Crispy Sesame Chicken

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 1/2 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Green onions, sliced (for garnish) Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• Sesame seeds (for garnish) Sesame seeds (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 1g
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, and Chinese five-spice powder. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch and sesame seeds together. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off, and coat each piece in the cornstarch-sesame seed mixture.
3. 3.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
4. 4.
   Season the crispy chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with sliced green onions and additional sesame seeds.
5. 5.
   Serve the Crispy Sesame Chicken hot with steamed rice or noodles.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Sesame seeds — Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat until they turn golden brown. This will enhance their nutty flavor and aroma.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade.
• To achieve maximum crispiness, make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the chicken.
• If you prefer a healthier alternative, you can bake the coated chicken in the oven at 200°C (400°F) for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Serving advice

Serve the Crispy Sesame Chicken with steamed rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce. Add a side of stir-fried vegetables for a complete and balanced meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Crispy Sesame Chicken on a platter, garnished with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The golden brown color of the chicken and the contrasting green garnish will make the dish visually appealing.