If there is a chicken recipe that I constantly make at home, it would be this sesame oil chicken recipe.
Sesame oil chicken or 麻油鸡.
I make it at least once every few weeks, with lots of ginger and sesame oil.
It’s a homey dish that everyone enjoys.
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In Malaysia, sesame oil chicken or pork is often served to new mothers, during the confinement month after childbirth.
Chinese people believe that ginger and sesame oil are hearty ingredients that help strengthen and nourish the body of new mothers and will speed up recovery after childbirth.
This chicken is so delicious and takes only a few ingredients: ginger, sesame oil, chicken and soy sauce. Stew and braise the chicken, preferably in Chinese clay pot, and you will have the most amazing, aromatic, tender and utterly mouthwatering chicken for steamed rice.
The best thing about it is that it takes only 20 minutes to make.
Try it for dinner tonight, I will guarantee you that you will make it a dinner staple!
What Dishes to Serve with this Recipe?
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
How Many Calories Per Serving?
This recipe is only 165 calories per serving.
Sesame Oil Chicken Recipe
Sesame Oil Chicken (麻油鸡) recipe - This a really homey and humble chicken dish that is both delicious and easy to make. It takes only a few ingredients, and the great taste complements steamed white rice.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2-3 inches ginger knob, peeled and cut into thin strips
- 12 oz chicken, cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or Chinese rice wine
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 dashes ground white pepper
Directions
- 1
Heat up a skillet or wok over high heat and add the sesame oil. When the oil is fully heated, add the ginger strips and stir fry until light brown or aromatic. Add the chicken and stir fry for about 10-15 seconds before adding the soy sauce, wine, and ground white pepper. Add the water and do a few quick stirs. Cover the skillet or wok with the lid and turn the heat to low heat and let the chicken cook for about 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens and the meat becomes tender. Dish out and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
If the sauce dries up, add more water and cook until the chicken becomes tender. You may use bone-in chicken legs or thighs to make this dish. Just chop the chicken to pieces.
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Iris
Hi, use dark or light soy sauce ?
Rasa Malaysia
Soy sauce means light soy sauce.
Tan TC
Delicious and easy to cook. My children and husband gave me the ?
Rasa Malaysia
Awesome, yes so delicious!
Caitlin
If you wanted to add vegetables to this, what would you recommend?
Rasa Malaysia
Maybe mushrooms and scallions.
Michelle Quah
Spot on!!!!!! I made this today. Just the taste I absolutely loved and remembered. Finally woo hoo!!! Thank you!!!
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Michelle, thanks for trying this sesame oil chicken. Do try out more recipes on my site: https://rasamalaysia.com/recipe-index-gallery/
nadine
Made this tonight, the first recipe i tried off your website, one problem i found was the sauce was very watery and simply didnt thicken at all and i was starting to worry if i cook it any longer the chicken will become rubbery, so i added some corn starch and it was perfect. i like the simplicity of the recipe and the taste was good. although i didnt taste much of sesame taste…does it mean i heated the sesame oil too much? maybe i killed the sesame taste? i will definitely make this again. my fussy 2 year old finished her plate too
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Nadine, you can keep cooking until the sauce thickens, the chicken will be tender, not rubbery. The sesame taste is from the sesame oil. Did you use toasted sesame oil?
nadine
okay next time i will continue to cook it, should the sauce be kind of sticky? maybe i will try less water. the sesame oil i bought simply says Sesame oil. i will definitely make this again, my daughter ate the left overs. for lunch today and she usually hates chicken?
Rasa Malaysia
The sauce shouldn’t be sticky or starchy.
Juliana
This is a super easy and delicious recipe and we make this often. Was wondering if we can do this in an instant pot as well? Thanks!
Rasa Malaysia
Juliana, yes, I use Instant Pot to make it now. Just pressure cook for 8 minutes. :)
Mahy Elamin
OMG I can’t wait to try this chicken! I am always looking for new, healthy ways to prepare it, because we can’t eat cookies every night for dinner ?
Resep Masakan Rumahan
I made it last night and it was delicious! Thanks for the recipe Bee :)
Rasa Malaysia
Thanks!
Nigella
Just wondering if you’re aware that this recipe is linked from another site?
I followed a recipe on Pintrest, which took me to yummly.com, I clicked “read directions” and it brought me to this site, with a different recipe to what is on the yummly site, very very confusing I must say.
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Nigella, I am sorry for the confusion. I don’t know that Yummly used my photos on Pinterest and link to them!
Xuan Hui
How much many person can this recipe serve
Rasa Malaysia
3 people.
Sam
Hi. Can’t seem to find the Get Recipe Here button?
Rasa Malaysia
Hi Sam, so sorry that it didn’t work. It was a bug and we fixed it. Thanks for letting me know. :)
Pepe
Really nice! Thank you for sharing!!