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Meat, East Asian

Sesame chicken with rice and broccoli

Sesame chicken with rice and broccoli is a sweet and savory Asian style dish with crispy fried chicken, serving 4, ready in 45 minutes, easy difficulty, for €3.10 per person. The key is draining the fried chicken well and tossing it in the sauce right before serving to keep it crispy.

Tonight it's crispy sesame chicken, coated in a glossy sweet and savory sauce, with rice and broccoli, don't worry, it's easy.

Sesame chicken with rice and broccoli
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.10
Calories per person
650 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall, Spring, Summer
The kids
They generally like it

Sesame chicken with rice is the kind of dish that checks every box on a weeknight. The cornstarch coated chicken bites turn golden and crispy when fried, then get covered in a sweet and savory sauce that clings just right. Steamed rice and broccoli round things out without any extra effort.

It's a great pick for kids, who tend to love the sweet sauce and the crunchy texture of the chicken. It works just as well for a quick weeknight meal as for a slightly more relaxed Sunday dinner, since everyone can serve themselves from the same dish. Toasting the sesame at the last minute adds a hazelnut note that makes a real difference.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Chicken breasts 600 g

Dairy

  • Egg 1

Pantry

  • Cornstarchoften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Soy sauceoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Honey 3 tbsp
  • Rice vinegar 2 tbsp
  • Ketchup 1 tbsp
  • Sesame seedsoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Frying oiloften in the pantry 20 cl
  • Riceoften in the pantry 300 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Broccoli 400 g
  • Garlic 2 cloves

Allergens Gluten, Soy, Eggs, Sesame

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces, dip them in the beaten egg, then roll them in the cornstarch.

    Press lightly so the cornstarch sticks well.

  2. Fry the pieces in hot oil until golden, then drain them. 10 min

    Fry in two batches so the oil temperature doesn't drop.

  3. Heat the soy sauce, honey, vinegar, ketchup and crushed garlic until it thickens. 5 min

    The sauce should coat the back of a spoon, not too thin, not too thick.

  4. Cook the rice and broccoli, one in salted water, the other steamed. 11 min

    Put the broccoli in a steamer basket over the rice to save time.

  5. Toss the chicken pieces in the sauce, sprinkle with toasted sesame and serve with the rice and broccoli.

    Toss at the last moment to keep the crispiness.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pat the chicken dry before dipping it in the egg, moisture stops the cornstarch from sticking and makes the fry less crispy.
  • Keep the oil at a steady temperature by frying in batches, otherwise the chicken soaks up too much oil and turns soft.
  • Make the sauce while the chicken fries, it should be ready to coat the pieces the moment they come out of the oil, so you can serve quickly.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken for firm tofu cut into cubes and coated the same way, for a vegetarian version that's just as crispy.
  • For a faster version, pan fry the chicken in a little oil instead of deep frying, it's less crispy but quicker to prepare.
  • For kids who don't love bold flavors, cut the ketchup to half a tablespoon and add a bit more honey for a milder sauce.

What to serve it with

  • Fresh chopped cilantro
  • A vinegared cucumber salad
  • Green tea or lemon water

Storage

The chicken and sauce keep for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container, stored separately from the rice and broccoli. Reheat the chicken in a pan or oven to bring back some crispiness, the microwave makes it soggy. The fried coating doesn't freeze well, it's best made fresh right before serving.

Questions about this dish

Can you prepare the chicken ahead of time?

You can cut and coat the chicken a few hours ahead, but it's best to fry it and toss it in the sauce right before serving to keep it crispy.

Can you bake the chicken instead of frying it?

Yes, arrange the coated pieces on an oiled baking sheet and bake at 200°C for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway, the result will be less crispy but simpler to make.

What kind of rice works best for this dish?

Plain white rice works perfectly, but you can also use basmati or sushi rice if you prefer a stickier texture.

How do you make the sauce less sweet?

Cut the honey by one tablespoon and add a splash more rice vinegar to balance it toward acidity.

How long does it take to make a sesame chicken with rice and broccoli?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a sesame chicken with rice and broccoli?

About 650 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a sesame chicken with rice and broccoli cost?

About €3.10 per serving, or €12.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, soy, eggs, sesame. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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