Sweet Sesame Fried Chicken

Chinese takeout at home, anyone? I was always intimidated by this kind of thing because I didn’t think I’d be able to get it quite right. So, this recipe is a testament to just giving something a go. I researched a lot of recipes and this is an amalgamation of the nicest parts of about 6 different recipes. 

It really turned out deliciously, sweet and nutty and spicy and crunchy and overall damn delicious. And no MSG in sight!  OK it isn't the healthiest, but for a weekend treat I think deep frying is extremely justified.

Although the ingredients list might seem intimidating, they are all things which are easily sourced/cupboard staples, and a lot of the ingredients are repeated. There is quite a bit of preparation to this recipe, but once you have everything marinaded, chopped and mixed, it makes the actual cooking part a whole lot easier. I am awful for not prepping beforehand, so you'll find me frantically chopping a pepper while the onion burns in the pan because I don’t have enough hands to stir it.

Don’t be like me. Prep your vegetables before you start, and maybe read the recipe the whole way though beforehand too. Again, learn from my many mistakes.

serves 2 with plenty of leftovers

Ingredients for the marinade

• 3 chicken breasts, cut into slices
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp wine vinegar
• ½ tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp cornflour

Ingredients for the dry coating

• ¼ cup flour
• ¼ cup cornflour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• Sprinkling of pepper

Ingredients for the sauce

• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp cornflour

..And the rest

• 2 tsp veg oil
• Thumb of ginger, grated
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 chilli, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 pepper, sliced
• 300ml vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 scallion
• rice, to serve

Method

Begin by slicing the chicken, then place in a bowl and pour in all your marinade ingredients. Mix well and set aside.

Combine the dry coating ingredients in another bowl and set aside.

To prepare the sauce, mix together all the ingredients and stir until combined.

Place the oil in a griddle pan and heat to a medium high heat. Add the garlic, ginger and chilli and stir, then add in the onion and pepper and fry for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat the 300ml oil for frying the chicken.

Stir over the prepared sauce ingredients and cook for one minute more until thickened. Stir through half of the sesame seeds and turn the heat down.

Now it is time to fry the chicken, y’all! Take pieces of chicken and add them to the dry rub one at a time, then immediately place into the boiling oil and cook for 3-4 minutes . You could cook 4-5 at a time together, repeat the step with all the chicken.

Remove and briefly pat dry on some kitchen roll.

Place the fried chicken into the sweet sesame sauce and toss together to mix.

Dry..

Saucey!

Serve with rice, and top with the rest of the sesame seeds and some sliced scallions if you have them.