Honey Sesame Chicken

Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 2 servings

They say the first bite is with the eyes. If that's the case, then the orange-gold glaze of Honey Sesame Chicken has a first bite that can only be beaten by the second bite—actually tasting it! The sticky, tangy, sweet sauce that coats the savory chicken is gorgeous beyond compare, especially with the buttery, nutty notes of the sesame. Honey Sesame Chicken is a quick and crispy dinner that you can whip up in a flash. It only takes a few moments to make this masterpiece of taste!

Ingredients

For the frying batter:

• 1 egg white

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, sifted

• 1/4 cup cornstarch

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 cup water, ice cold

• 1 tablespoon oil, neutral-flavored

• salt, to taste

For the chicken:

• 1 pound chicken breast, boneless and cut into 1-inch cubes or long strips

• oil, for deep-frying

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

For the honey sesame sauce:

• 1/3 cup pure honey

• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

• 1/2 tablespoon ketchup

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 1/2 cup water

• 1 teaspoon salt

For serving:

• toasted sesame seeds, optional, to garnish

• rice, cooked, optional, for serving

Directions

Step 1: Whisk together the egg white, all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, baking powder, ice-cold water, oil, and salt to make the frying batter.

Step 2: Coat the chicken in the frying batter, and set aside.

Step 3: In a sauté pan, heat about 2 inches of oil on medium-high heat on the stove-top.

Step 4: Once the oil is shimmering, gently add the chicken into the pan in batches. Add pieces in one at a time and keep them in a single layer to prevent them from sticking together.

Step 5: Fry the chicken until golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Step 6: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chicken to a paper-towel-lined plate.

Step 7: Transfer 2 tablespoons of the frying oil to a separate wok or skillet. Heat the wok or skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 8: Once the oil in the wok or skillet is hot, sauté the garlic until aromatic, about 30 seconds.

Step 9: In a separate bowl, mix the honey, apple cider vinegar, ketchup, sesame oil, cornstarch, water, and salt to make the honey sesame sauce.

Step 10: Add the honey sesame sauce to the wok or skillet and bring to a light simmer, until it begins to thicken.

Step 11: Add the chicken to the wok or skillet and toss to coat it in the sauce.

Step 12: Plate the coated chicken and top with toasted sesame seeds.

Step 13: Serve hot with rice!