Crispy Sesame Chicken

• chicken thigh fillets↗5

  (about 500g)

• light soy sauce↗1½ tbsp tbsp
• Shaoxing wine↗1 tbsp tbsp
• oyster sauce↗1 tbsp tbsp
• white pepper↗½ tsp tsp
• corn starch1½ tbsp tbsp
• egg↗1
• vegetable oil↗

  for deep frying

• green scallion↗½

  diagonal slices for garnish

• sesame seeds↗

  for garnish

• corn starch100g g
• plain flour↗100g g
• white pepper↗½ tsp tsp
• light soy sauce↗3 tbsp tbsp
• sesame oil↗2 tbsp tbsp
• коричневий цукор↗1 tsp
• рідкий мед↗1 tbsp
• кетчуп↗2½ tbsp
• часниковий зубчик↗1

  подрібнений

• імбир↗thumb-sized piece

  кусок розміром з великий палець, подрібнений

• кукурудзяний крохмаль1 tsp

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Cut the chicken thigh fillet into bite‑size pieces, then place them in a bowl with light soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, oyster sauce, white pepper, corn starch, egg and ½ tsp salt. Mix well, cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

2. 2

   To make the batter, combine corn starch, plain flour, white pepper and ½ tsp salt in a large bowl. Add the marinated chicken and stir until all pieces are evenly coated.

3. 3

   Pour 4‑5 cm of vegetable oil into a deep pot, ensuring it does not exceed one‑third of the pot’s height, and heat over high heat until a drop of batter sizzles when dropped. Reduce heat to medium and carefully add the chicken pieces in batches. Fry for 5 minutes until golden and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate lined with paper towels as you fry. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then reheat the oil and fry for another 1‑2 minutes to achieve maximum crispness. Transfer again to paper towels.

4. 4

   Prepare the sauce by combining light soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, honey, ketchup, garlic and ginger, along with 5 tbsp water in a saucepan over medium‑low heat. When the sauce boils, mix corn starch with 3 tbsp water, add to the saucepan and stir until the sauce thickens. Add the chicken and toss so each piece is coated with the sauce. Garnish with the green part of the scallion and sesame seeds before serving.