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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.
we made this dish twice now and the sauce is always too watery. it tastes great, but do you have a suggestion to fix this? we even doubled the recipe, but used less water and still too watery. i thought about adding cornstarch to help it congeal, but that seems wrong. lol. HELP!
btw, great site. great recipes ?
Hi Candace, if it’s too watery, it means you haven’t cooked it long enough. Lower your heat and simmer until the sauce reduces and the chicken is more tender. You will love it even more. Thanks for following my site! :)
I cooked the sesame oil chicken in the claypot. It turns well and tasty. One question : how to make the gravy stronger taste? Can anyone help ? Thank you.
Add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce.
Sesame oil chicken looks like delicious.Is it making too difficult? Can Anyone tell me?
I love this recipe so much. Expecting more and more new recipes.
Hi Sham, thanks for your comment, you can check out all my recipes here: https://rasamalaysia.com/recipe-index-gallery/
I love this recipe so much.Expecting more and more new recipe.
I just loved this 20-minute homemade chicken recipe. Would love to enjoy my with my family
Can you please state whether light or dark soya sauce when it has to be used. There is also Ketchup manis. Thanks
Soy sauce means regular soy sauce, or light soy sauce.
I added chopped garlic together with the ginger strips and ….wow!
Hi Will Japanese cooking sake be a suitable substitute for the chinese Wine?
Yes!
Is this mua-yu? i dont know how to spell it out but recipe like this in my family is called mua-yu.
Yes mua yu.