Crispy Sesame Chicken with Sesame Sauce (Air Fry or Baked!)
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Whenever I make this Crispy Sesame Chicken it disappears almost immediately. It’s that good!
This sesame chicken is healthier than any of the deep fried chicken recipes you may get out at Chinese restaurants. What could be better than this homemade chicken goodness with a healthy serving of these sesame udon noodles right now?
Making a meal from scratch is much more satisfying than ordering takeout.
This post will show you how to make sesame chicken using my foolproof, neat, easy method! And like I said, better than takeout!
Oh, and I can’t forget…
The delectable sesame sauce that gets lathered on the chicken is so good and easy to make too.
You might have most of the ingredients for the sauce in your pantry already. It has some pantry staples like sesame oil, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar and sesame seeds.
Basically this Crispy Sesame Chicken is all good things we love about a fuss-free weeknight dinner:
- Easy to make
- Ultra flavorful
- Saucy, crispy, crunchy, yummy
- Healthyish
- Protein-rich
- Can be used for rice bowls or sliced for salads (hello, Chopped Chicken Salad!)
Some of my other takeout favorites to make at home are my Easy Mongolian Beef, Healthy Orange Chicken, and Weeknight Cashew Chicken Stir Fry.
Here’s the line up for Crispy Sesame Chicken
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
- Chicken tenders, chicken cutlets or chicken thighs
- Flour
- Eggs
- Japanese Panko Breadcrumbs
- Sesame Seeds
- Salt and Pepper
You’ll bake until chicken is golden brown, coat the chicken in the sauce and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.
The result? Tasty, super easy, crispy sesame chicken yumminess ready to be enjoyed!
How to make sesame chicken
Honestly you guys, it’s so simple.
Use this foolproof method for the perfect results every time you’re breading chicken.
(For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card below)
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and place a rack on top of the baking sheet. Spray with non-stick spray.
- Set up the dredging station: you’ll need 3 shallow dishes. (flour, eggs, Panko)
- Place the chicken tender in the flour first, flipping from side to side to coat. Then place in the egg wash, then place in the Panko breadcrumbs. Gently press breadcrumbs onto chicken to adhere.
- Transfer chicken to prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining chicken.
- Bake (or air fry!) chicken and make the sauce while it’s in the oven.
- Brush sauce over chicken, garnish with green onions and additional sesame seeds if desired and enjoy.
I love baking/air frying the sesame chicken instead of deep frying because
- The cooking process is simplified & neat & not as messy compared to frying in hot oil
- The chicken is nice and crispy is never gummy
- The breading stays on and doesn’t fall off!
Tips to making the best crispy sesame chicken
- Buy chicken tenderloins (chicken fingers/chicken tenders) so you don’t have to fuss with cutting a chicken breast.
- Organize your ingredients: Neatly arrange the shallow bowls from left to right: flour, egg, Panko breadcrumbs. Be sure you have the sheet pan prepped. As you bread the chicken you can place them directly on the sheet pan.
- Bake the chicken! No need to deal with hot, splashing oil on the stove. Bake them in the oven on a sheet pan and they will still get nice & crispy.
- OK – healthy, baked, crispy sesame chicken recipe – GO!
FAQ
What internal temperature should be chicken be cooked at?
Chicken is considered safe to eat at an internal temperature of 165°F
What do you serve with chicken tenders?
We love these sesame chicken tenders with fried rice, steamed rice, roasted veggies, or ramen noodles, potstickers, asparagus.
How do you remove the tendon from the chicken strip?
Simply use a paring knife or hold the tendon with one hand and use the tines of a fork in between the tendon and chicken and pull on the tendon until it’s removed.
Can I make these in the air fryer?
Yes! 400°F for ~6 minutes per side, flipping halfway through, or until outsides are crispy and golden and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Crispy Sesame Chicken
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1 1/2 lb. chicken tenders or chicken cutlets
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds
For the sauce
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. canola oil
- 2 Tbsp. sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. brown sugar or honey
- 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds
- 1 tsp. ginger, minced
- 1 tsp. garlic, crushed
- 1 tsp. chili garlic sauce
- 1/4 tsp. salt and pepper
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 1 Tbsp. water
Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and place a rack on top of the baking sheet. Spray with non-stick spray.
- Set up the dredging station: you'll need 3 shallow dishes or bowls. In the first dish, combine the flour salt and pepper. Beat the eggs in the second dish and in the third dish combine the Panko and sesame seeds.2 large eggs, whisked, 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper, 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs, 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds
- Dip chicken tender in flour first and coat both sides. Then dunk in the egg and finally in the breadcrumb mix pressing the crumbs to adhere. Place on the prepped baking sheet and repeat process with remaining chicken.1 1/2 lb. chicken tenders or chicken cutlets
- Bake for 20 minutes or until chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- To air fry: 400°F for ~12 minutes, flipping halfway through at the 6 minute mark, or until outsides are crispy and golden and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- While the chicken bakes, make the sesame sauce. Whisk all of the ingredients (from soy sauce to salt & pepper) for the sauce together in a measuring cup or large bowl.1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 Tbsp. canola oil, 2 Tbsp. sesame oil, 2 Tbsp. rice vinegar, 1 Tbsp. brown sugar or honey, 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds, 1 tsp. ginger, minced, 1 tsp. garlic, crushed, 1 tsp. chili garlic sauce, 1/4 tsp. salt and pepper
- Pour sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the sauce to a simmer. Then in a small ramekin, combine the cornstarch and water. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into the sauce and whisk until sauce thickens. If sauce seems too thick, add filtered water until a desired consistency is desired.1 Tbsp. cornstarch, 1 Tbsp. water
- Spread the sauce over the cooked chicken and garnish with more sesame seeds and green onions. Serve as is or with your favorite sides, we love roasted broccoli and rice!
Equipment
Video
Notes
- Can use chicken tenders, some grocery stores like Sprouts sell them this way. Or, use chicken breasts and slice in half horizontally so you have two cutlets.
- If you’re sensitive to salt, feel free to not add any salt in to the sauce. If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add in a little more honey or brown sugar to it.
- You can bake the chicken directly on a baking sheet if you’d like, just be sure to spread an even layer of olive oil down the the baking sheet. Flip chicken tenders halfway through and add more olive oil if any chicken starts to stick to the pan.
- Store chicken properly in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
Easy recipe and delicious.
So easy to make and super crispy – thanks for an easy family dinner.
Thank you so much! Now I am craving them 🙂
Love the chicken but my sauce separated (oil). I followed the recipe to the ‘T.’
??♀️What did I do wrong?
Hi Joy. I am so sorry this happened. Perhaps the sauce got too hot on the stove when you brought it to a simmer. That is my only guess. Once again so sorry. xo, Tawnie
Delicious!! We added extra brown sugar/ honey and less of the chili paste. My family gobbled it up! I will never order it again from a restaurant! So much better making it at home! Thank you for posting!
Delicious!! We added extra brown sugar/ honey and less of the chili paste. My family gobbled it up! I will never order it again from a restaurant! So much better making it at home!
I am so glad Linda! Thank you!!
I’m totally drooling over here. Sesame chicken is my absolute favorite and this looks amazing. Making this right away!
Thank you so much Andrea! I hope you love it 🙂 xo, Tawnie
I cannot wait to try this recipe. The aromas from that sauce are practically jumping off the screen at me right now.
Aw yay! Thank you so much Pam, I hope you love it! xo, Tawnie
Made this for dinner and it was delicious! It was perfectly crispy and tender. And the sauce was to die for!
Yay! Thank you so much Emily I am glad you loved it. xo, Tawnie
I had everything to make these! they were so crispy and delicious
Awesome, I am glad you already had everything on hand. Thank you so much! 🙂 xo, Tawnie
I love the crunchy coating for these chicken tenders, but it’s really that sesame glaze that takes me over the edge. YUM!
Thank you so much Lisa!