This Crispy Garlic Sesame Chicken is crunchy, sticky, sweet, savory, and packed with flavor. Bite-sized pieces of chicken are coated until extra crispy, then tossed in a glossy garlic sesame sauce made with soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, ketchup, honey, and sesame oil.

It is one of those recipes that tastes like a takeout favorite but is so easy to make at home. The chicken stays juicy inside, crisp on the outside, and the sauce clings beautifully to every piece. Finished with sesame seeds and green onions, this is the kind of recipe everyone will want more of.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy and flavorful
• Easy homemade takeout-style recipe
• Sweet, savory, and garlicky
• Great for lunch or dinner
• Delicious fried, air fried, or baked
• Perfect with rice or noodles

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 750 grams chicken breast, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp white pepper
• 1 tsp MSG, optional
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp baking powder, for extra crispiness
• 1 egg
• 1 cup cornstarch or cornflour
• Oil, for frying

For the Sauce

• 1 tbsp oil
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 -2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce (adjust according to how spicy the brand is and to your taste)
• 4–5 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 2 tsp honey
• 1–2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 1–2 tbsp sesame seeds

For Garnish

• 1–2 tsp sesame seeds
• Green onions

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, add the chicken cubes, soy sauce, salt, white pepper, MSG if using, garlic powder, onion powder, baking powder, and egg. Mix well so the chicken is evenly coated.

Let it sit for a little while so the seasoning gets into the chicken.

2. Coat the Chicken
Add the cornstarch or cornflour and mix until all the chicken pieces are well coated. The coating should cling well to the chicken and look slightly sticky.

3. Fry the Chicken
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat for frying. Fry the chicken in batches so the pan is not overcrowded.

Cook until the chicken is golden, crispy, and fully cooked through. Remove and place on a wire rack or paper towel.

For even more crispiness, you can fry the chicken a second time for 1–2 minutes after the first fry.

4. Make the Sauce
In a separate pan, heat 1 tbsp oil over low to medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant.

Add the soy sauce, sweet chilli sauce, ketchup, honey, sesame oil, vinegar, and sesame seeds. Mix well and let it simmer for a minute or two until the sauce becomes glossy and slightly thick.

5. Toss the Chicken in the Sauce
Add the fried chicken to the sauce and toss quickly until all the pieces are evenly coated.

6. Garnish and Serve
Transfer to a serving plate and top with sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Air Fryer and Oven Method

You can also make this recipe in the air fryer or oven if you do not want to deep fry it. The texture will be a little different, but it still turns out delicious with the sauce. Just cook the chicken until golden and fully cooked, then toss it in the sauce right before serving.

Air Fryer Method
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C. Lightly spray or brush the basket with oil.

Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Lightly spray the chicken with oil as well.

Air fry for 10–14 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden, crisp, and fully cooked.

Depending on your air fryer size, you may need to cook in batches.

Once done, toss the hot chicken in the prepared sauce and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

Oven Baked Method
Preheat the oven to 220°C and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Arrange the coated chicken pieces on the tray in a single layer. Lightly spray or drizzle with oil to help them crisp up.

Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly golden.

For extra color and crispiness, you can broil for the last 2–3 minutes.

Once baked, toss the chicken in the prepared sauce and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.

It pairs perfectly with:

• Steamed rice
• Noodles
• Fried rice
• Stir-fried vegetables
• Fries

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Can I use chicken thigh instead of chicken breast?
Yes, chicken thigh works really well and stays extra juicy.

Q. Is the baking powder necessary?
It helps make the coating crispier, so it is highly recommended.

Q. Can I skip the MSG?
Yes, but it adds extra savory flavor.

Q. Can I make it spicier?
Yes. You can add chilli flakes or a little hot sauce to the sauce.

Q. Why toss the chicken in the sauce at the end?
That helps keep the chicken crisp for as long as possible.