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Chicken with Sesame Seeds
Serves 4 Prep 10 min Cook 7 min Total 17 min Type Meal Origin Chinese

Chicken with Sesame Seeds

A Chinese-American sesame chicken: battered chicken cubes deep-fried crisp.

Serves 4 Prep 10 minutes Cook 7 minutes Units Rate

Overview

This is a version of the fragrant Sichuan dish popularly known as 'Strange taste chicken' or bang-bang chicken because it incorporates many flavours simultaneously, hot, spicy, sour, sweet, and salty all in perfect balance. The sesame seeds add a crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with tender chicken meat. Equally delicious served hot or at room temperature, making it ideal for entertaining.

Serves: 4 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 7 minutes

Ingredients

Chicken & Coating

  • 225 grams boneless chicken breasts (skinned)
  • 1 egg white
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cornflour
  • 150 ml groundnut oil

Sauce

  • 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cider (or black rice vinegar)
  • ½ teaspoon chilli bean sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons dry sherry (or rice wine)
  • ½ teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns (roasted and ground)
  • 2 teaspoons spring onions (chopped)

Topping

  • 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds

Method

Stage 1 - Prepare

  1. Cut the chicken breasts into fine shreds of about 6 cm long, or into chunks.
  2. Combine the chicken with the egg white, salt and cornflour in a small bowl.
  3. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes.

Stage 2 - Shallow-Fry

  1. Heat the oil in a wok or large frying pan until moderately hot.
  2. Add the chicken mixture and stir-fry quickly to keep it from sticking.
  3. Cook until the chicken turns white (about 1 minute for shreds, 3-4 minutes for chunks).
  4. Drain the chicken in a colander, reserving 1 tablespoon of the oil.

Stage 3 - Toast Sesame & Build Sauce

  1. Clean the wok and add the reserved oil.
  2. Re-heat the wok until hot and add the sesame seeds.
  3. Stir-fry the sesame seeds for 1 minute, or until slightly brown.
  4. Add all the sauce ingredients and bring to the boil.

Stage 4 - Combine & Serve

  1. Return the cooked chicken to the pan.
  2. Stir-fry the mixture for another 2 minutes, coating the pieces thoroughly with the sauce and sesame seeds.
  3. Serve at once or leave to cool and serve at room temperature.

Notes

  • Bang-bang chicken flavours: The name comes from the many contradictory flavours that somehow harmonize perfectly. No single element should dominate.
  • Sesame seed toasting: Essential step that develops nuttiness and fragrance. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  • Temperature versatility: The dish transforms when served cold, flavours meld and intensify. Prepare ahead for entertaining.
  • Sichuan peppercorn: Essential for the numbing, complex finish. Roast and grind fresh for maximum impact.

Serving

Serve with: Steamed rice if serving hot; or as a standalone dish at room temperature with crusty bread

Storage

  • Best served immediately or at room temperature within a few hours
  • Keeps 2-3 days refrigerated (flavour mellows and deepens)
  • Not recommended for freezing (coating texture deteriorates)

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