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crispy sesame chicken recipe

Crispy P.F. Chang's Copycat Sesame Chicken

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A homemade version of P.F. Chang's famous sesame chicken featuring crispy battered chicken pieces coated in a sweet and tangy glaze. This restaurant-quality dish combines crunchy texture with perfect sauce consistency and is ready in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless chicken cubed
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch plus ¼ cup for sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 4 tablespoons soy sauce divided
  • 1 tablespoon dry sherry
  • 2 tablespoons water plus ½ cup for sauce
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil plus more for frying
  • 1 dash sesame oil plus 2 tablespoons for sauce
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon chili paste
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds toasted
  • 4 cups white rice cooked, for serving

Equipment

  • Deep pan or wok
  • Medium bowl
  • Medium saucepan
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons soy sauce, dry sherry, 2 tablespoons water, 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, and a dash of sesame oil. Mix until smooth.
  3. Fold in cubed chicken until coated, cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
  4. For the sauce, combine chicken broth, sugar, vinegar, remaining soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, chili paste, and minced garlic in a medium saucepan.
  5. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Whisk together ¼ cup cornstarch and ½ cup water, then add to the simmering sauce, stirring constantly until thickened. Reduce heat and keep warm.
  6. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok to 375°F.
  7. Fry battered chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes.
  8. Drain on paper towels, then toss with warm sauce until coated.
  9. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and serve over cooked white rice.

Notes

For best results, use high-quality sesame oil as it defines the dish's flavor. The chili paste can be adjusted to taste. Rice wine or dry white wine can substitute for dry sherry. For a healthier version, try air frying or baking at 425°F instead of deep frying. The dish can be made gluten-free by using tamari instead of soy sauce and rice flour instead of all-purpose flour.

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