This recipe for Sesame Chicken will have you serving crispy, tender, sesame seed battered chicken nuggets anytime you crave it.
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 and rice that had been cooked with a packet of onion soup mix.
How To Make Sesame Chicken
There are two components for this dish – the tender fried chicken nuggets and a special dipping sauce. To make them, you need the following ingredients:
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. soy sauce
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp. Greek seasoning
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. 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 tsp. lemon juice
- 1 ½ Tbsp. horseradish
- 1 ½ Tbsp. mustard
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.
For the sauce, mix together all ingredients. Serve over the chicken or use as a dip
Sesame Chicken, American Style
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. soy sauce
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp. Greek seasoning
- 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. 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 tsp. lemon juice
- 1 ½ Tbsp. horseradish
- 1 ½ Tbsp. 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.
Nutrition
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.
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?
Marcie W. says
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.
April Golightly says
I love sesame chicken and cannot wait to try it.
Anne - Mommy Has to Work says
Yumm, I’m going to have to try this!!
Emily @FamilyNLifeLV says
Yum!I had no idea it was so easy!
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
This looks crazy good.
Kathleen says
Yum! I love sesame chicken!
Tricia Night Owl Mama says
sounds so tasty we’ve been trying to do more with chicken
Stefani Tolson says
I made sesame chicken last night for the first time. Mine came out good but I want to try your recipe too!
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
That looks really good!
HilLesha @To the Motherhood says
This looks good!
Vanessa: the queen of swag ! says
looks yummy. thanks for sharing.
Andy Grant says
Makes my belly growl just reading about it. Must try soon!
Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy says
Oh that sounds and looks delicious.
Mellisa says
Wow, this sounds amazing.
Mom Foodie says
Interesting flavor combos. I think I’d like it.
Jenn says
Where do you get Greek seasoning and what is in it?
Lynda says
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.
Judie says
Please do! And thanks.
Could I use P.F. Chang’s sesame sauce to dip??
Lynda says
I don’t see why you couldn’t.
Katy says
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.
Meghan @JaMonkey says
Yum!
courtney says
yum! Love sesame chicken!
Maryann says
that sounds delish.
Elaina- @atimeout4mommy says
yummy!
patti says
Looks delicious!