This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Jump to RecipeThis quick sesame chicken is my cheater’s version of the takeout favorite, and it is on the table in about 20 minutes. Instead of battering and deep frying, ground chicken is browned until crispy in a hot skillet, then tossed in a sticky, glossy sauce made with soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, garlic, ginger and a little chili garlic sauce. Finished with plenty of sesame seeds and green onions, it has all the sweet, savory, nutty flavor of classic sesame chicken with a fraction of the effort.
Serve it over rice with steamed broccoli for an easy weeknight dinner. For more homemade takeout, try my General Tso’s chicken with ramen, chicken and broccoli stir fry or firecracker ground chicken.
Why You Will Love This Quick Sesame Chicken
- 20 minutes. Faster than delivery.
- No deep frying. Ground chicken gets crispy right in the skillet.
- Sticky, glossy sauce. Sweet, savory and nutty.
- Budget friendly. Ground chicken is affordable.
- Great for meal prep. Reheats beautifully.
What Is Sesame Chicken?
Sesame chicken is a Chinese American dish of crispy, battered chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory soy based sauce and topped with toasted sesame seeds. It is closely related to General Tso’s chicken, but the sauce is usually sweeter, less spicy and features the nutty flavor of sesame oil.
Restaurant versions are deep fried, which is delicious but messy and time consuming. This cheater’s version captures the same flavors using ground chicken, which browns quickly and soaks up the sauce in every crumble, making it perfect for busy nights.
Ingredients You Will Need
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
For the chicken
- Ground chicken: works best for this quick version. Chopped chicken breast or thighs also work.
- Sunflower, avocado or coconut oil: for browning.
- Kosher salt.
- Garlic and fresh ginger: aromatic base.
For the sesame sauce
- Low sodium soy sauce: savory umami without too much salt.
- Brown sugar or honey: sweetness and stickiness.
- Toasted sesame oil: the signature nutty flavor.
- Rice vinegar: a touch of brightness.
- Chili garlic sauce: gentle heat. Sriracha works too.
- Chicken broth: the base of the sauce.
- Cornstarch: thickens the sauce into a glaze.
For serving
- Toasted sesame seeds, green onions, steamed rice and broccoli.
How to Make Quick Sesame Chicken
1. Mix the sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, rice vinegar, chili garlic sauce, broth and cornstarch until smooth.
2. Brown the chicken
Heat the oil in a large cast iron skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add the ground chicken, press it into an even layer with a spatula and season with salt. Let it cook without stirring for 3 to 4 minutes until the bottom is deep golden and crispy. Break it into bite sized pieces, flip and cook for another 3 minutes until cooked through to 165°F.
3. Add the aromatics
Push the chicken to the side, add the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir everything together.
4. Add the sauce
Give the sauce a quick stir and pour it into the pan. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce thickens and turns glossy, coating the chicken.
5. Finish and serve
Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve over rice with steamed broccoli.
Tips for Crispy, Sticky Sesame Chicken
- Do not stir too soon. Letting the chicken sit undisturbed creates crispy, golden edges.
- Use a hot pan. Medium high heat gives the best browning.
- Stir the sauce before adding. Cornstarch settles to the bottom.
- Toast the sesame seeds. Toast them in a dry pan for 2 to 3 minutes for extra nutty flavor.
- Use toasted sesame oil. Regular sesame oil lacks the deep aroma.
How to Toast Sesame Seeds
Toasted sesame seeds taste far nuttier and more aromatic than raw seeds, and toasting them takes only a few minutes. Add the seeds to a dry skillet over medium heat and stir or shake the pan frequently for 2 to 4 minutes, until they turn light golden and smell fragrant. Transfer them to a plate right away, since they can go from golden to burnt quickly. Mixing white and black sesame seeds looks beautiful on top of the chicken. Store extra toasted seeds in an airtight jar for up to a month.
Using Chicken Breast or Thighs Instead
If you prefer bite sized pieces like the restaurant version, cut 1 1/2 pounds of chicken breast or thighs into 1 inch cubes and toss them in 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with a pinch of salt. Pan fry them in 3 tablespoons of oil in a single layer for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden, crispy and cooked through to 165°F. Work in batches so the pan does not crowd.
Then continue with the aromatics and sauce as written. This version takes about 10 extra minutes but gives you crispy, saucy chicken nuggets without deep frying.
Is This Sesame Chicken Healthy?
This cheater’s version is much lighter than takeout sesame chicken because it skips the batter and deep frying. Ground chicken is a lean protein, and the sauce uses a modest amount of sugar and low sodium soy sauce. Each serving has about 360 calories and around 30 grams of protein before rice. To make it even lighter, reduce the brown sugar, serve it over cauliflower rice and add plenty of vegetables like broccoli, snap peas or bell peppers.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcrowding the pan. Use a large skillet so the chicken browns instead of steaming.
- Cooking on low heat. The chicken will turn gray instead of golden and crispy.
- Burning the garlic. Add it after the chicken browns and cook for just 30 seconds.
- Overcooking the sauce. Once thick and glossy, take it off the heat, or the sugar can burn.
Meal Prep Sesame Chicken Bowls
This recipe is perfect for weekly meal prep. Cook a batch of rice, steam a big tray of broccoli and divide everything into four containers with the sesame chicken. Add a few sliced cucumbers or shredded carrots for crunch, and keep extra sesame seeds and green onions in a small bag to sprinkle on after reheating. The sauce keeps the chicken moist, so it tastes just as good on day three as it does fresh from the pan.
Why Ground Chicken Works So Well
Ground chicken might not be the first thing you think of for sesame chicken, but it is the secret to making this dish so fast. Because it has so much surface area, it browns quickly and develops lots of crispy, caramelized bits in a hot pan. Those crispy edges give you the crunch you would normally get from batter and deep frying.
The small crumbles also soak up the sticky sesame sauce completely, so every bite is full of flavor. Ground chicken is usually a mix of white and dark meat, which keeps it juicy, but ground chicken breast works well if you want it leaner. There is no cutting, breading or frying, which means less mess and fewer dishes, and dinner is ready before the rice finishes cooking.
Variations
- Honey sesame: use honey instead of brown sugar.
- Spicy: add more chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes.
- Add vegetables: stir fry broccoli, bell peppers or snap peas before adding the sauce.
- Ground turkey: works just like ground chicken.
- Gluten free: use tamari or coconut aminos.
- Lettuce wraps: serve in butter lettuce cups.
What to Serve With Sesame Chicken
Serve it over steamed jasmine or brown rice, cauliflower rice or noodles with steamed broccoli on the side. Egg rolls, potstickers, edamame and cucumber salad also pair perfectly. For a takeout feast, add my better than takeout chicken fried rice.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: store in meal prep containers for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheating: reheat in a skillet with a splash of water, or microwave until hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breast?
Yes. Cube it, coat in cornstarch and pan fry until golden, then add the sauce.
How do I make the sauce thicker?
Simmer a minute longer or add another teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with water.
Is sesame chicken spicy?
It is mild. Add more chili garlic sauce for heat.
Can I make it gluten free?
Yes. Use tamari or coconut aminos.
Can I meal prep sesame chicken?
Yes. It keeps for 4 days and reheats well.
What is the difference between sesame and General Tso’s chicken?
Sesame chicken is sweeter and nuttier, while General Tso’s is tangier and spicier.
Final Thoughts
This quick sesame chicken delivers all the sticky, sweet and savory flavor of takeout in about 20 minutes, with no deep frying. It is an easy, affordable weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
Nutrition Per Serving
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 360 kcal |
| Protein | 30 g |
| Carbohydrates | 15 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 11 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Nutrition values are estimates calculated from standard ingredient data and will vary with the brands and exact amounts you use.
Quick Sesame Chicken (Cheater’s Version)
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk all the sauce ingredients together.
- Brown the ground chicken in oil over medium high heat without stirring 3 to 4 minutes, then break up and cook 3 minutes more until 165°F.
- Add the garlic and ginger for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the sauce and simmer 1 to 2 minutes until thick and glossy.
- Top with sesame seeds and green onions and serve over rice.
