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Featured image - Sweet & Spicy Sesame Chicken

Sweet & Spicy Sesame Chicken

Tammy Circeo
I'm a big fan of Sweet & Spicy Sesame Chicken. The slight sweetness is countered with a slight spiciness, and it all complements the chicken and broccoli so well!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound fresh broccoli cut into florets (See notes)
  • 1½ pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 2-inch cubes
  • salt to season
  • 2 Tablespoons corn starch
  • oil for the wok (See notes)

FOR THE SAUCE

  • ¼ cup water
  • 1 Tablespoon corn starch
  • ¼ cup coconut aminos You can use soy sauce or tamari if you wish.
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon chili-garlic paste Known as Sambal Oelek.
  • 1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped small

FOR SERVING

  • 2 Tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 3 green onions thinly sliced
  • 2 cups white rice rinsed
  • 3 cups water
  • salt to season

Instructions
 

COOK THE RICE

  • Rinse the rice thoroughly till the water is no longer cloudy. If you've thought ahead, it's a good idea to soak the rice for about 7 hours with a splash of apple cider vinegar. It makes it more digestible. If you've soaked it, rinse it again and put it in a saucepan with the water and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook till done.

MAKE THE SAUCE

  • After cutting the broccoli and chicken, mix the sauce by whisking the corn starch into the water first, then adding all the other ingredients. Stir to dissolve the sugar and honey, but don't worry too much about it incorporating fully as that will happen in the wok.

PULL THE DISH TOGETHER

  • Put the broccoli in the wok first with about a quarter cup of water. Cover and let steam for about 5 minutes or until the broccoli is a little soft, but still bright green. Remove it to a bowl and set aside.
  • Add oil to the wok, then add the chicken. Stir occasionally to brown all sides of the chicken. Cook through, about 8-10 minutes, then add the broccoli back to the wok and warm it.
  • Stir the sauce ingredients just before pouring them into the wok. Keep stirring all the ingredients together till the sauce thickens, up to 5 minutes. Remove to a serving dish.
  • Serve over rice and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.

Notes

No wok? No problem! Use a large skillet. 
If you don't care for broccoli, use celery or asparagus.
Keyword chicken, sesame chicken
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