Quick and Easy Sesame Chicken (or Fish)
When your Saturday is longer than you like, weekend dinner has to be simple, flavorful, and impressive. This recipe fits all those checkboxes. I made very minimal changes to the recipe, which by my standards is rare. It does indeed get done very quickly and tastes like a good Sesame Chicken or Fish depending on you protein preferences. In my house as you know that no one can agree on anything. So chicken for my son and fish for my daughter. And if you read through you will see how this is done and a few things here and there.
My Sesame Chicken Story
I have never used dry cornstarch like this before. The result is pure genius. You get a lovely crispy crust on your chicken. I also tried baking and air-frying small amounts of the fish and chicken. So, I really do not think the baking works well. The air-frying works well especially for the fish however unless you have a large air-fryer you will need to do this in batches. You will not need to attend to it, but you do not necessarily save a lot of oil. So, it is up to you entirely what you want to do. I have given you the air-frying option in the notes. By the way, here is a different take on Sesame chicken that sweet and just a little spicy.
For the fish variation, I used chunks of cod. This gets done quickly and results in a lighter tasting affair. Today I was tied up with a few volunteer assignments. I have managed to get quite involved with quite a few things in the past few weeks. The net result is keeping me very busy. Part of this is by design. I really feel anxious in these crazy times when I am not busy with things. At least, volunteering helps giving back and keeps me positively engaged. It is such a beautiful time of the year however I really am really missing doing something for Puja.
This is why, I will be posting a series of different recipes and meals that I am doing for different groups over the next few weeks for the holidays. And now to eat this amazing chicken/fish and maybe wind down with a rom com.
So, the meal on the white dish features the fish. Since, I ate them both, I think it is difficult to choose. I would say that the fish cooks quicker. And the secret ingredient in this dish is the Sriracha sauce. Do not skip it. It does something magical when combined with the honey.
An easy homey dish for sesame chicken or fish that gets done easily in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of broccoli florets (about 1 and 1/2 pounds)
- 1 medium sized carrot, peeled and sliced at an angle
- 3/4 cup of corn starch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Several grinds of black pepper
- 3 pounds of chicken thighs or white fish, cut into 1 inch cubes and dried well
- 1/3 cup of oil
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated garlic
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons sriracha or to taste
- 3 scallions, finely chopped
- Sesame seeds to garnish
Instructions
- Heat the water in a large pan (large enough to hold the broccoli and carrots) and add in the broccoli and the sliced carrots. Bring to a boil and boil for 4 minutes.
- In the meantime prepare a bowl with ice.
- Drain the vegetables in a colander and place over the ice.
- Mix the cornstarch with the salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken or fish in the cornstarch mixture and mix thoroughly to coat the coat the mixture.
- Find a large skillet. Ideally one that you can place your chicken or fish in a single layer while cooking. A good nonstick skillet works well.
- Place on the heat and add the oil and heat well for 2 minutes.
- Place the chicken or the fish in a single layer and cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes and turn and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. This should be long enough to allow a thick crust to form.
- In the meantime mix the ginger, garlic, honey, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and sriracha together with 1/3 cup water.
- Pour this mixture into the pan and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture thickens and coats the chicken or the fish.
- Turn off the heat and add in the broccoli and carrots and mix well.
- Add the scallions and sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve over rice or any grain of your choice.
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[…] is perfect with my sesame chicken or sweet and sour chicken just to name a few […]