Sesame Chicken

Yield: 3 to 4 main dish servings or 5 to 6 as part of a multi-course meal

Ingredients

Chicken

• 3 whole boneless chicken breasts

Marinade

• 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon cooking wine or dry sherry a few drops sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil

Sauce

• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/8 cup vinegar (for a sweeter sauce use less vinegar)
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon chili paste, or more if desired
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Other

• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups peanut oil for deep-frying

Instructions

1. Cut the chicken into 1 inch cubes. Mix the marinade ingredients and marinate the chicken for 20 minutes.
2. To prepare the sauce: mix together all of the sauce ingredients. Pour them into a small pot and bring to a boil, stirring continuously. Turn the heat to low and keep warm while the chicken is deep frying.
3. To deep-fry the chicken: add the marinated chicken pieces a few at a time, and deep-fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining chicken.
4. Just before you are finished deep-frying, bring the sauce back to a boil.
5. Place the chicken on a large platter and pour the sauce over. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
6. Serve with rice.