SESAME CHICKEN - EXCELLENT RECIPE

My wife is from Hong Kong and we usually cook Chinese food in our home. We have cooked sesame chicken many times and this recipe is really good if you follow it as it is. You can make any change if you like. As for the dark and light soy sauces they are bought at the Asian grocery store. I have not tried this recipe with only the soy sauce that is bought at the regular food stores but if you can not find the "dark" and "light" soy sauce I believe that this recipe will still work just fine.

If you do not wish to use the flour, cornstarch, baking soda or the baking powder you can just marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for a day. Then cook the chicken in the marinade and discard the marinade and continue with the recipe. This is just a little healthier. I prefer using the recipe just as it is.

2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds (optional)
3 whole boneless chicken breasts
MARINADE:
2 tablespoons light soy sauce (Asian Grocery Stores)
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon cooking wine or dry sherry
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
a few drops of sesame oil
SAUCE FOR SESAME CHICKEN:
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/8 cup vinegar
2 tbsp dark soy sauce (Asian Grocery stores)
2 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp chili paste, or more if desired
1 clove garlic (minced)
3 1/2 to 4 cups peanut oil or good oil (for deep-frying)
hot cooked rice (for serving)

Toast the sesame seeds and set aside.

Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes. Mix the marinade ingredients and marinate the chicken for 20 minutes. I usually let it marinate for 1 hour.

TO PREPARE THE SAUCE:
Mix together all of the sauce ingredients. Pour them into a small pot and bring to a boil, stirring continuously. Turn the heat down to low and keep warm while you are deep-frying the chicken.

TO DEEP-FRY THE CHICKEN:
Add the marinated chicken pieces a few at a time, and deep-fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remainder of the chicken.

Just before you are finished deep-frying, bring the sauce back up to a boil.

TO SERVE:
Place the chicken on a large platter and pour the sauce over. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve the Sesame Chicken with white rice. Enjoy!!!

Serves 4