# Sesame chicken (from The Woks of Life)

Video: [Sesame Chicken - Our Perfected, Restaurant Recipe!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE) by [The Woks of Life](https://www.youtube.com/@Thewoksoflife1).
RecipesMD is not affiliated with The Woks of Life. Steps are paraphrased in our own words.
Status: machine-read from the video, not yet checked by a person.

- Serves: not stated
- Total time: not stated
- Ontario estimate*: ~$3.23 per serving, ~$9.68 for ~3 portions (assumed); saves ~$17.77* per serving (85%) vs ordering out (~$21.00*). * Estimate: 8 line(s) we couldn't price were filled with typical costs for their type; the video doesn't state how many it serves, so 3 portions were assumed; restaurant comparison is a typical Ontario meat entrée at ~$21, before delivery fees, tax and tip. Prices: Ontario averages (StatCan 2026-07) + RecipesMD estimates, pro-rated, staples excluded.

## Ingredients

- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon MSG
- 8 tablespoons water
- 3/4 cup hot chicken stock or water
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 1/2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon clear rice wine or Shaoxing wine
- 1 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 6 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

## Steps

1. [1:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=71s) Trim fat from the chicken thighs and chop into equal-sized bite-sized pieces.
2. [1:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=80s) Marinate the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, white pepper, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, MSG, and water. Mix well.
3. [3:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=190s) In a measuring cup, combine hot chicken stock, sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, Shaoxing wine, rice vinegar, ground white pepper, and sesame oil. Stir well until dissolved.
4. [4:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=249s) Prepare the batter by adding cornstarch, all-purpose flour, baking soda, neutral oil, and water directly to the marinated chicken and mixing until coated.
5. [4:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=270s) Mince a clove of garlic and place toasted sesame seeds in a small bowl.
6. [4:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=275s) Heat oil in a wok to around 335°F.
7. [5:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=307s) Fry the battered chicken pieces in batches for 5 to 6 minutes until crispy, then remove and let rest.
8. [6:31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=391s) Make a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch and water in a small bowl.
9. [6:07](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=367s) Reheat the oil in the wok and perform a second fry of the chicken pieces for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then remove.
10. [6:35](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=395s) Heat a tablespoon of oil in the wok and sauté the minced garlic.
11. [7:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=422s) Pour the prepared sauce into the wok and bring to a simmer.
12. [7:14](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=434s) Stir in the cornstarch slurry gradually to thicken the sauce.
13. [7:23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=443s) Add the fried chicken to the wok and toss to coat thoroughly in the sauce.
14. [7:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_VjthZbUpE&t=450s) Transfer the chicken to a serving plate and garnish with toasted sesame seeds.

## Equipment

- wok
- cutting board
- cleaver
- mixing bowls
- measuring cup
- spatula
- skimmer
- thermometer
- cast iron skillet

## What the video didn't say

- Servings not stated
- Total time not stated

Source page: https://recipesmd.com/v/the-woks-of-life-sesame-chicken