In the mood for Chinese food? Don’t order out. Try this easy recipe at home. [Photos by Kim Gehling]

There are nights when nothing sounds better than takeout. For our family, those cravings usually point in one direction: Chinese food.

Recently, instead of opting for ordering, I decided to bring those flavors into our own kitchen with this Citrus Sesame Chicken.

This dish has all the flavors you’d expect from your favorite takeout order. Bite-sized pieces of chicken are lightly coated and cooked until golden, then tossed in a flavorful sauce.

Everything comes together in about 30 minutes, which makes it perfect for a weeknight. There is no deep frying, just a quick cook in a skillet, so it feels a little lighter while still giving you the great flavor. We served it over warm rice with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onions.

Sometimes we are just in the mood for Chinese food, and this one is a great way to satisfy that craving without leaving the house.

From our kitchen to yours — enjoy!

Citrus Sesame Chicken

Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1½ lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 4 T. low-sodium soy sauce, divided
  • ¼ c. all-purpose flour
  • 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • 2 garlic cloves, grated
  • Zest and juice of 1 orange
  • 2 T. hoisin sauce
  • 2 T. rice vinegar
  • 1 to 2 t. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 T. toasted sesame oil
  • 2 T. olive oil
  • 2 green onions, chopped, plus more for serving
  • Cooked white or brown rice, for serving
  • 2 T. toasted sesame seeds, for serving

Instructions

– In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 2 T. of the soy sauce and the flour until evenly coated.
– In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 T. soy sauce, ginger, garlic, orange zest and juice, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, and sesame oil.
– Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
–Pour in the sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken, about 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the green onions.
–Serve over rice and top with additional green onions and sesame seeds.