Sesame Chicken with Bok Choy & Jasmine Rice

Sesame Chicken

with Bok Choy & Jasmine Rice

2 Servings

From the Test Kitchen

Tonight's take on takeout makes for easy, hearty weeknight fare. To give the chicken its characteristic flavor, we're employing sesame two ways. Nutty sesame oil adds depth to our savory sauce, while black and white sesame seeds bring pleasant crunch (and make for an elegant garnish). Sautéed bok choy and a bed of fluffy jasmine rice and round out this satisfying dinner.

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  • Nutrition

    PER SERVING

  • Calories

    620 Cals (est.)

tried-and-true

kitchen tools

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tips & techniques

step-by-step

instructions

Cook the rice:

1 Cook the rice:

In a small pot, combine the rice, a big pinch of salt and 1 cup of water; heat to boiling on high. Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook 12 to 14 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove from heat and fluff the cooked rice with a fork. Stir in ¼ of the vinegar.

Prepare the ingredients:

2 Prepare the ingredients:

Cook the bok choy:

3 Cook the bok choy:

While the rice continues to cook, in a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the bok choy and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bok choy is bright green and slightly wilted. Transfer to a plate and season with salt and pepper to taste. Wipe out the pan.

Coat & cook the chicken:

4 Coat & cook the chicken:

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Add the cornstarch; toss to thoroughly coat. In the same pan, heat a thin layer of oil on high until hot. Once the oil is hot enough that a pinch of cornstarch sizzles immediately when added to the pan, add the coated chicken (shaking off any excess cornstarch) in a single, even layer. Cook 3 to 5 minutes on the first side, or until golden brown. Turn and cook, without stirring, 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.

Finish the chicken & bok choy:

5 Finish the chicken & bok choy:

Reduce the heat to medium-high. To the pan, add the cooked bok choy, white bottoms of the scallions, soy glaze, remaining vinegar, sesame oil, half the sesame seeds, ¼ cup of water and as much of the red pepper flakes as you'd like, depending on how spicy you'd like the dish to be. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until well combined and the chicken and bok choy are thoroughly coated. Remove from heat; season with salt and pepper to taste.

Plate your dish:

6 Plate your dish:

Divide the cooked rice and finished chicken and bok choy between 2 dishes. Garnish with the green tops of the scallions and remaining sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Cook the rice:

1 Cook the rice:

In a small pot, combine the rice, a big pinch of salt and 1 cup of water; heat to boiling on high. Once boiling, cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook 12 to 14 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove from heat and fluff the cooked rice with a fork. Stir in ¼ of the vinegar.

2 Prepare the ingredients:

Prepare the ingredients:

Cook the bok choy:

3 Cook the bok choy:

While the rice continues to cook, in a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the bok choy and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bok choy is bright green and slightly wilted. Transfer to a plate and season with salt and pepper to taste. Wipe out the pan.

4 Coat & cook the chicken:

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Add the cornstarch; toss to thoroughly coat. In the same pan, heat a thin layer of oil on high until hot. Once the oil is hot enough that a pinch of cornstarch sizzles immediately when added to the pan, add the coated chicken (shaking off any excess cornstarch) in a single, even layer. Cook 3 to 5 minutes on the first side, or until golden brown. Turn and cook, without stirring, 2 to 3 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.

Coat & cook the chicken:

Finish the chicken & bok choy:

5 Finish the chicken & bok choy:

Reduce the heat to medium-high. To the pan, add the cooked bok choy, white bottoms of the scallions, soy glaze, remaining vinegar, sesame oil, half the sesame seeds, ¼ cup of water and as much of the red pepper flakes as you'd like, depending on how spicy you'd like the dish to be. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until well combined and the chicken and bok choy are thoroughly coated. Remove from heat; season with salt and pepper to taste.

6 Plate your dish:

Divide the cooked rice and finished chicken and bok choy between 2 dishes. Garnish with the green tops of the scallions and remaining sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Plate your dish: