Sticky Sesame Chicken
Sticky Sesame Chicken is an irresistible blend of crispiness and succulence. The chicken thighs, tender and juicy, are wrapped in a golden, crunchy coating, accomplished through a meticulous dredging process involving cornstarch, egg wash and seasoned flour. Once fried, the pieces are tossed in a heavenly sauce made from a fusion of soy sauce, sweet chilli, honey, and a touch of sesame oil, lending a beautifully balanced sweet and savoury profile.
And while it is a modern favourite, it has roots that trace back to traditional Asian cuisine. The concept of coating and frying meat, then tossing it in a flavourful sauce, is a long-established cooking technique in many Asian cultures.
The use of soy sauce, sesame oil and other ingredients like garlic and ginger is deeply embedded in Chinese and Japanese culinary traditions. Dishes like General Tso's Chicken or Sesame Chicken, which were introduced to Western audiences through Chinese-American restaurants, share a culinary lineage with Sticky Sesame Chicken.
As Asian cuisine gained popularity worldwide, chefs began experimenting with traditional recipes, adding their own twists and catering to local tastes. The incorporation of ingredients like sweet chilli sauce and honey reflects this fusion of flavours.
The dish is visually striking, with the sticky, glistening sauce clinging to each piece of chicken, and is often garnished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped spring onions for added texture and flavour. The aroma alone, rich with the scents of garlic, soy and toasted sesame, is enough to make your mouth water. It's a perfect dish for those who crave a harmonious mix of textures and flavours, making it a standout choice for any meal.
Remove the bones from the chicken thighs, then cut them into smaller pieces.
Into one plate place the cornstarch, into another one a beaten egg with a pinch of salt, and in another plate mix flour, smoked paprika and a pinch of salt.
Drench the chicken first in cornstarch, then dip it in the egg wash and then in the flour.
Fry the chicken in hot oil for about 5 minutes, then place them on a kitchen towel to absorb the excess oil.
Add sesame oil, garlic powder, honey, sweet chilli sauce, ketchup, soy sauce and brown sugar into a saucepan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Toss the chicken in the sauce and cook for another minute.
Sticky Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
Instructions
- Remove the bones from the chicken thighs, then cut them into smaller pieces.
- Into one plate place the cornstarch, into another one a beaten egg with a pinch of salt, and in another plate mix flour, smoked paprika and a pinch of salt.
- Drench the chicken first in cornstarch, then dip it in the egg wash and then in the flour.
- Fry the chicken in hot oil for about 5 minutes, then place them on a kitchen towel to absorb the excess oil.
- Add sesame oil, garlic powder, honey, sweet chilli sauce, ketchup, soy sauce and brown sugar into a saucepan and cook for 2-3 minutes. Toss the chicken in the sauce and cook for another minute.
