Contents
- 1 The First Bite That Hooked Me
- 2 My Messy First Attempt
- 3 Why This Dish Shines
- 4 A Quick Dip Into History
- 5 Ingredients:
- 6 How to Make Quick Sweet-Spicy Sesame Chicken Bites
- 7 3 Fun Twists on This Recipe
- 8 Serving Ideas & Pairings
- 9 Keep It Fresh or Freeze It
- 10 Fix Common Hiccups
- 11 Your Questions, Answered
- 12 Let’s Dish!
- 13 Quick Sweet-Spicy Sesame Chicken Bites
The First Bite That Hooked Me
The smell hit me first—toasted sesame oil and honey sizzling in the pan. My friend handed me a crispy chicken bite, still glistening with sauce. One taste and I was sold. The sweet-spicy kick made my taste buds dance. Ever wondered how you could turn Quick Sweet-Spicy Sesame Chicken Bites into something unforgettable? Now I make them weekly. They’re perfect for busy nights or impressing guests. Try them once, and you’ll get it too.My Messy First Attempt
My first batch was… eventful. I forgot to heat the oil enough, so the chicken soaked it up. The sauce thickened too fast, turning into glue. But the flavor? Still amazing. Home cooking teaches patience—and that even “failures” can taste great. Now I double-check the oil temp every time. Share your first kitchen mishap below! What dish surprised you by turning out okay anyway?Why This Dish Shines
• The cornstarch coating makes the chicken extra crispy, even after saucing. • Sweet honey and spicy chili flakes balance perfectly—no one flavor overpowers. Which flavor combo surprises you most? Is it the soy-ketchup tang or the sesame oil depth? I’d love to hear your take. Pro tip: Toast the sesame seeds for extra nuttiness.A Quick Dip Into History
This dish twists classic Chinese sesame chicken, popular in U.S. takeout spots since the 1970s. The sticky-sweet sauce is a modern twist. *Did you know sesame oil was once used as medicine in ancient Asia?* Now it’s a flavor hero. Poll: Do you prefer your sesame chicken spicy or mild? Comment below!
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts | 1 ½ pounds | Cut into 1-inch pieces |
| Eggs | 2 | Beaten |
| Salt and pepper | To taste | |
| Flour | ⅓ cup | |
| Cornstarch | ⅓ cup | |
| Oil | As needed | For frying |
| Soy sauce | ¼ cup | |
| Honey | 3 Tablespoons | |
| Ketchup | 3 Tablespoons | |
| Brown sugar | 1 Tablespoon | |
| Rice vinegar | 2 Tablespoons | |
| Toasted sesame oil | 1 Tablespoon | |
| Cornstarch | 2 teaspoons | |
| Garlic powder | ½ teaspoon | |
| Red pepper or chili flakes | Pinch | |
| Sesame seeds | 1 Tablespoon | |
| Sliced green onions | As needed | For garnish |
How to Make Quick Sweet-Spicy Sesame Chicken Bites
Step 1 Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dip in beaten eggs, then coat with flour and cornstarch. Shake off extra powder. Repeat for all pieces. (Hard-learned tip: Let coated chicken sit 5 minutes for crispier bites.) Step 2 Heat oil to 350°F in a deep pan. Fry 7-8 pieces at a time for 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Keep oil hot for even cooking. Step 3 Mix soy sauce, honey, ketchup, and other sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Simmer 3-4 minutes until thickened. Stir often to avoid burning. Step 4 Toss fried chicken in the sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions on top. Serve hot for best flavor. What’s your go-to weeknight chicken dish? Share below! Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes Yield: 4 servings Category: Dinner, Appetizer3 Fun Twists on This Recipe
Honey-Lime Swap honey for lime juice and zest. Adds a tangy kick. Perfect for summer cookouts. Extra Spicy Double the chili flakes. Add a dash of sriracha. Fire lovers will crave it. Vegetarian Use tofu or cauliflower instead of chicken. Same crispy texture, plant-powered goodness. Which twist would you try first? Vote in the comments!Serving Ideas & Pairings
Serve over steamed rice or noodles. Add a side of stir-fried veggies. Garnish with extra green onions. Pair with iced green tea or a cold lager. Both balance the sweet-spicy flavors. Which would you choose tonight?
Keep It Fresh or Freeze It
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet to keep them crispy. For longer storage, freeze the bites before adding sauce. *Fun fact: My grandkids sneak these cold from the fridge!* Batch-cook the chicken, freeze it plain, and sauce it fresh later. Why this matters: Meal prep saves busy weeknights. Ever tried freezing saucy bites? How did they hold up?Fix Common Hiccups
Soggy coating? Let the chicken drain well on a rack, not just paper towels. Sauce too thin? Simmer it longer or add a pinch more cornstarch. Chicken sticking to the pan? Check oil heat—it should sizzle gently. Why this matters: Small tweaks make big flavor wins. Share your best kitchen save in the comments!Your Questions, Answered
Q: Gluten-free option? A: Swap flour for rice flour or gluten-free blend. Q: Can I make it ahead? A: Yes, but sauce separately to keep crunch. Q: Honey swap? A: Maple syrup works in a pinch. Q: Double the recipe? A: Do it! Just fry in batches. Q: Less spicy? A: Skip the chili flakes—kids will thank you. Which swap will you try first?Let’s Dish!
These bites disappear fast at my house. I’d love to see your twist! Tag Savory Discovery on Pinterest with your photos. Happy cooking! —Elowen Thorn.
Quick Sweet-Spicy Sesame Chicken Bites
Description
Experience the delightful contrast of sweet and spicy flavors with these crispy sesame chicken bites.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare chicken: Salt and pepper chicken, to taste. Add 2 eggs, and more salt and pepper in a bowl. Whisk to combine. In a separate shallow bowl or plate, add the 1/3 cup flour and 1/3 cup cornstarch. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then dip into the flour mixture and coat completely. Repeat with all the chicken pieces.
- Cook chicken in oil: Heat oil 3 inches deep in a pan to 350° F. Add 7-8 pieces of chicken into the oil. Cook for 5 minutes, until crispy and golden brown. Repeat the cooking with the remaining chicken.
- Drain Chicken: Drain cooked chicken on a paper towel.
- Prepare sauce: While the chicken is cooking, in a large saucepan combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 3 Tablespoons honey, 3 Tablespoons ketchup, 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 Tablespoon sesame oil, 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Combine the chicken with the sauce: Add the crispy chicken to the sauce and toss to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions, then serve.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double-fry the chicken bites. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes for desired spiciness.
Chicken, Sesame, Sweet, Spicy, Bites