Sesame Chicken from Pei Wei features tender, crispy chicken pieces coated in a sweet and savory sesame sauce, garnished with toasted sesame seeds and scallions, delivering a flavorful combination of crunchy texture and rich, tangy taste.
Equipments
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Tongs
- Saucepan
- Frying pan or wok
- Slotted spoon
- Plate lined with paper towels
- Baking sheet (optional, for draining)
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2-3 scallions
When preparing Sesame Chicken, ensure your chicken is cut into uniform pieces to guarantee even cooking and proper crispiness. Use a mix of cornstarch and all-purpose flour in the coating to achieve the perfect balance between crunch and tenderness. The sauce combines soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ketchup, and brown sugar, creating a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the sesame oil's nuttiness. Fresh minced garlic and ginger intensify the aroma and depth of the sauce, while toasted sesame seeds and scallions add a final touch of texture and brightness. Your homemade Sesame Chicken from Pei Wei copycat menu will impress with its authentic taste and satisfying crunch.
Instructions
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix cornstarch, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs with 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
- Dredge chicken pieces in egg mixture, then coat in flour mixture.
- Heat vegetable oil in frying pan or wok over medium-high heat for deep frying.
- Fry chicken pieces in batches until golden and cooked through.
- Remove and drain on plate lined with paper towels or on a baking sheet.
- In a saucepan, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and minced ginger.
- Bring sauce mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
- Mix 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 2 tablespoons water to make a slurry.
- Stir slurry into sauce, simmer until thickened.
- Add fried chicken pieces to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions.
- Serve immediately.
Substitution
Pei Wei's Sesame Chicken copycat recipe replicates the signature tender, crispy chicken pieces tossed in a sweet and savory sesame sauce, topped with toasted sesame seeds and scallions. If boneless chicken breast is unavailable, thighs provide juicier, more flavorful results. Cornstarch and all-purpose flour can be replaced with gluten-free flour blends for allergy accommodations. When frying, using a deep frying pan or wok with enough oil ensures even crispiness without overcrowding your pan. Your sauce thickening can be adjusted by varying cornstarch slurry amounts to get the desired glaze consistency.
Tips
Ensure the vegetable oil is hot enough before frying to achieve crispy chicken without absorbing excess oil; a temperature around 350degF (175degC) works best. Coat the chicken pieces thoroughly in both egg and flour mixtures to create a crunchy outer layer that holds the sauce well. When simmering the sauce, stir constantly after adding the cornstarch slurry to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, glossy finish. Enjoy your Sesame Chicken immediately to savor the perfect balance of crunchy texture and rich, tangy flavor.
Nutritions
Sesame Chicken from Pei Wei provides a balanced nutritional profile with lean protein from boneless chicken breast or thigh, supporting muscle maintenance and repair. The sweet and savory sauce, made with honey, brown sugar, and soy sauce, adds carbohydrates and sodium, which contribute to energy and flavor but should be consumed in moderation. Moderate use of vegetable oil for frying increases calorie content through fats, while sesame seeds add healthy fats and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. By preparing this dish at home, you can control ingredient quantities to better manage calories, sodium, and sugar to align with your dietary needs.
Storage
Store leftover Sesame Chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth. Consume refrigerated leftovers within 3-4 days and reheat thoroughly until steaming hot before serving. For longer storage, freeze the chicken in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag for up to 2 months, thawing in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Variation or Alternatives
You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts to achieve a juicier texture and richer flavor. For a gluten-free option, replace all-purpose flour with rice flour or a gluten-free blend in the coating mixture. Baking the chicken on a greased baking sheet at 425degF (220degC) for 15-20 minutes provides a lighter, less oily alternative to deep frying while maintaining crispiness. Adjust the sweetness by reducing the brown sugar and honey in the sauce if you prefer a less sweet, more tangy profile.
Allergies
Sesame Chicken from Pei Wei contains common allergens like soy sauce and sesame seeds, which can trigger reactions in individuals with soy or sesame allergies. The dish also includes wheat-based ingredients such as all-purpose flour, posing a risk for those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. If you have any food allergies, carefully review the ingredient list and consult with the restaurant to avoid potential allergic reactions.
Why this recipe?
Pei Wei's Sesame Chicken is renowned for its crispy, golden-battered chicken pieces perfectly coated in a savory-sweet sesame sauce, creating a balanced flavor profile that appeals to a wide audience. The dish combines tender chicken with a satisfying crunch and a subtle nutty aroma from toasted sesame seeds, making it a flavorful and addictive choice. Replicating this recipe allows you to enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home while customizing ingredients to your dietary preferences or spice tolerance. Mastering this popular menu item can elevate your cooking skills and impress family and friends with a classic Asian-inspired dish.