Skillet Sesame Chicken

By The Spruce

Updated 07/26/19

Sesame chicken
  • Total: 30 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 25 mins
  • Yield: 4 servings
Nutritional Guidelines (per serving)
1186 Calories
46g Fat
109g Carbs
79g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 servings
Amount per serving
Calories 1186
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 46g 59%
Saturated Fat 12g 58%
Cholesterol 261mg 87%
Sodium 1186mg 52%
Total Carbohydrate 109g 40%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Protein 79g
Calcium 172mg 13%
*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. Sesame oil has a similar nutritional content to olive oil. Both are low in saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat. Sesame oil is higher in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids than olive oil. Sesame seeds provide beneficial fiber and minerals.

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Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (toasted)
  • 2 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 large egg 
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 chicken breasts (cut into bite-size pieces)
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • Optional: 2 cups rice
  • Optional: 1 cup broccoli (steamed)
  • Garnish: more sesame seeds and scallions

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

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

    Warm oil
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  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 3000 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.