Mary KellyYou’re about to dig into a plate of PF Chang’s Sesame Chicken. The golden crust glistens under the restaurant lights, and the aroma dances through the air. You want the perfect companions to elevate the experience, right?
Consider serving this dish with some light jasmine rice. Its delicate flavor won’t overshadow the chicken but will absorb the delicious sesame sauce. Alternatively, steamed broccoli offers a crisp contrast, providing a healthy balance. For an extra crunch, throw in some spring rolls on the side. The combination of textures creates excitement on your plate.
Now, let’s dive into the flavorful world of PF Chang’s Sesame Chicken
Ah, PF Chang’s Sesame Chicken! This dish has captured hearts and taste buds for many years. I remember the first time I tasted it. The crunch of the chicken, the sweetness of the sauce, and the perfect hint of sesame—it was unforgettable. If you’ve ever craved comfort food that’s also a little adventurous, this is the dish for you.
With roots in American-Chinese cuisine, PF Chang’s has taken traditional flavors and made them accessible and enjoyable. This dish is a combination of crispy chicken and a sweet and savory sauce that invites you in for a second helping.
In this story, I’ll take you through the details of PF Chang’s Sesame Chicken, from its flavor profile to cooking it at home, and even storage tips. Let’s get cooking!
What is PF Chang’s Sesame Chicken?
PF Chang’s Sesame Chicken is a glorious dish that combines battered and fried chicken with a luscious sesame sauce. It plays a vital role on their menu, standing out for its delightful balance of flavors. The textures play together beautifully, forming a dish that keeps you wanting more.
The chicken is coated in a light batter and fried to crispy perfection. Meanwhile, the sesame sauce lends a rich, tasty sweetness with just a hint of tangy soy sauce. The dish is often garnished with toasted sesame seeds and scallions. In short, it’s a dance of flavors and textures that’s as exciting as a first date.
What is the Flavor Profile of This Dish?
The flavor profile of PF Chang’s Sesame Chicken is a delightful festival for your palate. Here’s how I break it down:
- Sweetness: The dark brown sugar in the sauce contributes a rich sweetness that makes each bite feel indulgent.
- Umami: Soy sauce adds depth and savory notes that appeal to those umami cravings.
- Savoriness: The toasted sesame oil and seeds offer nutty undertones, making the dish satisfying and hearty.
- Tang: Rice vinegar brightens the flavors, cutting through the sweetness and adding a tangy element that keeps things refreshing.
- Heat: A pinch of chili flakes gives it just enough heat to warm your taste buds without overpowering the other flavors.
All these elements make for a fabulous experience, one that I can never resist.
Why You’ll Love This
Let’s be honest. Who doesn’t love a dish that truly satisfies both hunger and cravings? PF Chang’s Sesame Chicken is versatile. It’s perfect for special occasions, family dinners, or just a casual Friday night in.
This dish is also relatively easy to prepare at home, allowing you to impress your friends or family without causing a kitchen meltdown. And once you take that first bite, you’ll be hooked. You’ll relish the crunch, the sweetness, and the warmth, feeling like a culinary ninja was operating in your kitchen.
Ingredients
Let’s gather what we need before diving into the process:
Chicken Marinade
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 large egg white
- 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon white pepper
- 1 tablespoon water
For Frying
- ⅔ cup cornstarch
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Sesame Sauce
- 5 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Stir-fry
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (neutral oil)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- ½ small onion, diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by marinating the chicken. In a bowl, mix the egg white, soy sauce, white pepper, and water. It should create a slightly frothy concoction. Toss in the chicken cubes and coat them thoroughly. Cover and let it sit for about 30 minutes. This step infuses the chicken with flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Battering Station
In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, and baking powder. Mix them well. This will give your chicken that desired crunch. Set up a frying station with this dry mix ready to go.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
After marinating, take each piece of chicken and coat it in the flour mixture. Make sure each piece is well-covered. This is what creates that delightful crunch when we fry it later!
Step 4: Heat the Oil
In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. You know it’s hot enough when a drop of water sizzles when it hits the surface.
Step 5: Fry the Chicken
Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil. Fry them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook until they turn a crispy golden brown, about 5-6 minutes per batch. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb extra oil.
Step 6: Make the Sesame Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the dark brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, water, toasted sesame oil, and cornstarch until smooth.
Step 7: Stir-Fry the Veggies
Using the same skillet, add a bit more oil if necessary. Toss in minced garlic, minced ginger, and your diced onion. Sauté until fragrant. This should take only a minute or two. Next, add the diced red bell pepper and broccoli florets. Stir-fry until they’re tender yet crisp, typically around 4-5 minutes.
Step 8: Combine Everything
Pour the sesame sauce over the stir-fried veggies. Stir until the sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Finally, add the crispy chicken to the skillet. Give it a good toss to coat everything in that delectable sauce.
Step 9: Garnish and Serve
Remove from heat and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of chili flakes if you like some heat. Serve hot over rice, and you’ve got yourself a feast!
Tips & Tricks
Here are some tips to ensure your dish turns out absolutely scrumptious:
- Use Fresh Ingredients: This enhances the flavors significantly. Fresh ginger and garlic elevate the overall dish.
- Do Not Skip the Marinating: While it’s tempting to rush through this, marinating helps to keep the chicken juicy and flavorful.
- Batch Fry: Fry chicken in small batches. It ensures a crispy coating rather than steaming them.
- Thinly Slice Veggies: This allows them to cook evenly and quickly, preserving that crunch.
- Adjust the Sauce to Taste: Feel free to tweak the sweetness or tanginess to match your preferences. Add more honey for sweetness or vinegar for tang
How Can You Store This PF Chang’s Sesame Chicken?
Storing PF Chang’s Sesame Chicken is straightforward. Here’s how you can do it:
- Refrigerate: Place any leftovers in an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Freeze: If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing. Use a freezer-safe container to store it. It can last up to three months in the freezer.
- Reheat: When reheating, ensure the chicken warms through completely. The microwave works, but I find that the best way is to use a skillet for crispiness.
Alternative Ingredient Choices
Not all of us have every ingredient in our pantry at all times. Here are some alternatives if you’re missing something!
- Chicken: If you don’t have chicken breast, tofu is a fantastic substitute for a vegetarian option. It absorbs the flavors wonderfully when marinated.
- Soy Sauce: Out of soy sauce? Try tamari for a gluten-free option or coconut aminos for a soy-free alternative that still brings that rich taste.
- Rice Vinegar: If rice vinegar is nowhere to be found, apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can work in a pinch, providing acidity and flavor.
Pf Chang’s Sesame Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Start by marinating the chicken. In a bowl, mix the egg white, soy sauce, white pepper, and water. It should create a slightly frothy concoction. Toss in the chicken cubes and coat them thoroughly. Cover and let it sit for about 30 minutes. This step infuses the chicken with flavor.
- In a separate bowl, combine cornstarch, flour, and baking powder. Mix them well. This will give your chicken that desired crunch. Set up a frying station with this dry mix ready to go.
- After marinating, take each piece of chicken and coat it in the flour mixture. Make sure each piece is well-covered. This is what creates that delightful crunch when we fry it later!
- In a large skillet or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. You know it’s hot enough when a drop of water sizzles when it hits the surface.
- Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil. Fry them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook until they turn a crispy golden brown, about 5-6 minutes per batch. Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb extra oil.
- In a bowl, whisk together the dark brown sugar, soy sauce, rice vinegar, water, toasted sesame oil, and cornstarch until smooth.
- Using the same skillet, add a bit more oil if necessary. Toss in minced garlic, minced ginger, and your diced onion. Sauté until fragrant. This should take only a minute or two. Next, add the diced red bell pepper and broccoli florets. Stir-fry until they’re tender yet crisp, typically around 4-5 minutes.
- Pour the sesame sauce over the stir-fried veggies. Stir until the sauce has thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Finally, add the crispy chicken to the skillet. Give it a good toss to coat everything in that delectable sauce.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of chili flakes if you like some heat. Serve hot over rice, and you’ve got yourself a feast!
Nutrition
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: This enhances the flavors significantly. Fresh ginger and garlic elevate the overall dish.
- Do Not Skip the Marinating: While it’s tempting to rush through this, marinating helps to keep the chicken juicy and flavorful.
- Batch Fry: Fry chicken in small batches. It ensures a crispy coating rather than steaming them.
- Thinly Slice Veggies: This allows them to cook evenly and quickly, preserving that crunch.
- Adjust the Sauce to Taste: Feel free to tweak the sweetness or tanginess to match your preferences. Add more honey for sweetness or vinegar for tang
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
In conclusion, PF Chang’s Sesame Chicken is more than just a meal; it’s an experience that satisfies cravings while offering delightful flavors. The blend of sweetness, savoriness, and crunch creates a dish that resonates with many.
With easy-to-follow steps, you can recreate this beloved dish at home, impress your guests, or treat yourself on a special night.
Now, grab your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to indulge. Your taste buds will thank you, and your kitchen might just become your new favorite restaurant! Enjoy every single bite!
