Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken is crispy and coated in a delicious sweet sticky sesame sauce! There is no guilt with this healthier air fryer meal!

This quick air fryer sesame chicken is done in less than 30 minutes and incredibly easy to make. It's so delicious you'll forget it's not takeout, and that it is healthier than the typically fried version of the dish. Serve the sesame chicken alongside delicious Chinese Broccoli & Zucchini and over a bed of rice or cauliflower rice!

Meal plan with this easy sesame chicken recipe for a busy weeknight, and then don't worry about what's for dinner. It's simple to make in the air fryer, and it's done in less than 25 minutes from start to finish.

How to make Air Fryer Sesame Chicken:

**scroll down for full ingredients list and printable directions**

• Prep the ingredients and have them ready to go!
• A couple at a time, coat the chicken in the egg, then dip into the cornstarch, making sure to coat each piece evenly on all sides. Repeat for all of the chicken.

• Preheat the air fryer for a few minutes at 400 degrees. Then open and spray the base of the air fryer with oil spray (I like this sprayer), and place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer (you may have to do more than one batch depending on the size of your air fryer). Lightly spray the top of the chicken with oil spray.
• Cook the chicken at 400F for 8 minutes, then carefully flip the chicken pieces over. Cook an additional 3-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F on an instant read thermometer. Remove the chicken.

• While the chicken is cooking, you can make the sauce:
  • Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook on medium-high heat until the sauce thickens slightly-- about 4-5 minutes. 

• Place the sauce in a bowl with the cooked chicken. Toss to combine. Serve as desired and garnish with green onions.

What is sesame sauce?

Sesame sauce is a delicious sweet asian inspired sauce. It's a combination of soy sauce, garlic, toasted sesame oil, lime juice and sesame seeds. The sesame sauce is so tasty and good on everything from chicken and tofu to vegetables and noodles!

How to store leftovers:

• Store: If by chance you have leftover chicken, which is unusual, you can save them in your fridge in an airtight container for three or four days. 
• Freeze: Why not make extra and freeze them for easy thaw and heat the sesame chicken later. You can keep them in the freezer for up to 90 days. Just freeze without the sauce and make the sauce when needed.
• Reheat: When you are ready to serve this delicious air fryer sesame chicken, just defrost in the fridge overnight, then heat them in the air fryer at 400 degrees F for 5-7 minutes. 

Now that the chicken is ready, here are some great options to serve alongside the meal...

What to serve with Sesame Chicken:

• Asian Salad is a healthy side dish to serve alongside this meal.
• Air Fryer Roasted Broccoli is easy, quick, and healthy to accompany this dinner!
• Quinoa Fried Rice is a healthier version of fried rice that pair well with this quick dinner.
• Chinese Broccoli & Zucchini is a great side to serve alongside the chicken.
• Asian Glazed Brussels Sprouts pair so well with this dinner!
• One Pot Spicy Thai Noodles is an asian inspired noodle dish that would be great alongside this sesame chicken.
• A bowl of steamed white rice or iced cauliflower for lower carb option.

What type of Air Fryer should I use for this recipe?

There are many Air Fryers to choose from, but I love my PowerXL Vortex Air fryer! Here are some other great options:

• Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven, 6 Quart: 6-in-1, Broil, Roast, Dehydrate, Bake, Non-stick and Dishwasher-Safe Basket, Stainless Steel
• COSORI Air Fryer 5.8QT - Large Hot Electric Oven Oilless Cooker with 8 Quick Setting Recommendation

5 from 8 votes

Print

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

11 mins

Total Time

21 mins

 

Air Fryer Sesame Chicken is crispy and coated in a delicious sweet sticky sesame sauce! There is no guilt with this healthier air fryer meal!

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: air fryer sesame chicken

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 337 kcal

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1” cubes
• 2 eggs beaten
• ¾ cup cornstarch

For the Sesame Sauce

• ½ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

To serve:

• Green onion or parsley for garnish

Instructions

For the Chicken

1. Preheat the air fryer at 400F for five minutes.
2. Coat chicken pieces with the beaten egg, then dip chicken into cornstarch, making sure to coat each piece evenly on all sides. Tap off any excess cornstarch.
3. Spray the base of the air fryer with oil spray, then place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer. Lightly spray the top of the chicken with oil spray.
4. Cook the chicken at 400F for 8 minutes, then carefully flip the chicken pieces over. Cook an additional 3-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F on an instant read thermometer. Remove the chicken.

For the Sesame Sauce

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat until the sauce thickens slightly-- about 4-5 minutes.
2. Place the sauce in a bowl with the cooked chicken; Toss to combine.

To serve:

1. Garnish with green onions and/or parsley. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

Makes at least 4 servings. 337 calories per serving*.

*Calculate nutrition facts based off the specific ingredients used.