番茄炒蛋 · Fān qié chǎo dàn
Tomato & Egg Stir-fry
Soft eggs, juicy tomatoes, and a little sauce to spoon over rice. A comforting place to begin your Chinese cooking journey.
Chicken with a sweet soy glaze and toasted sesame seeds. The seeds are added after the sauce thickens to keep their fragrance.

Pat the chicken dry with kitchen paper. Toss with salt, then coat evenly with starch. Keep raw-food utensils separate.
Heat measured oil in a small heavy pan to about 175°C; use a thermometer. Fry in uncrowded batches, turning, until crisp, usually 6–8 minutes. Chicken must reach 74°C in its centre. Lift out onto a rack. Never leave hot oil unattended.
Simmer soy sauce, honey, vinegar, and water in a clean pan for 1 minute. Mix sauce starch with cold water, stir in, and simmer until slightly thickened.
Add the cooked chicken to the finished sauce and fold for 20–30 seconds. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the coated pieces.
Keep the cooked pieces on a rack, not in a covered bowl. A long soak in sauce softens the coating.
Chicken thigh: Chicken breast works; cut evenly and check its temperature to avoid overcooking.
Chicken must reach 74°C / 165°F in the thickest part. Keep raw poultry and cooked food separate.
FoodSafety.gov guidance ↗