Sweet and Sour Sesame Chicken

Sweet and sour sesame chicken is a popular dish that many people love. It combines crispy chicken pieces with a tangy and sweet sauce, topped with sesame seeds. This dish is a staple in many Chinese restaurants and is a favourite for takeaways. Its unique blend of flavours makes it a delightful choice for both children and adults.

The key to sweet and sour sesame chicken lies in its balance of flavours. The sweetness often comes from ingredients like sugar or honey, while the sourness usually comes from vinegar. This combination creates a mouth-watering sauce that coats the crispy chicken, making every bite a burst of flavour. The sesame seeds sprinkled on top add a nutty taste and a bit of crunch, enhancing the overall texture of the dish.

What to Serve with Sweet and Sour Sesame Chicken

Sweet and sour sesame chicken is a versatile dish that pairs well with various sides. Here are some suggestions to complete your meal:

1. Steamed Rice

Steamed rice is a classic side dish that goes perfectly with sweet and sour sesame chicken. The plain rice helps balance the strong flavours of the sauce and provides a soft texture that complements the crispy chicken. You can use white rice, jasmine rice, or even brown rice for a healthier option.

2. Fried Rice

If you want a bit more flavour, fried rice is an excellent choice. Vegetable fried rice or egg fried rice can add extra taste and variety to your meal. The combination of vegetables, eggs, and rice with the sweet and sour chicken creates a satisfying and complete dish.

3. Stir Fried Vegetables

A mix of colourful vegetables stir-fried with a bit of garlic and soy sauce can add freshness and crunch to your meal. Vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and carrots work well. This side dish not only enhances the meal’s nutritional value but also adds a vibrant touch to your plate.

4. Noodles

Noodles are another great option to serve with sweet and sour sesame chicken. Whether you choose lo mein or chow mein, the noodles will soak up the sauce nicely, adding a different texture to the meal. They are easy to prepare and complement the chicken perfectly.

5. Spring Rolls

For a complete Chinese-inspired meal, consider serving spring rolls as a starter or side dish. Vegetable or chicken spring rolls provide a crispy, flavourful addition that pairs well with the sweet and sour chicken. They are also fun to eat and can make your meal feel more special.

Sweet and sour sesame chicken is a delightful dish that can brighten up any meal. Its unique combination of flavours and textures makes it a favourite for many. By pairing it with the right side dishes, you can create a well-rounded and satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy. It can be for a family meal or a special occasion, sweet and sour sesame chicken is always a great choice.

Sweet and Sour Sesame Chicken

Sweet and sour sesame chicken is a delightful dish that combines crispy chicken pieces with a tangy and sweet sauce, topped with sesame seeds. This popular Chinese-inspired meal is perfect for both family dinners and special occasions.

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Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: Chicken, Eggs, Nuts, Stir Fry, Sweet and Sour Sesame Chicken, Vegetables

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Portions

Calories: 246kcal

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Ingredients

 

MetricImperial

Chicken Ingredients:

• 500 g chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tbsp cornflour
• 1 large egg free range beaten
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• 3 large spring onions scallions sliced
• 1 large red bell pepper sliced
• vegetable oil for frying
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Sauce Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 2 tbsp water

Instructions

• Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  500 g chicken breast, salt, pepper
• Add the egg to one shallow dish and beat well.
  1 large egg
• Add the cornflour to a second shallow dish.
  2 tbsp cornflour
• Dip each piece into the beaten egg, then coat with cornflour. Ensure each piece is evenly covered.
• Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat.
  vegetable oil
• Fry the chicken pieces until they are golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side.
• Remove the chicken and place it on a paper towel to drain excess oil.
• In the same pan, remove excess oil, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add the sliced red bell pepper and cook for about 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
  1 large red bell pepper
• Add the chopped spring onions and cook for an additional 2 minutes until they are tender.
  3 large spring onions
• In a separate pan, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar and ketchup.
  3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 3 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp ketchup
• Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
• Add the cornflour and water mixture to thicken the sauce, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
  1 tbsp cornflour, 2 tbsp water
• Add the fried chicken pieces, spring onions and bell pepper to the sauce, ensuring each piece is well coated and hot.
• Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top and mix gently.
  1 tbsp sesame seeds
• Serve immediately.

Notes

– Steamed Rice: A classic pairing that helps balance the strong flavours of the sauce.
– Fried Rice: Vegetable or egg fried rice adds extra taste and variety.
– Stir-Fried Vegetables: A mix of bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, and carrots for freshness and crunch.
– Noodles: Lo mein or chow mein noodles soak up the sauce nicely and add a different texture.
– Spring Rolls: Crispy vegetable or chicken spring rolls make a great starter or side dish.

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 986mg | Potassium: 539mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 144IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg