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🥢 Make restaurant-style sesame chicken at home with this Air Fryer Sesame Chicken! It’s golden, crunchy, and tossed in sweet, savory sesame sauce.

Overhead shot of a bowl of crispy air fryer sesame chicken topped with sesame seeds and green onions, surrounded by sesame seeds, rice, and fresh green onions.

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Sesame Chicken

If you love sesame chicken from your favorite takeout spot, this recipe is for you. With the air fryer, you can make a crispy and flavorful sesame chicken recipe at home without all the oil. Juicy chicken bites get coated and cooked until golden, then tossed in a sweet sesame sauce that makes this dish irresistible.

When it comes to Asian chicken recipes, this one is quick, easy, and family-approved. Whether you need a weeknight dinner or are looking for an easy sesame chicken recipe that tastes like restaurant food, this version is the perfect choice. If you have ever searched for a recipe for sesame chicken that is healthier but still delicious, this one checks all the boxes.

⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Crispy without deep frying
  • Healthier than takeout versions
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients
  • Quick enough for busy nights
  • Family-friendly and kid-approved
  • A must-try if you love Asian chicken recipes
Overhead shot of raw chicken pieces in a glass bowl surrounded by small bowls of sesame chicken ingredients like ketchup, soy sauce, cornstarch, garlic, ginger, green onions, sesame seeds, and seasonings on a marble surface.

🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions

  • chicken breasts – substitute with boneless chicken thighs for more flavor and tenderness
  • cornstarch – substitute with potato starch, rice flour, cassava flour, or all-purpose flour mixed with baking powder
  • kosher salt – adjust to taste
  • garlic cloves – garlic powder can be used instead
  • ginger – use grated fresh ginger or ground ginger
  • soy sauce – substitute with tamari or liquid aminos for gluten-free
  • brown sugar – honey can be used instead
  • white vinegar – rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar also works
  • sesame oil – essential for flavor, usually in the international aisle
  • ketchup – tomato paste plus sugar can be used if needed
  • water – balances the sauce consistency
  • sesame seeds – garnish for flavor and crunch
  • green onions – optional garnish for freshness

✨ Variations

  • Add spice with sriracha, red pepper flakes, or chili paste.
  • Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for more flavor.
  • Swap ketchup with hoisin sauce for a deeper taste.
  • Add orange zest or juice for a twist on classic sesame chicken.
Close-up of raw chicken chunks in a glass bowl topped with minced garlic and grated ginger.
Glass bowl filled with chicken chunks mixed with garlic and ginger, ready to be marinated.
Chicken chunks in a glass bowl covered with a generous layer of white cornstarch before tossing.
Raw chicken pieces coated in cornstarch in a glass bowl, fully covered and ready for air frying.
Chicken pieces coated in cornstarch arranged in a single layer inside an air fryer basket, sprayed lightly with oil.
Crispy golden chicken pieces in the air fryer basket after cooking, showing a crunchy texture.
Saucepan filled with thick, glossy homemade sesame chicken sauce simmering on a stovetop.
Crispy chicken pieces in a glass bowl topped with freshly made sesame sauce before tossing.
Finished sesame chicken in a glass bowl coated with sauce and sprinkled with sesame seeds, ready to serve.

🔥 Tips

  • Keep chicken in a single layer for the crispiest texture.
  • Spray with cooking spray to achieve a similar effect to deep-frying.
  • Always ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Let the sauce thicken before tossing the chicken, allowing it to coat evenly.

❓ FAQs

Is this a beginner-friendly sesame chicken recipe?

Yes, this sesame chicken recipe is straightforward and easy to follow. The air fryer makes it foolproof.

What can I serve with this recipe for sesame chicken?

Rice, noodles, stir-fried vegetables, or even lettuce wraps pair perfectly.

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Store the chicken and sauce separately, then combine when ready to serve.

Can I double this sesame chicken recipe?

Yes, but cook in batches so the chicken has space in the air fryer to crisp properly.

What’s the best way to get the sauce to stick to the chicken?

Ensure the sauce is thickened before adding the chicken. A simmer of 2-3 minutes helps it cling beautifully.

Can I use frozen chicken?

It’s best to use thawed chicken for even cooking, but if using frozen chicken, thaw it completely before coating.

Chopsticks holding a piece of sesame chicken showing the juicy cooked inside, with rice and more chicken blurred in the background.

🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy

Square crop of a bowl filled with saucy sesame chicken, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, styled with rice and fresh garnishes on the side.
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Servings: 4 servings

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

By Jamie Sherman
Air Fryer Sesame Chicken delivers golden crispy chicken in a sweet sesame glaze. An easy dinner the whole family will love.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
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Equipment

Ingredients 

Chicken

  • 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ teaspoon ginger, minced or grated
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • olive oil cooking spray

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • ¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons distilled vinegar
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ⅓ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, for garnish
  • green onions, sliced (optional)

Instructions 

  • In a large bowl, combine the chicken, salt, garlic, and ginger. Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
    1 pound chicken breasts, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 garlic cloves, ½ teaspoon ginger
  • Add the cornstarch to the chicken and toss until evenly coated.
    1 cup cornstarch
  • Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the chicken in a single layer, spray the tops with cooking spray, and air fry at 375°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping and spraying halfway through, until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
    olive oil cooking spray
  • While the chicken cooks, make the sauce. In a saucepan, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup, water, and cornstarch. Stir and cook until the sauce simmers and thickens.
    1 tablespoon sesame oil, ¼ cup reduced sodium soy sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons distilled vinegar, ½ cup ketchup, ⅓ cup water, 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Remove the chicken from the air fryer and toss with the sauce until fully coated.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if desired. Serve with steamed rice or veggies.
    2 teaspoons sesame seeds, green onions

Notes

🥡 STORAGE

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

♨️ REHEATING

  • Air fryer: 375°F for 3-4 minutes
  • Microwave: 1-2 minutes until heated through
  • Oven: 350°F for 10 minutes

❄️ FREEZING

  • Freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat from frozen in the air fryer (8-10 minutes at 350°F) or in the oven (15-20 minutes at 350°F).

💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS

  • Cook chicken in a single layer so it crisps evenly.
  • Spray well with cooking spray to achieve a similar texture to deep-frying.
  • Let the sauce thicken before tossing with the chicken.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS

  • Oven: Bake coated chicken at 400°F for 20-25 minutes.
  • Stovetop: Pan-fry the chicken in a skillet with a little oil until golden, then toss it with the sauce.

♻️ LEFTOVERS

  • Use leftovers in lettuce wraps.
  • Serve over fried rice or noodles.
  • Add to stir-fries or stuff into sandwiches.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25g, Calories: 391kcal, Carbohydrates: 54g, Protein: 26g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 73mg, Sodium: 1567mg, Potassium: 591mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 20g, Vitamin A: 188IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 41mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Jamie

Jamie Sherman founded Love Bakes Good Cakes in February 2012. She is a self-taught home cook passionate about sharing easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes. From comforting classics to irresistible desserts, I believe homemade food brings people together. Join me on my journey of creating and sharing meals that bring joy to every table!

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2 Comments

  1. Rosemary Reagan says:

    I really like your recipes & I have copied several of them! Please keep sharing them! Thank you!

    Reply
    1. Jamie says:

      Thank you so much, Rosemary! I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipes.

      Reply