillet.

Combine flour and sesame seeds. Drain the chicken breasts. Dip a few pieces of chicken at a time in the flour mixture and then deep fry until thoroughly cooked. Remove from the oil and place on a plate that has been lined with a paper towel. Salt to taste.

Small batch of fried sesame chicken nuggets.

For the sauce, mix together all ingredients. Serve over the chicken or use as a dip

Sesame Chicken, American Style

Sesame Chicken Recipe – crispy sesame seed battered chicken nuggets that are great with or without sauce.
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 26 minutes
Total Time: 36 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 427kcal
Author: Lynda

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Greek seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1-2 cups flour
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds
  • oil for frying

Sweet and Sour Sauce

  • 1 small jar red plum jelly
  • 1 ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 ½ tablespoons horseradish
  • 1 ½ tablespoons mustard

Instructions

  • Mix together first 8 ingredients. Place in an airtight container and add desired amount of boneless chicken breasts that have been cut into bite size pieces. Marinate several hours or overnight.
  • Preheat oil over medium-high heat for 10 minutes in a large skillet.
  • Combine flour and sesame seeds. Drain chicken breasts. Dip a few pieces of chicken at a time in the flour mixture.
  • Deep fry until thoroughly cooked. Remove from oil and place on a plate that has been lined with a paper towel. Salt to taste if desired.

Sauce

  • Mix together all ingredients. Serve over chicken or as a dip.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 2112mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g
Tried this Recipe? Share it Today!Mention @SouthernKissedBlog or tag #southernkissed!

This sesame chicken is not spicy on its own, so if you want some heat, you will need to dip it in a sauce. If you are gluten-sensitive, you could substitute gluten-free rice flour for the (wheat) flour. If you have any leftovers, they should keep in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Just reheat them in the microwave.

This dish is great with a side of green beans or broccoli along with some Minute Rice cooked according to directions PLUS a packet of onion soup mix.

Sesame Chicken Recipe

Curious as to which came first – the chicken or the egg? Head over to the Smithsonian Magazine and read the article 14 Fun Facts About Chicken and discover the answer to the age-old question.


Other Recipes You Might Like:

  • Brownie Sheet Cake – This dessert is a cross between a brownie and chocolate cake – kind of like the two got together and had a love child.
  • Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf – This is my go-to recipe for meatloaf. It’s topped with a sweet brown sugar glaze and is a great way to answer the proverbial question, “What’s for dinner?”
  • Southern Buttermilk Biscuits – With a handful of kitchen staples, you can whip up a batch of these biscuits and serve them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

What’s your favorite dipping sauce?

More Winner, Winner - Chicken Dinners!

  • Chick-Fil-A Nuggets Clone Recipe
  • Southern Cheesy Chicken Tetrazzini
  • Creamy Tuscan Chicken Soup
  • Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Sharing is caring!

793 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • Yummly

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Talk To Us Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Maria M Benetti says

    November 28, 2022 at 10:04 am

    5 stars
    I had this and I cant wait to have it again. I was so impressed with the flavor and the texture. You can combine with other sauces. Yummy

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      November 28, 2022 at 12:01 pm

      I am so glad you enjoy it. It’s a family favorite here!

      Reply
  2. Marcie W. says

    March 11, 2013 at 5:57 pm

    I would usually be overwhelmed by the thought of making sesame chicken at home but your recipe doesn’t seem as difficult as I would suspect.

    Reply
  3. April Golightly says

    March 10, 2013 at 8:41 pm

    I love sesame chicken and cannot wait to try it.

    Reply
  4. Anne - Mommy Has to Work says

    March 10, 2013 at 2:44 pm

    Yumm, I’m going to have to try this!!

    Reply
  5. Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says

    March 10, 2013 at 1:49 am

    Yum!I had no idea it was so easy!

    Reply
  6. Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says

    March 09, 2013 at 10:36 pm

    This looks crazy good.

    Reply
  7. Kathleen says

    March 09, 2013 at 10:17 pm

    Yum! I love sesame chicken!

    Reply
  8. Tricia Night Owl Mama says

    March 09, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    sounds so tasty we’ve been trying to do more with chicken

    Reply
  9. Stefani Tolson says

    March 09, 2013 at 12:45 am

    I made sesame chicken last night for the first time. Mine came out good but I want to try your recipe too!

    Reply
  10. Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says

    March 09, 2013 at 12:05 am

    That looks really good!

    Reply
  11. HilLesha @To the Motherhood says

    March 09, 2013 at 12:00 am

    This looks good!

    Reply
  12. Vanessa: the queen of swag ! says

    March 08, 2013 at 11:59 pm

    looks yummy. thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  13. Andy Grant says

    March 08, 2013 at 11:27 pm

    Makes my belly growl just reading about it. Must try soon!

    Reply
  14. Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy says

    March 08, 2013 at 9:07 pm

    Oh that sounds and looks delicious.

    Reply
  15. Mellisa says

    March 08, 2013 at 12:03 am

    Wow, this sounds amazing.

    Reply
  16. Mom Foodie says

    March 07, 2013 at 11:26 pm

    Interesting flavor combos. I think I’d like it.

    Reply
  17. Jenn says

    March 07, 2013 at 11:21 pm

    Where do you get Greek seasoning and what is in it?

    Reply
    • Lynda says

      March 08, 2013 at 10:15 am

      I buy it in the spice section. Salt, black pepper, garlic, MSG (oh my!), oregano, flavor base (?), sugar, onion powder, parsley….Looks like I need to figure out how to make my own version that is healthier.

      Reply
      • Judie says

        March 09, 2020 at 12:01 pm

        Please do! And thanks.
        Could I use P.F. Chang’s sesame sauce to dip??

        Reply
        • Lynda says

          March 10, 2020 at 6:10 am

          I don’t see why you couldn’t.

          Reply
  18. Katy says

    March 07, 2013 at 9:50 pm

    My kids love sesame chicken. I have to try this recipe. I don’t have Greek seasoning I’ll have to see if I can find some.

    Reply
  19. Meghan @JaMonkey says

    March 07, 2013 at 8:44 pm

    Yum!

    Reply
  20. courtney says

    March 07, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    yum! Love sesame chicken!

    Reply
  21. Maryann says

    March 07, 2013 at 3:40 pm

    that sounds delish.

    Reply
  22. Elaina- @atimeout4mommy says

    March 07, 2013 at 11:23 am

    yummy!

    Reply
  23. patti says

    March 07, 2013 at 10:31 am

    Looks delicious!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Lynda and Johnny statue

My name is Lynda and I am a recovering sugar addict and travel junkie. I'm also a mom of two children & 2 dogs, wife of 1....and a messy cook taking life one bite at a time.

More about me →

Christmas 🎄 Recipes

  • Cut Out Cookies Recipe
  • Easy Peppermint Sugar Cookies
  • Easy Hot Cocoa Dip
  • How To Make Cheese Balls
  • Easy Hashbrowns Casserole With Corn Flakes
  • Southern Homemade Peanut Brittle Recipe

See All Christmas Recipes

Popular Recipes

  • Quick and Easy Chicken and Dumplings Recipe
  • How To Make Alabama White Sauce
  • Paula Deen’s Ooey Gooey Butter Cake
  • The Best Brown Sugar Glazed Meatloaf Recipe

Footer

↑ back to top

ACCESSIBILITY POLICY

AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES.

COPYRIGHT © 2021 SOUTHERN KISSED