Sesame Chicken with Fried Rice

I'm trying to make sure we're eating healthier, but I don't want Josh to feel like we're on a diet. Sometimes, especially on the weekends, I like to treat us to a slightly healthier version of a guilty dinner. Josh has been wanting Chinese all week but I know the calories are through the roof. I decided to make Sesame Chicken, one of his favorite Chinese dishes, at home! I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and made a few tweaks...nothing major. Here's my version below.

Sesame Chicken

Ingredients

- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

- 2 Tablespoons cornstarch

- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

- 2 tablespoons water

- 1 teaspoon roasted sesame oil

- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed

1 quart Canola oil for frying

2 tablespoons sesame seeds

For the sauce:

- 1 cup chicken broth

- 3/4 cup brown sugar

- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

- 2 tablespoons soy sauce

- 2 tablespoons roasted sesame oil

- 1 clove garlic, minced

- dash of hot sauce

- 1/4 cup cornstarch 

- 1/2 cup water

Directions

1 - Sift flour, cornstarch, baking soda and baking powder into a bowl. Pour in low-sodium soy sauce, water and roasted sesame oil; stir until smooth. Coat chicken with batter, cover, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.

2 - Bring chicken broth, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, hot sauce and garlic to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Dissolve 1/4 cup cornstarch into 1/2 cup water and whisk into boiling sauce. Simmer for a few minutes, until the sauce thickens and the sauce is no longer cloudy. Reduce to low and keep warm.

3 - Heat canola oil to 375 in a deep fryer or large saucepan.

4 - Drop in the battered chicken pieces in small batches and fry until they turn golden brown and float to the top of the oil. This should take no longer than 4 minutes. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. Top with sauce and sesame seeds. 

I served this over fried rice. I found this recipe at Slender Kitchen and adapted it a little. 

Fried Rice

Ingredients

- 2 cups cooked, cold rice (day old if possible)

- Nonstick cooking spray

- 2 teaspoons roasted sesame oil

- 1/2 cup Egg Beaters

- Dash of pepper

- 1 large carrot, grated

- 1/2 cup sweet peas

- 2 cloves garlic, minced

- 2 tablespoons soy sauce

Directions

1 - Heat pan over medium high heat. Spray with non-stick cooking spray and scramble egg beaters, adding pepper. Remove from pan.

2 - Add the sesame oil, carrots, sweet peas and garlic to the pan and cook for 1-2 minutes.

3 - Add the rice and cook for 2-4 more minutes, stirring constantly, until the rice begins to crisp a little.

4 - Add the soy sauce and egg. Stir together and cook for 1 more minute.

It was very good. The fried rice was delicious! The chicken was very good too, but I think it may have been better with peanut oil.