October 5, 2022

Sesame Chicken and Vegetable Bowls

Sesame Chicken and Vegetable Bowls are one of our favorite Chinese-inspired dishes. I start this recipe by deep-frying chicken breast chunks until they’re ultra-crispy. Next, I make a sweet caramel sauce and drizzle it on to the chicken. Then, I serve the chicken on top of rice along with carrots, cucumbers, radishes, and edamame. Finally, I sprinkle sesame seeds and scallions over everything. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make many of the components of this dish ahead of time. Secondly, I like that this dish reheats so well. The sesame chicken reheats quite well in the microwave. Thirdly, I like that this is a complete meal. When I make this dish, no side dishes are necessary. And, lastly, we all love the crispy chicken and light veggies.

The Equipment I Used

A Deep-Frying Thermometer- Use this to deep fry your chicken.

The Ingredients Needed for Sesame Chicken and Vegetable Bowls

Chicken- Use boneless chicken breasts or boneless thighs. I always use Bell and Evans chicken, because I find it to be the most tender.
Oil- Fry the chicken in vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. I always use vegetable oil.
Rice- I like to use rice as a bowl base, but you could also use noodles.
Ginger- Ground ginger is just fine; you don’t need to use fresh ginger for this.
Chicken Stock- I always use homemade chicken stock. But this recipe uses so little stock, that canned is probably fine.

How I Made my Sesame Chicken Bowls

First, I deep fried the chicken. Only add chicken to the oil, when it’s at the correct temperature. This is the key to perfectly fried chicken.
Next, I prepared all the veggies. Be sure to not overcook the carrots and edamame.
Finally, I assemble everything on the rice.

If you like Chinese-inspired recipes, you need to try these delicious Sesame Chicken and Vegetable Bowls.

Sesame Chicken and Vegetable Bowls

Super crispy deep-fried chicken breast chunks enveloped in a sweet caramel sauce. Served with rice, edamame, crisp radishes and cucumbers and stir-fried carrots.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 15

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Servings

Equipment

deep frying thermometer

Ingredients

For the Rice:

1 cup long grain white rice
1½ cups water
½ tsp. kosher salt

For the Crispy Sesame Chicken:

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut in half inch pieces
3 cups vegetable oil
1 egg
1 tsp. each sugar and kosher salt
⅛ tsp. black pepper
1 cup cornstarch
1 tbsp. sesame seeds

For the Caramel Sauce:

3 tbsp. vegetable oil
3 dried chilis or ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp. minced garlic
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ tsp. ground ginger
¼ cup chicken stock
1 tbsp. rice vinegar
¼ cup low salt soy sauce
1 tbsp. sesame oil
2 tsp. cornstarch mixed with 4 tsp. water

Garnishes:

1 tbsp. sesame seeds
¼ cup sliced scallions

For the Vegetables:

1 tsp. olive oil
2 cups thinly sliced carrots
1 tsp. each soy sauce and sugar
1 cup thinly sliced radishes
1 cup cucumbers, sliced
¼ tsp. kosher salt
1 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
1 tsp. sugar

For the Edamame:

2 cups frozen edamame

Instructions

Begin by making the rice: In a three quart saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the rice and salt and cover and simmer it for 16 minutes. Remove it from the stove and let it sit covered for 10 minutes or until the chicken is done.
While the rice cooks, make the Caramel Sauce: In a three- quart saucepan, heat the vegetable oil on medium heat and add the chilis, sugar, ginger, chicken stock, garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Bring to a boil and then add 2 tsp. cornstarch mixed with 4 tsp. of water and simmer until the sauce gets thick and syrupy about 5 minutes. Set aside.
Also make the edamame: Cook them according to the package directions. Cover to keep them warm.
Also, cook the carrots: In a skillet, heat the oil and cook the carrots with the soy sauce and sugar, on medium heat, for a few minutes, just until they're crisp tender. Cover to keep them warm.
Also, prepare the cucumbers and radishes: Sprinkle each with a quarter teaspoon of kosher salt and let sit ten minutes. Squeeze each dry. Stir in one tablespoon of rice wine vinegar and one teaspoon of sugar to each vegetable.
Also, fry the Crispy Orange Caramel Chicken: Start by heating one inch of vegetable oil in a deep pot, to 375°.
In a large bowl, beat the egg, sugar, and salt together. Stir in the chicken. Add the cornstarch and stir until all the chicken is coated.
When the oil is at 375°, fry the chicken pieces in three batches until the coating is starts to turn golden and crisp. Drain each batch on a wire rack. Then, refry all the chicken a second time, in 3 batches, until they are super crispy.
Meanwhile, reheat the sauce. When the chicken is all done, toss them with the sauce in a large bowl and sprinkle with the sesame seeds.
To serve: Put some rice in four bowls. Top the rice with some chicken and sauce. Also, add the edamame, cucumbers, carrots, and radishes. Sprinkle the bowls with the sesame seeds and scallions.