If you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make Chinese dish, look no further than sesame oil chicken. This traditional recipe is a favourite across China, and is known for its rich, savoury flavour that comes from the generous use of sesame oil.
To make Chinese sesame oil chicken, you'll need a few essential ingredients, including chicken, ginger, soy sauce, and of course, sesame oil. The preparation process involves marinating the chicken in a mixture of these ingredients for several hours to allow the flavours to fully infuse the meat. Once marinated, the chicken is then cooked in a wok or skillet until it's tender, juicy, and bursting with flavour.
Whether you're an experienced home cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this Chinese sesame oil chicken recipe is easy to follow and can be adapted to suit your tastes. So why not give it a try and impress your family and friends with this delicious and authentic Chinese dish?
Key Takeaways
- Chinese sesame oil chicken is a traditional and flavourful dish that's easy to make at home.
- The essential ingredients for this recipe include chicken, ginger, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
- Seafood can be added to this recipe to make it even more delicious, with options such as prawns, squid, or scallops.
Essential Ingredients
When it comes to making Chinese sesame oil chicken, there are a few essential ingredients that you will need to have on hand. These ingredients are what give the dish its unique flavour and aroma.
Choosing the Right Chicken
The first and most important ingredient is, of course, chicken. When choosing the right chicken for this dish, it is important to select fresh, high-quality chicken that is free-range and hormone-free. You can use either a whole chicken or chicken pieces, depending on your preference.
Sesame Oil Varieties
The second key ingredient is sesame oil. There are different varieties of sesame oil available in the market, such as toasted sesame oil and un-toasted sesame oil. Toasted sesame oil has a stronger flavour and aroma, while un-toasted sesame oil has a milder taste. You can use either variety for this recipe, but toasted sesame oil is recommended for a more authentic flavour.
Key Seasonings and Sauces
Apart from chicken and sesame oil, other essential ingredients include ginger, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame seeds, oyster sauce, sugar, and salt. Ginger adds a warm, spicy flavour to the dish, while soy sauce provides a savoury, umami taste. Shaoxing wine is a type of Chinese rice wine that adds depth of flavour to the dish. Sesame seeds are often used as a garnish and add a nutty flavour to the dish. Oyster sauce, sugar, and salt are used to balance the flavours and add sweetness and saltiness to the dish.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can also add seafood to this dish for a unique twist. Shrimp, scallops, or squid are all great options that pair well with the flavours of sesame oil and ginger. Simply add them to the dish during the last few minutes of cooking, and they will absorb all the delicious flavours of the sauce.
Preparation Techniques
Marinating the Chicken
Before you start cooking, you need to marinate the chicken to infuse it with flavour. For this recipe, you can use chicken thighs or chicken breasts. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and marinate them with oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine, cornflour, and ginger juice. You can also add some seafood like prawns or scallops to the marinade for an extra burst of flavour. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes to an hour.
Preparing the Sauce
The sauce is what makes this dish so delicious. To prepare it, you will need sesame oil, soy sauce, sugar, and white pepper. Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl and set it aside. You can also prepare a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce if you like your sesame oil chicken with a thicker sauce.
Cooking in a Wok or Skillet
To cook the sesame oil chicken, heat up a wok or skillet over high heat and add some sesame oil. Once the oil is hot, add some ginger strips and stir-fry until light brown or aromatic. Add the chicken and stir-fry for about 10-15 seconds before adding the sauce. If you're using seafood, add it at this point. Simmer the chicken and seafood in the sauce until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Serve with some steamed rice and enjoy!
Remember to adjust the seasonings to your liking. You can add more or less soy sauce, sugar, or white pepper depending on your preference. You can also experiment with different types of seafood like shrimp or squid to add more variety to this dish.
That's it for the preparation techniques section. Now that you know how to marinate the chicken, prepare the sauce, and cook in a wok or skillet, you're ready to make some delicious Chinese sesame oil chicken!
Cooking Process
Braising the Chicken
To start off your Chinese sesame oil chicken recipe, you will need to braise the chicken. This involves cooking the chicken in water until it is fully cooked. You can use any type of chicken for this recipe, but it is recommended to use bone-in chicken thighs for the best results.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the water and set it aside. Do not discard the water as it will be used later on in the recipe.
Achieving Tender and Juicy Meat
The next step in the cooking process is to achieve tender and juicy meat. This is done by marinating the chicken in a mixture of sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. You can also add some goji berries to the marinade for an added health boost.
After the chicken has marinated for at least 30 minutes, heat up some sesame oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the wok and cook until it is browned on both sides.
If you want to add some seafood to your sesame oil chicken recipe, you can use shrimp or scallops. Simply add them to the wok along with the chicken and cook until they are fully cooked.
Final Touches and Garnishing
The final step in the cooking process is to add the final touches and garnish your sesame oil chicken. To do this, add the reserved water from the braising process to the wok and bring it to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low and let the chicken simmer in the sauce for 10-15 minutes. This will allow the chicken to absorb all of the flavours from the sauce and become even more tender and juicy.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the wok and place it on a serving dish. Garnish with some toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for added flavour and presentation.
There you have it, a delicious and authentic Chinese sesame oil chicken recipe that is sure to impress your family and friends. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Accompaniments
To complete your Chinese sesame oil chicken dish, you can serve it with some steamed rice. The rice will absorb the flavourful sauce and add a pleasant texture to the dish. You can also serve the sesame oil chicken with some stir-fried bok choy, which will add a fresh and crunchy texture to the meal.
If you want to add some seafood to your sesame oil chicken, you can use prawns or scallops. Simply add them to the skillet or wok with the chicken and cook until they are pink and opaque. This will add a delicious seafood flavour to the dish.
Presentation Tips
To make your sesame oil chicken look even more appetising, you can garnish it with some chopped spring onions or coriander leaves. This will add a pop of colour to the dish and make it look more visually appealing.
You can also present the dish in a large serving bowl or platter, with the chicken arranged in the centre and the rice and bok choy arranged around the edges. This will create a beautiful presentation that is sure to impress your guests.
Overall, serving sesame oil chicken with steamed rice and bok choy is a classic combination that is sure to satisfy your taste buds. Don't be afraid to experiment with different seafood options or garnishes to make the dish your own.
Cultural Significance
Sesame oil chicken is a traditional Chinese dish that holds cultural significance, particularly for new mothers and during confinement month. 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. In Singapore and Malaysia, it is a common practice to prepare sesame oil chicken for new mothers during confinement month, which is a period of rest and recovery after giving birth.
Apart from its cultural significance, sesame oil chicken is also a popular Taiwanese dish that is enjoyed by many. It is made by cooking chicken with sesame oil, sliced ginger, and Chinese rice wine. Not to be confused with the popular Sesame Chicken dish served in Chinese Restaurants in America, this dish is savory and not sweet.
If you are looking to add some variety to your sesame oil chicken recipe, you could try adding seafood such as prawns or squid. The seafood will add a unique flavour and texture to the dish. When using seafood, it is important to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that it is cooked properly. For example, prawns should be cooked for around 2-3 minutes until they turn pink, while squid should be cooked for around 1-2 minutes until they turn opaque.
Overall, sesame oil chicken is a delicious and nutritious dish that holds cultural significance for many Chinese people. Whether you are a new mother or simply looking to try a new dish, sesame oil chicken is definitely worth a try.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the secret to a flavourful sesame oil chicken marinade?
The secret to a flavourful sesame oil chicken marinade is to use high-quality sesame oil and soy sauce. You can also add other ingredients such as ginger, garlic, scallions, and Chinese rice wine to enhance the flavour. For a more intense flavour, marinate the chicken overnight.
How do I make a simple sesame oil chicken in a claypot?
To make a simple sesame oil chicken in a claypot, you will need chicken, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, scallions, and Chinese rice wine. First, heat the claypot over medium heat and add sesame oil. Next, add ginger, garlic, and scallions, and sauté for a few minutes. Add the chicken and cook until browned. Add soy sauce and Chinese rice wine, cover the claypot, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
Can I prepare sesame oil chicken using a slow cooker, and if so, how?
Yes, you can prepare sesame oil chicken using a slow cooker. To do this, you will need chicken, sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, scallions, and Chinese rice wine. First, brown the chicken in a pan. Next, add the chicken and all the other ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
What are the key ingredients in a traditional sesame oil chicken soup?
The key ingredients in a traditional sesame oil chicken soup are chicken, sesame oil, ginger, scallions, and Chinese rice wine. You can also add other ingredients such as goji berries, red dates, and Chinese yam to enhance the flavour and nutrition of the soup.
What's the best way to incorporate potatoes into sesame oil chicken?
The best way to incorporate potatoes into sesame oil chicken is to cut them into small pieces and add them to the claypot or slow cooker with the other ingredients. You can also parboil the potatoes before adding them to the dish to reduce the cooking time.
How can I ensure my sesame oil chicken has an authentic Chinese taste?
To ensure your sesame oil chicken has an authentic Chinese taste, use high-quality ingredients such as sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, scallions, and Chinese rice wine. You can also use a claypot or slow cooker to cook the dish, as these are traditional Chinese cooking methods. If you want to add seafood to the dish, you can use shrimp or scallops, which pair well with the flavour of sesame oil and soy sauce.