Cheater Sesame Chicken: The Quick & Easy Takeout Hack
Craving takeout but don’t want to deal with deep frying?
This Cheater Sesame Chicken is here to save the day!
Ready in under 20 minutes,
it’s packed with all the bold, sweet, and savory flavors you love from sesame chicken.
No deep frying, no hassle, just quick and easy goodness!
Perfect for those busy nights when you need big flavor fast.
For Cheater Sesame Chicken
- Ground Chicken – This is the main protein in the dish. You can use ground chicken breast or thigh, depending on your preference for lean or more flavorful meat.
- Kosher Salt – Adds a simple base seasoning for the chicken.
- Garlic and Ginger – These fresh ingredients bring the vibrant flavor to the dish.
- Chili Garlic Sauce – Adds some heat and extra flavor complexity to the sauce.
- Brown Sugar – Sweetens the sauce and helps balance the savory elements.
- Low Sodium Soy Sauce – This is the salty, savory base for the sauce without the overpowering saltiness of regular soy sauce.
- Toasted Sesame Oil – Gives the dish its signature sesame flavor.
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth – Provides the liquid base for the sauce, adding richness and flavor.
- Cornstarch – Thickens the sauce for a nice coating on the chicken.
- Toasted Sesame Seeds – A finishing touch that adds crunch and nuttiness.
- Green Onions – For freshness and a bit of color.
Cheater Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil or refined coconut oil
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp grated ginger (or ginger paste)
- 1-2 tbsp chili garlic sauce
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup toasted sesame oil
- 1 ¼ cups low sodium chicken broth (plus an additional 1/4 cup, separated)
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 8 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a large skillet or cast iron pan with high sides, heat the sunflower or coconut oil over medium heat. Add the ground chicken, sprinkle with salt, and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until it's no longer pink and cooked through.
- Stir in the minced garlic and ginger, and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the chili garlic sauce and brown sugar to the pan and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring to combine.
- In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, and 1 1/4 cups chicken broth. Pour the mixture into the skillet with the chicken, and bring to a simmer.
- In a separate bowl, mix the remaining 1/4 cup chicken broth with the cornstarch until smooth. Pour this into the simmering chicken sauce, stirring quickly until it thickens. Let it simmer on medium-low heat for about 3 minutes, adding more chicken stock, 1 tablespoon at a time, if the sauce gets too thick.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the sesame seeds and green onions.
- Serve immediately over rice, on lettuce leaves, or chilled as a salad topping.
- Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken?
Absolutely! If you prefer ground turkey, it works just as well. You’ll still get that juicy texture and delicious flavor. It’s a great alternative if you’re looking for a leaner option, so feel free to swap it in!
- Why should I use low-sodium soy sauce and chicken broth?
Using low-sodium soy sauce and broth helps keep things from getting too salty while still providing that rich, savory base. But, if you’re out of the low-sodium versions, you can always adjust the salt to your taste—just don’t overdo it!
- How can I make the dish spicier?
Craving a bit more heat? Just throw in a bit more chili garlic sauce or some extra red pepper flakes! You can easily control the spice level to suit your tastes, so feel free to go wild with it if you like things spicy!
- Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! This sauce stores well in the fridge for a couple of days, so you can make it ahead and save time later. Just reheat it gently and pour it over the cooked chicken when you’re ready to serve.
- What are some other ways to serve this?
You can serve this Cheater Sesame Chicken over rice for a classic option, or if you’re feeling a bit lighter, try it in lettuce wraps. It’s also great on salads or in grain bowls for a quick lunch the next day!
