What You’ve Never Tasted: Garlic Sesame Chicken Secrets!

Garlic sesame chicken is one of those dishes that combines the best of savory and sweet flavors and has become a popular choice for both home-cooked meals and restaurant orders. The earthy, aromatic flavor of garlic compliments the deep, toasted flavor of sesame seeds, making this the ideal recipe for a weeknight meal or a holiday celebration.

It’s a simple recipe with just a handful of ingredients, and it will make for an unforgettable meal. Over rice or with sautéed vegetables, garlic sesame chicken will deliver.

Ingredients Overview:

The ingredients in this Garlic Sesame Chicken recipe play an important role in getting a great dish. Here’s why you need each one:

• Chicken breasts: The lean protein base that’s juicy and soaks up all of that delicious flavor.
• Garlic: Imparts a pungent and savory depth of flavor that’s indispensable here.
• Sesame oil: This oil is the main event! It lends the garlic sesame chicken its warm, nutty, subtly sweet flavor.
• Soy sauce: A deep umami flavor to impart a savory kick to the chicken.
• Honey: The honey provides just the right amount of sweetness to complement the saline flavor of the soy sauce.
• Sesame seeds: These add a satisfying crunch and another pop of sesame flavor to the dish.
• Cornstarch: Acts to thicken the sauce to perfectly coat the chicken.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Making Garlic Sesame Chicken is easier than you think! Just take these easy steps to have a homemade, yummy principal dish:

1. Make the chicken: Chicken breasts are diced into bite-sized pieces. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
2. Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon sesame oil over medium-high. Add the chicken and cook until browned and done, about 5-7 minutes. Take off the heat, remove from the pan, and set aside.
3. Make the garlic sesame sauce: In the same skillet, add one more tablespoon sesame oil. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes, or until fragrant. Just be careful not to burn the garlic.
4. Pour in the liquids: the soy sauce, honey, and a tablespoon of water. Stir well to combine.
5. Thicken the sauce: Mix cornstarch with one tablespoon of water in a small bowl. Add this mixture to the skillet and stir to thicken the sauce. Allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes or until it coats the back of a spoon.
6. Toss the chicken with the sauce: Add the chicken back to the skillet with the sauce, tossing it to coat every piece.
7. Add sesame seeds: Add sesame seeds to the chicken, and let them toast a minute or two in the pan.
8. Garnish and serve: Top with additional green onions and serve the chicken, sesame, and garlic on rice or with your preferred vegetables.

Serving Suggestions, Storage Suggestions, Tips, and Variations

 Serving Suggestions:

• For a hearty meal, serve the garlic sesame chicken over steamed white or brown rice.
• Serve with sautéed spinach, broccoli, or other vegetables to balance the flavors.
• You can also serve it with a side of crispy wontons or spring rolls for an Asian-inspired feast.

Storage Suggestions:

• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat the chicken in a skillet with a splash of water or broth so that the sauce doesn’t dry out.

Tips:

• For added flavor, before you cook the chicken, marinate it in soy sauce, garlic, and a drizzle of sesame oil for 30 minutes.
• For more spice, add red pepper flakes or chili paste to the sauce.

Variations:

• Chicken thighs: For a lighter, more flavorful dish, use chicken thighs.
• To make it vegetarian: substitute tofu or tempeh for the chicken to make a vegetarian version.
• To make this gluten-free, substitute tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce.

FAQs

1. Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

• You can use frozen chicken, but be sure to completely thaw and dry it thoroughly before cooking to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and the sauce doesn’t get watery.

2. How do you make garlic sesame chicken without sesame oil?

• The sesame oil is very specific—could I use olive oil instead? The flavor will be slightly different, though, without its nutty sesame background notes.

3. How do I thicken the sauce?

• If you want a thicker sauce, stir in a bit more cornstarch mixed with water and cook until thick, about 1 minute.

4. How can I make this recipe spicier?

• Yes! You could include some red pepper flakes, chili paste, and even some sriracha in the sauce to make it nice and hot.

This garlic sesame chicken recipe is flavorful & simple to prepare! The garlic is deliciously aromatic, and the sesame seeds add a hint of nuttiness, resulting in a savory dish that will leave everyone begging for more. Until then, give it a try and enjoy the robust, succulent flavors that are packed with every bite!