Skillet Sesame Chicken

By Spruce Eats Staff
Updated on 12/1/21
Sesame chicken
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
261 Calories
14g Fat
19g Carbs
14g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 261
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 19%
Saturated Fat 2g 12%
Cholesterol 72mg 24%
Sodium 921mg 40%
Total Carbohydrate 19g 7%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 14g
Vitamin C 1mg 6%
Calcium 141mg 11%
Iron 3mg 14%
Potassium 248mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

When you're craving Chinese food, you don't have to order takeout. This sesame chicken is easy to make and it's just as quick as having it delivered—only far fresher. A little bit salty, a little bit sweet, and a touch nutty, the chicken is cooked to a golden brown finish. Just add broccoli and rice, and dinner is served in 30 minutes, start-to-finish.

The beauty of this dish is that it takes only simple ingredients that are easy to stock. While the typical restaurant version is deep-fried, your skillet sesame chicken will use less oil.

1:26

Click Play to See This Easy Sesame Chicken Stir Fry Recipe Come Together

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar

  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 large egg

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil

  • 2 cups cooked rice, optional

  • 1 cup broccoli, steamed, optional

  • Sesame seeds, toasted, for garnish

  • Scallions, chopped, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for sesame chicken
    The Spruce

  2. To make the stir-fry sauce, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and garlic in a bowl.

    Sesame seeds
    The Spruce

  3. Next, in another bowl, whisk together the egg and cornstarch.

    Eggs
    The Spruce

  4. Add the chopped chicken breasts to the egg and cornstarch mixture and stir to coat.

    Add chopped chicken
    The Spruce

  5. Warm the sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

    Warm oil
    The Spruce 

  6. Add the coated chicken and stir-fry until it’s lightly browned and cooked through; then turn the heat down to medium-low.

    Add coated chicken
    The Spruce

  7. Give the sauce a quick stir and add it to the skillet with the chicken.

    Give sauce stir
    The Spruce

  8. Stir-fry for about 5 minutes, until the sauce evenly coats the chicken and is thickened.

    Sesame chicken
    The Spruce 

  9. Serve over rice with some steamed broccoli, additional toasted sesame seeds, and scallions for garnish.

    Serve over rice
    The Spruce

  10. Enjoy.

Recipe Variation

  • If you prefer, you can add steamed broccoli florets to the skillet just before you add the sauce and cook them with the sauce and chicken.

History of Sesame Seeds

Sesame seeds are everywhere, and you may not have stopped to wonder where they come from. They are actually an ancient oilseed that has been grown for over 3,000 years in Africa, Mesopotamia, India, and Asia. Historians believe it may be the oldest oilseed grown by humans. The plant is an annual that grows 2 to 3 feet tall and thrives even in dry climates. The seed grows in pods that look a lot like okra. The phrase "open sesame" comes from the fact that the pods burst open when ripe, releasing the seeds. The plants are harvested by hand and allowed to dry until the pods have all opened. The seeds are hulled, resulting in the tiny white seeds you are used to seeing. To bring out the best nutty flavor, the seeds are then toasted.