1.5lbsboneless skinless chicken breastscut into bite size pieces
¼cuptamari
3Tablespoonsrice wine vinegar
1cupchicken broth
½cupgranulated sugar
¼cupcornstarch + 2 teaspoons
2egg whitesbeaten
½cupavocado oil
4clovesgarlicminced
1teaspoonred pepper flakes
3Tablespoonssesame seeds
4-6green onionschopped
4cupscooked jasmine rice
Instructions
In a medium bowl combine sugar, tamari, rice wine vinegar and chicken broth. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, combine chicken pieces with the egg whites and cornstarch, stir until chicken is coated.
Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok until hot. Fry chicken until golden on both sides about 4-5 minutes depending how big your pieces are. You may need to work in batches. Once the chicken is cooked through remove and drain on paper towels.
Leaving a few tablespoons of oil in the wok reduce the heat to medium and saute the garlic and red pepper flakes for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
Add the tamari sauce mixture to the skillet and increase the heat to medium high. Simmer 10 minutes. then whisk in the remaining cornstarch. When the sauce has thickened add the chicken and toss to coat.
Whisk the remaining cornstarch into 2 tablespoons of water and add to the skillet. When the sauce has thickened add the chicken and toss to coat.
Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds, and serve over jasmine rice and broccoli if desired.
Notes
If you like your food extra spicy, like I do then, add an extra pinch or two of red pepper flakes and you’ll be golden.
Soy sauce can be substituted for the tamari here if you don’t need the Sesame Chicken sauce to be gluten free. I just happen to like the flavor the tamari brings to the sauce better.
The chicken is at its crispiest served hot right away. However, we all loved the way the leftovers tasted the next day as the sauce “marinates” the chicken. Don’t be afraid to make a LOT of chicken so you’ll have leftovers.
Use sugar in this recipe, please! Real granulated white sugar. Subbing sugar substitutes like stevia or agave nectar just won’t work here. There’s a time and a place for having some sugar in your dinner and Sesame Chicken is definitely it!