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Sesame Oil Chicken - The most aromatic and delicious braised chicken ever, with loads of sesame oil and ginger. A homey dinner in 20 mins.
Sesame Oil Chicken Recipe
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.
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!
Ingredients
- Chicken
- Ginger
- Sesame oil
- Shaoxing wine
- Soy sauce
- Water
- Ground white pepper
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
How To Make This Recipe
Step 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.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is only 174 calories per serving.
What To Serve With This Recipe
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Sesame Oil Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2-3 inches ginger knob, peeled and cut into thin strips
- 12 oz (350g) 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
Instructions
- 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.
Video
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.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe is easy and awesome! Thank you!
Thanks Yvette for your comment and 5 star rating! :)
Tried it this evening. It is super simple to make. And it’s delicious.
Hi Jane, yes! I make this on a weekly basis. :)
This almost forgotten sesame oil chicken recipes, In the 70’s that my mom alway cook and whole family love it, thank you very much…….
Hi. If i double the chicken meat, do i also need to double everything else? Thanks in advance.
Most likely but you probably don’t need double the soy sauce.
I love this recipe and it’s so simple and hearty for an easy week dinner. I probably make it every week and sometimes add some potatoes as well and it turns out very nicely. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe
Thanks for e easy and awesome recipe! My kids love this very much ?
Awesome!! Happy cooking.
I love this recipe, but I think it has too much water for my liking! Usually will take me more than 10 minutes to reduce 1/2 cup of water, and when cooking with lid off (it will smell so good that I always get impatient after 10 minutes :P). Please try this recipe as written first and then adjust to your preference.
For me, the sweet spot is 1/4 cup of water, then simmer with lid on – add more water if needed.