How to Make Crispy Sesame Chicken | Easy Sweet & Sour Recipe

Start by cutting the chicken breasts into strips.

In a mixing bowl, add the chicken strips along with the crushed garlic, salt, white pepper, sugar, chicken bouillon powder, oyster sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine, and olive oil.

Crack in one egg and mix everything together thoroughly. Use your hands or a spoon to coat the chicken well.

Add the cornstarch (about 3 heaping teaspoons) to thicken the marinade and create a batter-like consistency.

Let the chicken marinate in the fridge for 1-2 hours.

While the chicken is marinating, chop up the bell pepper, onion, and chili (if using) into strips. Set them aside for later.

In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and cornstarch.

Coat each marinated chicken strip evenly with the flour mixture. Make sure there’s no excess liquid left on the chicken.

Set the coated chicken strips aside to rest for a few minutes.

Heat oil in a pan or deep fryer to medium-high heat.

Once the oil is hot, start frying the chicken strips in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 1-2 minutes until they form a light golden crust. They don't need to be fully crispy yet, as we’ll refry them later.

Remove the chicken from the oil and let it rest while you prepare the sauce.

In a small saucepan, add 1 cup of water, white vinegar, sugar, chili sauce, and tomato sauce. Stir everything together and bring to a boil.

In a separate small bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to form a slurry.

Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the boiling sauce while stirring constantly. Let it cook until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

While the sauce is simmering, add the chicken strips back into the hot oil for a second fry. This will make the chicken extra crispy!

Fry for another 2-3 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown and super crispy. Remove the chicken from the oil and set it aside.

In the same pan, heat some olive oil and sauté the bell pepper, onion, and chili for about 2-3 minutes until they’re slightly tender but still vibrant.

Add the crispy chicken strips to the pan with the sautéed veggies.

Pour the sweet and sour sauce over the chicken and veggies. Toss everything together to coat the chicken well in the sauce.

Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for added crunch and flavor.

Serve your crispy sesame chicken with steamed rice or your favorite side dish.

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: