Here’s a recipe for making Halal Sesame Chicken, a popular dish known for its sweet and savory flavor with a hint of nuttiness from sesame seeds. This recipe ensures that all ingredients are Halal-compliant.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (Halal-certified)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup cold water
- Vegetable oil for frying (use Halal-certified oil)
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (make sure it’s Halal-certified)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (ensure it’s Halal)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (to thicken the sauce)
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
Prepare the Chicken Batter:
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and pepper.
- Gradually add the cold water while whisking until you get a smooth, thick batter.
- Toss the chicken pieces in the batter, ensuring they are well coated.
Fry the Chicken:
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. You’ll need enough oil to submerge the chicken pieces.
- Once the oil is hot (around 350°F or 175°C), carefully add the battered chicken pieces in batches. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 5-6 minutes per batch.
- Remove the chicken from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Make the Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the sauce starts to simmer.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to thicken the sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.
Combine Chicken and Sauce:
- Once the sauce is ready, add the fried chicken pieces to the saucepan. Toss to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
- Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the chicken and toss again.
Serve:
- Serve the sesame chicken hot, garnished with chopped green onions if desired.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.
Tips:
- Soy Sauce: Ensure that the soy sauce is Halal-certified, as some may contain alcohol or other non-Halal ingredients.
- Rice Vinegar: Check that the rice vinegar is Halal. If unsure, you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice.
- Sesame Oil: Sesame oil adds a nutty flavor, but make sure it’s from a Halal source.
- Frying Oil: Use vegetable oil or any other Halal-certified oil for frying.
This recipe will give you crispy, flavorful sesame chicken that is fully Halal and perfect for serving at home. Enjoy!